Writer/Director: Osgood Perkins
Starring: Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage and Alicia Witt
‘Spectacular Thriller’
Few characters in movies attract audiences to theatres like serial killers. Following introduction in the 1990’s, serial killers have played shining roles in movies. Seeing detectives questioning what’s in the box makes for movies which are entertaining. Despite gruesome violence, movies about cannibal serial killers have left audiences in stunned silence. On a personal level, I find movies about killers relatable. Years ago, my family faced sorrow when our housemaid was killed by a psycho. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, she experienced murder. To avoid prison time, her husband committed suicide on the scene of the crime. Arriving on the crime scene too late, it was a murder police couldn’t investigate. Like the case of the Zodiac, my housemaid’s murder was a mystery detectives couldn’t crack. Before her murder, she was a person my family would treasure. Fond of taking knives out, she was a person my family cared about. A kind soul, she had a goal. I grew up to value a housekeeper making my dreams come true. However, murder ended bonds forever. My family faced despair losing a person about whom we had come to care. Unable to leave my past behind, memories of murder weighed on my mind. I wondered why my housemaid had to die in a crime ignored by FBI. I wish I hired a detective to inspect death of a housemaid I admired. To overcome trauma, I turned to Cinema. Filmmaking allowed me to overcome mourning. Years later, I treasure serial killer movies reminding me about my housekeeper.
Now, Osgood Perkins commemorates long-lasting appeal of serial killers committing murders in “Longlegs”. An intense, gripping and frightening thriller, it demonstrates crimes committed by serial killers. Osgood Perkins paints a commemorated portrait of psychopathic serial killers detectives investigate. Boasting breathtaking production-design, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a spectacular psychological thriller. Although “Longlegs” is entertaining, it isn’t flawless. It lacks character development, building ambiguous conclusions. Nevertheless, it provides spine-chilling entertainment satisfying fans of serial killer thrillers.
Amidst 1990’s Oregon, “Longlegs” follows a female detective investigating notorious serial killers. Maika Monroe embodies Lee Harkins, an FBI agent haunted by a traumatic incident that occurred years ago. Seeking to forget her childhood, Lee investigates a serial killer called Longlegs (Nicolas Cage) terrorizing her neighbourhood. However, Lee’s investigation becomes a nightmare after discovering personal ties to the killer. As she investigates murders, Lee uncovers secrets that are terrifying.
Osgood Perkins admires horror movies. His film “The Blackcoat’s Daughter” examined high-school students haunted by spirts evoking terror. With “Longlegs”, however, Perkins crafts a serial killer thriller. It’s Perkin’s attempt investigating killers, but he succeeds. Evoking Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”, Perkins uses shifting aspect ratios capturing a serial killer that’s terrifying. For instance, Perkins uses the box-like 4:3 ratio to capture Lee’s frightening memories of childhood. In contrast, widescreen ratio enhances present-day scenes. It sparked memories of a housemaid’s murder puzzling police authorities. Aspect ratios are tricky. Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” suggested condensed aspect ratios elevate shark movies. Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” claimed box-like ratios elevated Hitchcock classics. Nevertheless, it succeeds. Alongside cinematographer Andres Arochi, Perkins demonstrates serial killers. Perkins commemorates serial killers, manufacturing theatrical viewing.
If serial killers don’t attract you to theatres, however, there’s reasons to see “Longlegs”. Alongside editor Greg Ng, Perkins uses cross-cutting capturing murders that are shocking. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the shocking murder scene. During this frightening scene, Lee is shocked to witness murders peering out of windows committed by killers that are terrifying. One admires cross-cutting showcasing shocking murders recalling David Fincher’s “Se7en”. Like Detective Mills’ terror discovering a box, Lee is terrified to discover serial killers’ murder. It reminded me about my shocked reaction to murder of a housemaid I appreciated that was never investigated. Cross-cutting is tricky. Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” suggested cross-cutting elevates comical mysteries. Nevertheless, it succeeds. Moreover, the music is magnificent. Evoking Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners”, it captures serial killers’ murders. Through stunning production, Perkins crafts intriguing investigations.
Another extraordinary aspect of “Longlegs” is storytelling. Perkins’ screenwriting strength is capturing negative impact of murders committed by serial killers by flashbacks. In Hollywood, movies rarely address negative impact of murder organized by killers. As case in point: Kenneth Branagh’s “Murder on the Orient Express” depicted killers committing murder on trains facing disaster. Fortunately, however, “Longlegs” avoids pitfalls. Evoking Jonathan Demme’s “The Silence of the Lambs”, the filmmaker uses flashbacks to capture female detectives haunted by violence. The movie successfully switches simultaneously between Lee’s present-day investigation and memories of her past. It reminded me of grief struggling to recover following death of a housemaid whose brief presence gave me relief. Flashbacks are complicated. Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested flashbacks elevate prison movies. As David Fincher’s “Gone Girl” demonstrated, flashbacks elevate adaptations. Nevertheless, it succeeds. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Perkins commemorates serial killers today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Maika Monroe delivers a career-defining performance as Lee Harkins. Monroe achieved appreciation playing terrified women being followed in horror movies. It’s challenging capturing personality of a tormented female detective solving murder mysteries, but she succeeds. Evoking Rooney Mara in David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, Monroe embodies a determined detective seeking resolving murder mysteries through finding a clue. With commendable expressions, she captures angst, desperation and frustration of a female detective resolving murder investigations. It’s a phenomenal performance.
Nicolas Cage is captivating as a serial killer taking advantage of young girls in murders causing outrage. Evoking Heath Ledger in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight”, Cage embodies a serial killer committing dark crimes at night hidden in plain sight. Whether he’s laughing manically at detectives or taking advantage of girls, Cage uses his commanding voice to portrays a serial killer that’s frightening. It’s a phenomenal performance demonstrating that Cage hasn’t lost abilities to engage.
Finally, “Longlegs” earns everyone’s appreciation for depiction of Zodiac murder investigations. Commemorating David Fincher’s “Zodiac”, the film captures serial killers. Unlike most serial killer movies, the film is relatable. The film discusses universal themes including anxiety, mental health and trauma. It delivers a universal message resonating with everyone experiencing childhood trauma from an early age. Therefore, everyone would appreciate solving “Longleg’s” murder mysteries.
Despite its powerful performances, however, “Longlegs” can’t capture crimes committed by serial killers causing damage. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a compelling ending. It’s an abrupt conclusion that lacks a satisfying resolution. Whereas this ambiguous conclusion enhanced Bong Joon-ho’s “Memories of Murder”, it clashes with this movie. At worst, it perpetuates the dangerous message that serial killers can get away with committing murders without damage. As Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” suggested, ambiguous endings elevate classic Scorsese crime movies. Consequently, “Longlegs” falters.
Nevertheless, fans of murder mysteries would definitely recognize “Longlegs” and so will moviegoers giving acknowledgments to serial killers. A powerful psychological thriller, it proves stories of serial killers taking knives out are worth telling in movies without doubt. A phenomenal portrait of psychopathic serial killers that detectives seeking acknowledgements are determined to investigate, it could educate individuals about criminals experiencing institutionalizations whose lives deteriorate.
A frightening portrayal of shocking murders committed by serial killers in overlooked hotels which are shining, it’s a terrifying reminder of films earning a following by portraying grim crimes killers are committing.
Like frightening contents of boxes causing detectives to face fear, it’s a spectacular reminder of movies which have achieved success by depicting the painful burden that seven deadly sins killers bear.
If movies can capture experience of serial killers committing murders that leave FBI agents in silence, hopefully it will motivate greater interest in the twisted psyche of criminals committing violence.
As strong as murders Longlegs has committed, it has incited me to move on years after murder of a housekeeper my family appreciated which police never investigated by celebrating movies that inspired me to cope with tragedy proving unexpected.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 