This was the cinematographer's DEBUT?!? I saw Longlegs last night (also in a packed theater) and couldn't believe how good the movie looked. Very impressive and I hope this guy gets a lot more work in the future because it's well deserved.
Yeah it was. I don’t think Perkins, is very good at hiding the mystery, or with past movies, its mood over substance. I knew what the twist was, very quickly, and even saw the supernatural aspect, far too soon. I thought Monroe did very well, and Cage was perfect as that character. I just think giving him supernatural powers, with just _satan gives followers powers_ being the explanation, was lazy writing. It would’ve been a better movie, had they shown him pull it off, without powers from Satan. I liked it better, than when k first watched The Blackcoats Daughter, which was also mostly mood, over what is actually happening. It’s a long way to go, just to connect two completely different looking people, who are only 8 years apart in age. It’s a lazy tactic to use, just so the audience doesn’t immediately know who they both are. Shipka is excellent, and Roberts gave one of the few performances, that I’ve ever enjoyed from her. Longlegs was just the right length, but I don’t think it’s a classic, because anyone who watches a lot of movies, and/or has read a lot of books, can see everything that’s happening, very early on, and then Monroe’s character, just stands and watches so many get killed, before she finally starts taking down threats, only for us to know he’s within her now, snd she’s taking over the work.
“For me the setup was really what drew me into the film. The payoff was a little bit of a letdown but not to the extent that it tanks my opinion on the film.” Completely agree with this statement. Still really enjoyed the film though.
100% agreed I loved the movie and the build up I was expecting a different type of ending but I think hopefully since there’s still a handful of questions left we get a part 2 aka part 4, 5,… 6
@@samwell60 and I know it’s usually cliche to say this but I haven’t been on the edge of my seat and anxious and all the emotions and feelings people are supposed to feel during a scary movie in a long time honestly maybe since barbarian but even then it was more thriller to me than horror …LONGLEGS has given me some long nightmares
I'm happy the movie is working for a lot of people but it didn't work for me. You said the resolution of the film will make or break the film and for me it broke it. For a movie to be such a slow burn the ending needs to leave an impact whether that be catharsis, awe or devastation and the the ending just didn't evoke much for me. Without spoiling i could see where the ending conflict would take place from a mile away, and right before that the movie basically just sits and explains to you the plot for 5 minutes so you understand how it all work so it really took me out of it. Ill appreciate it for its technical aspects and performances which are top notch i just wish the story lived up to it.
The explanation was convoluted af. Felt like trying to explain a pyramid scheme where the ultimate goal is murder lol. This movie needed a better conclusion. God I hated where the story went so much lol.
Oh you have an age appropriate daughter with a birthday coming up... Word. No way that's coming back up at all. Also the locked door and her mom asking about the prayers... This movie's plot is anything but subtle. Some of the writing felt stiff, not sure if it was the delivery or what but I often went "... Okay?". It felt like someone wanted to combine hereditary, the witch, and seven but didn't really know how to capitalize on what made those movies special in that movie smoothie. (I haven't seen silence of the lambs so maybe that should be in there too). The ending also confuses me as to what the goal is now that longlegs is dead. Who's going to make the dolls now? Do the dolls matter? Seems like the point is really to get the cursed sphere in the house, everything else was set dressing? Overall it's still okay, I'd give it a 6/10 maybe.
You found the movie slow? I was constantly on edge, curious where it was going. About halfway through I figured where it was going but wasn’t sure why. Never found this slow though. While I wish the ending had a different payoff, it didn’t ruin the rest of the movie, which was great.
@@BigNutsBabyNothing really happens for most of the movie - flashbacks and case studies. The whole movie is pretty much set up for the big explanation close to the end. Like Dan said, the payoff was not enough for the journey.
I just saw it with a fairly full theater in the afternoon in NYC. I thought the first two acts of the movie were great, but the final act (and especially the revelation/resolution) were a complete letdown that ruined the entire experience. It starts as an intriguing and stylish serial killer thriller / mystery and ends up as a hacky and completely derivative supernatural horror lacking even internally consistent logic. I had no problem with the performances - and the cinematography and editing were even quite good - but the story itself was simply hokey, predictable, and worst of all given the marketing - barely even creepy. I just don't understand the hype for this movie. 5/10 for me, won't watch again unless convinced.
Felt the same way. On the ride home my wife and I were trying to figure out certain plot elements like why they show the main girl was psychic, and picked out the killers house, but it never really comes up again? Just felt like none of it actually made any sense lol. So disappointed.
This film just left way too many unanswered questions for me. Like why is he called Longlegs? That’s never explained at all. What’s the significance of the 14th? Where’s Harker’s father and why would Longlegs choose a family with no father when the father was integral to all of his other murders? What’s the deal with all the glam rock music? I was really expecting that to be relevant at some point. What’s the point of the derivative Zodiac-style coded messages when they don’t really reveal much important information? All that information could be revealed in a better and less generic way. Why didn’t Harker go after Longlegs when he broke into her house? Why didn’t she realise that Ruby was about to be the next victim? Both of those things are really inexplicable for a character who’s otherwise very decisive and observant. Why exactly does the doll make Harker psychic? Was the murderer at the start of the film part of the Longlegs murders? As soon as the movie ended I had to google it to see if any of these things were explained and I’d somehow missed them, but that wasn’t the case. There are so many red herrings that it basically just feels badly-written.
Yes I felt like I had more questions at the end of it 😶 I’m all for ambiguity but I feel like there was just a bunch of plot points that were just thrown in there that make no sense. I agree that this movie will benefit from multiple viewings.
Let me offer some suggestions. Spoilers: Why is he called Longlegs? This is explained in the opening scene. He says something to the effect of "looks like I have my long legs on today" and then he bends down to speak to Harker. It's something he would say to little kids before he bends down to their level. What’s the significance of the 14th? I believe that's Harker's birthday, and her family was the first victim. Also, being in the middle of the month allows him to build the symbolic algorithm. If it was earlier or later in the month, he wouldn't have the 6-day buffer to build out the triangles. Why would Longlegs choose a family with no father when the father was integral to all of his other murders? Harker's family was presumably the first attempted murder, and he was going to do the killing himself (essentially assuming the father role). When he built out the serial plot with Harker's mom, it shifted to have the father do the killing instead of Longlegs. What’s the deal with all the glam rock music? The movie takes place in the 90's, but Longlegs is seemingly stuck in the 70s. With the dawn of bands like Black Sabbath, this was the beginning of the "Satanic Panic" era, which has largely been discredited as overblown. But what if Longlegs actually did find the devil in the music? What’s the point of the derivative Zodiac-style coded messages when they don’t really reveal much important information? They were used so Longlegs could speak directly to Harker, she was the only one who could decode them. Why didn’t Harker go after Longlegs when he broke into her house? Why didn’t she realize that Ruby was about to be the next victim? She had met Longlegs many times before but didn't remember him, so the spell he has over her blinds her to certain things. Admittedly, Harker acts very strangely throughout the film, but I think it can be chalked up to the orb controlling her. It's important to remember that Harker is a pawn on Longlegs first, and an FBI agent second. Why exactly does the doll make Harker psychic? As far as her psychic abilities, they are all tied to getting her integrated into the Longlegs case. Every time she is "highly intuitive," it impresses her superiors and gets her more integrated into the case. This is what Longlegs wanted. Was the murderer at the start part of the Longlegs murders? I don't think so. I think it was just a random serial killer. But it got Harker put on the Longlegs case, which is what Longlegs wanted the whole time.
It just falls apart in the third act. Lots to like about it but absolutely falls on its face at the end. Does not deserve to be in the conversation with The Silence of the Lambs.
Couldn’t agree more. That third act did not sit well with me. The only comparable attribute to Silence of the Lambs is it is a female detective, and that’s where it ends, unfortunately.
Creepy and atmospheric. Good sense of period - like Maxxxine it really feels of it’s time, a VHS you stumble across. Subdued horror like Hereditary. My screening didn’t dull the lights fully which was a shame given the darkness used!
saw this in LA to a 1/3rd full theater. People full on laughed everytime cAGE WAS ON SCREEN. a lot of whispering and talking. And the final scene basically broke the spell of the movie. I don't get what people are seeing in this.
@@moxyent1354 I think the movie falls apart byt the end. The buzz from some of the people around us was "that's it" and the final scene seems like a blooper that would play under the credits of a Farrelly brothers film. Truly confused at the thype.
This is one of those movies where there's a fairly large disparity between the critics' rating and the audience's rating on RT (currently 91% vs 68%, respectively) so you're not the only one who felt that way.
I’m so happy you said this. I was totally confused while watching this. I’m like umm this is much worse than Blackcoat Daughter. This isn’t remotely close to scariest of the decade. To say it’s the new silence of the lambs is so stupid. It was very interesting and beautifully shot. I thought Cage was fun. But it didn’t hit me like Hereditary or Talk to me. This was a good movie that was seriously over hyped
Saw it yesterday with the hubs, we really enjoyed it and are looking forward to a second viewing! Sound editing, Cinematography, Performances were all really good! I LOVED the use of artistic tension in this movie! I agree that the setup was fantastic, and the payoff was a tiny bit of a letdown, but I still enjoyed the ending a lot. I was so surprised with how amazing Alicia Witt's performance was - shout out to that fabulous gal!
This movie reminded me so much of Gregory Go Boom. The pacing, performances, cinematography and the payoff all gave off the same feeling. Even though I didn’t think this movie lived up to my expectations, I’m definitely going to watch it again for that opening scene. I personally thought it was terrifying.
Ryan Hollinger made a Oz Perkins`s week revew of his movies, leading to Lonlegs`s premier and he has mention severa points on how Oz aproach his storytelling and craft. i would say the series would be a nice complementary vew experience!!
Cage just took me out of it. Super creepy and could have been top tier with any rando playing Longlegs. Cage just made me think of vampires kiss meets a late career Michael Jackson impersonator
Loved those shots where Lee is just looking at photos or notes and a pair of lights are just hovering over her shoulder, as if Longlegs is always watching, just out of sight. Not to mention straining my eyes to try and see the demonic shadowy shape in all the darkness. Also, anyone notice the clock in Lee's mother's house stuck on 6:30? 666? Lmao
I think horror fans have had to taste so much slop that they're thankful for anything with any flavour. As someone who avoids the obviously bad money grab horror I feel that just cos it sparkles among the rough, doesn't mean Longlegs is a diamond. It's use of the same tired tropes prevents it from being remotely unnerving, and the plot had me almost forgetting my cinema etiquette and shouting at the screen (especially the last scene). Cinematography and performances are mostly solid, but held back by direction.
The satanic twist was a huge letdown in my opinion, the devil helping Lee find out everything ruins her character because she didn’t solve anything on her own accord
I did enjoy the silence of lambs feel in the beginning but by the end when it started morphing into something else I can't really say i enjoyed the reveal of that and as far as nick cage I thought at times his performance was unsettling along with the makeup but at other times his over the top nick acting took me out of the films creepy vibe feeling and made it feel more silly in the end the film was ok I wouldn't place it high on the horror list but I'm willing to give it another chance on streaming to fully make up my mind
The more I've thought about this movie the more I've loved it. Incredible acting by the whole cast, with one of the most unsettling performances by Cage. I fully recommend people going into the movie without knowing much because it was a lot different than what I was expecting. One of the most unsettling movies from the first scene to the last that I've ever seen. Can't wait to see it again.
The movie was actually shot digitally on the Arri Alexa Mini but the flashback scenes definitely emulate film and the film has had some 35mm release prints but it was captured digitally
As a huge horror fan, I should learn to not listen to the hype. I can see why this might creep out some people who don’t watch a lot of horror movies. I found myself laughing through out the film
I saw it last night! My Thursday screening was also pretty packed and I enjoyed it over all! I can definitely see Cages performance being a bit much, but I found his choices interesting n well suited for the character.. also can’t wait for a rewatch
My theater was also surprisingly packed for a Thursday, really glad that it looks like this one will do well. The reception seems to be overall pretty positive so far too. I really liked both Cage's and Monroe's performances, but they felt a bit like they were in two different movies to me. I also felt like there were a lot of camp elements, but the tone was too serious to really embrace that camp - so it just kind of had me a bit befuddled. Still really enjoyed it overall, just not really sure what they were intending.
I struggled with Perkins' approach by the midway point, but what I was watching was so meticulous and moody that I can't say I wasn't absorbed by it. saw it on 35mm and the visuals were staggering. I'm still thinking about it days later, and I'm sure with rewatches I'll end up loving it. certainly one of the better movies I've seen this year.
I THINK LONGLEGS IS LEE'S FATHER!!! i found it strange that her father was not mentioned the whole movie. the father could have left them early on in lee's life then returned with that plastic surgery look which could explain y they thought he was a stranger. it could be a play on word association with the spider daddy lonlegs. otherwise y name the killer that random word. anyone else agree? any other evidence? i have not heard this theory yet
This movie lost me in the 3rd act. I was in the edge of my seat then as the 3rd act played out I thought the explanation was little dumb and not the genre of movie I believed it was. I was like “so that’s what’s happening…?LOL”
I agree with you and Jahns on the ending. I can't quite say that it left me unsatisfied but it did feel like it needed a bit, more. It's getting a pizza for dinner but you ended up with a medium pizza and needed a large. It was good but I still wanted just a little bit more.
I intentionally avoided this review from Dan (or any others) because I didn't want to have any preconceived notions going in. And strikingly, I walked out with the same thoughts expressed here. The story was more than serviceable, it was intriguing, but what really hooked me was the beauty of the filmmaking. I laughed out loud when Dan said he was scanning all the backgrounds, etc, because I was doing the exact same thing. The set design, lighting, and even the tried-and-true stuff like shooting "into" a mirror, it was all so artfully done. I'm glad I went into this cold.
Anyone who saw Mandy will appreciate that there is a lot to be said for keeping Cage restrained. Preferably with a director and cinematographer who don't share his fondness for LSD and mushrooms.
After finding out from this review that the villain is Nicolas Cage? Absolutely terrified - especially now that I recognize his voice in the trailer. I’m out! 😱
Was it actually shot on film? On IMDb, it says it was shot with an ARRI Mini at 4.5K. Perhaps they graded it to look like film, like they did with Knives Out, which I was fully convinced was shot on film, but upon research, realized it was also shot digitally then graded to look like it was shot on 35mm.
That's possible - I couldn't find definitive information but I saw credits for dailies film scanners and it really looked like it was shot on film. If it wasn't, I'm even more impressed with the cinematography because it had that very rich, natural feel with the dark blacks and high contrast that I've found digital cinematography often struggles to replicate.
It was a very good movie. I think it will be a perennial autumn/halloween flick for me. My main gripe was the feeling of the "police work" was just off. I would have liked a bit more True Detective feel to it, like creepy canvassing and questioning of random civilians.
I really dug this movie. The overall vibes were creepy and in a lot of ways nostalgic to me as a kid of the 90s. Seeing cupboards or carpets straight out of my childhood added to the horror for me especially since children are such a key component of the narrative.
Lee reminded me so much of Richard Harrow from Boardwalk Empire!! The veteran who wears half a plastic mask which is crazy because this movie also relates Lee's character to a doll 😬
Loved the review!! I really enjoyed the movie even though it wasn't the "scariest" movie ever. The cinematography and slow burn was done so perfectly as it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. NICOLAS CAGE ALSO WAS VERY CREEPY AND UNCANNY! Worth a rewatch for me 😎
I just went to a completely full cinema screening, the last time that happened was when I watched Avatar The Way of the Water on opening day, I didn't even pre-book and was shocked when I had to grab one of the last few seats
I had high expectations going into this movie with all the hyped previews touting it as "The Scariest Horror Movie of 2024". It is split into 3 acts that progressively increased my interest as the movie went on. Overall, it was a 5/10 for me. It is moreso a physiological thriller than a horror movie.
With how good the marketing was, I don’t think there was a way that this movie could meet expectations. But with that said, I loved the movie and will be going back for another watch next weekend. Horror is back baby
I've seen it twice in the theater. I loved the filmmaking. There was some handwaving with the supernatural elements to glue the story together that felt a little lazy and muddy.
My movie theater was packed as well at 2 in the afternoon. I was surprised. I thought the movie was fine. Didnt wow me in any way. But nothing was bad. Idk, tough one to review for me
Anyone else feel like the ending of the film was super rushed too? The whole movie does a great job of building suspense and then the resolution happens in what feels like 5 minutes. I feel like if they gave it some time to breathe and let the reality of the situation sink in, it would have left me feeling a little more satisfied than how I felt after it was over.
@@Moobeus to me, Smile was terrifying just because I had no clue what it was about. Longlegs atmosphere is dread-filled and dark but there’s not many jump scares so I think you should be able to handle it!
It's much less "conventional horror" than Smile (which I also enjoyed) - fewer monsters, jump scares, and kills. Much more psychological, though with a lot of creepiness, disturbing elements and a few jump scares.
This is a rarity where I agree 100% with everything said in the video. The direction is easily a 10 out of 10 for me, but the story about a 7 out of 10. I've heard a lot of praise about the movie's ability to blend grounded realism with the seemingly paranormal, but I actually found this to be one of the movie's weaknesses as I wish the plot had remained more grounded.
Your review has me pumped. I always trust your opinion, and our tastes mostly align. I've been pretty excited about this movie, but my expectations have been tempered because I haven't really enjoyed any other movies Perkins has made. The Blackcoats Daughter was just fine for me, but it's also fairly forgettable to me. I Am The Pretty Thing was a slog, and I couldn't make it through Gretel and Hansel. That's just me though. Got tickets for a Sunday matinee showing, and I am stoked.
I appreciated the art of the movie, the way it’s shot, the scenes and outfits, and the acting. The plot wasn’t tight enough for me, I felt like the conclusion felt like an easy way out of a good set up
Loved the first half to 2/3ish but I honestly wasn’t a big fan of Nic Cage’s performance and the final act pretty much fell flat for me. Lots of loose threads, unanswered questions and what basically felt like missing plot points for me. It looked beautiful though and I do think it’s something I might watch again to see if I missed any clues along the way
This is a good film that could have been great if it wasn't for the jump scare soundtrack. I had to cover my ears throughout the film, since the industrial score and stingers gave me a headache. When something is visually scary, we don't need the jump scare to emphasize it. It's distracting and frustrating.
I’d say once the Polaroid was discovered that i started to enjoy the film. That hole last half was intriguing. But before that i was just empty. I didnt feel like they were building tension, they were dragging their feet. Every scene had room to breathe and that is not a good thing. This should of been tightened up alot. Also im a huge nick cage fan but this to me was one of his weakest performances. Played completely safe. He had so much potential to be a great serial killer yet he played it like we were all expecting him too. I really wanted to love this movie but it was just middle of the road. 5/10
I'm about to see it now. My screening is incredibly full! I tried for earlier or later showings and they were nearly full! Last time I saw a film where I was sitting next to someone was Spider-Man No Way Home. What the Hell?
I thought I was going to watch a horror movie. Not a fan of the investigation part in crime stories. In fact, I find it boring as fuck. Same goes for this movie. And yes, the camera work was good and I kept looking for something creepy to show up in the background. Nothing shows up in the background.... Cage was good tho.
Just saw it and thought it was excellent. I'm a big fan of horror movies that attempt something different and this, for me, succeeded despite the overtones of Silence of the Lambs. I agree about the ending. It was fine but it wasn't a startling revelation. And do you think Neon will push Nicolas Cage for a supporting actor Oscar? Seriously!
I largely agree with the overall review. Excellent filmmaking but not necessarily great storytelling. I think the ending knocked it down to a “it’s fine” for me, but worth a watch.
I think if the ending was a little more WTF, it would have benefited. I think also, the ending could have been really good if that last scene wasn't shown to it entirety. I think if the screen went to black as soon as the main character saw what appeared (try to not spoil the ending) that would have given more imagination
Guess I'm one of the few that actually loved the third act. If anything, if it didn't go through the supernatural element, I wouldn't have liked it as much.
I'd have loved it if it weren't used simply to cash a huge check he wrote in the first act. How does the murderer murder people without being in the home? The answer may disappoint you!!
This was the cinematographer's DEBUT?!? I saw Longlegs last night (also in a packed theater) and couldn't believe how good the movie looked. Very impressive and I hope this guy gets a lot more work in the future because it's well deserved.
Yeah it was.
I don’t think Perkins, is very good at hiding the mystery, or with past movies, its mood over substance.
I knew what the twist was, very quickly, and even saw the supernatural aspect, far too soon.
I thought Monroe did very well, and Cage was perfect as that character.
I just think giving him supernatural powers, with just _satan gives followers powers_ being the explanation, was lazy writing.
It would’ve been a better movie, had they shown him pull it off, without powers from Satan.
I liked it better, than when k first watched The Blackcoats Daughter, which was also mostly mood, over what is actually happening.
It’s a long way to go, just to connect two completely different looking people, who are only 8 years apart in age.
It’s a lazy tactic to use, just so the audience doesn’t immediately know who they both are.
Shipka is excellent, and Roberts gave one of the few performances, that I’ve ever enjoyed from her.
Longlegs was just the right length, but I don’t think it’s a classic, because anyone who watches a lot of movies, and/or has read a lot of books, can see everything that’s happening, very early on, and then Monroe’s character, just stands and watches so many get killed, before she finally starts taking down threats, only for us to know he’s within her now, snd she’s taking over the work.
I just looked at his IMDB, he mostly did TV commercials and a series that i never heard off before doing this movie
“For me the setup was really what drew me into the film. The payoff was a little bit of a letdown but not to the extent that it tanks my opinion on the film.”
Completely agree with this statement. Still really enjoyed the film though.
100% agreed I loved the movie and the build up I was expecting a different type of ending but I think hopefully since there’s still a handful of questions left we get a part 2 aka part 4, 5,… 6
I agree but it did kinda kill my love for it.
@@samwell60 yeah I feel that I kinda felt the same way but I’m gonna go back again and see what I missed while my heart was outside my body
@@samwell60 and I know it’s usually cliche to say this but I haven’t been on the edge of my seat and anxious and all the emotions and feelings people are supposed to feel during a scary movie in a long time honestly maybe since barbarian but even then it was more thriller to me than horror …LONGLEGS has given me some long nightmares
Yep, right there with you guys. I actually enjoyed Black Phone more even tho I don’t think that’s a better movie. Product of hype I suppose
The Dan Murrell theme song actually hits at 0.5x.
Sounds like something straight out of a Neon/A24 indie horror film
It really slaps!
I would say .75x but yeah
The first few seconds of the intro of his ad do too
Dang, you're right!
SAME! My theater was ALSO full! The first time, this year, that I attended a FULL thursday night showing
same
Same! I’ve heard many of the preview showings in my area were sold out or very close
Genius marketing scheme with the fake tweets
Same
your reviews are the best out there, always appreciate how thoughtful you are about them
The movie is great just tamper your expectations with all the hype you are seeing, this is a psychological thriller, slow burn.
Im honestly glad to hear that, I prefer that type of movie anyway!
@@lancewilson52psychological thriller and slow burns are great but there’s got to be a solid pay off, it’s not here sadly.
Wish I would have seen this comment before I saw it lmao
I’ve been telling my friends this. It’s by Oz Perkins and if you’ve seen his previous work it was always a slow burn, that’s his style
the story is not coherent or sensical enough to be considered a mystery or 'psychological,' imo
I'm happy the movie is working for a lot of people but it didn't work for me. You said the resolution of the film will make or break the film and for me it broke it. For a movie to be such a slow burn the ending needs to leave an impact whether that be catharsis, awe or devastation and the the ending just didn't evoke much for me. Without spoiling i could see where the ending conflict would take place from a mile away, and right before that the movie basically just sits and explains to you the plot for 5 minutes so you understand how it all work so it really took me out of it.
Ill appreciate it for its technical aspects and performances which are top notch i just wish the story lived up to it.
Yeah the exposition dump was a bit much the final like 5mins from that scene was disappointing
The explanation was convoluted af. Felt like trying to explain a pyramid scheme where the ultimate goal is murder lol. This movie needed a better conclusion. God I hated where the story went so much lol.
Oh you have an age appropriate daughter with a birthday coming up... Word. No way that's coming back up at all. Also the locked door and her mom asking about the prayers... This movie's plot is anything but subtle. Some of the writing felt stiff, not sure if it was the delivery or what but I often went "... Okay?". It felt like someone wanted to combine hereditary, the witch, and seven but didn't really know how to capitalize on what made those movies special in that movie smoothie. (I haven't seen silence of the lambs so maybe that should be in there too). The ending also confuses me as to what the goal is now that longlegs is dead. Who's going to make the dolls now? Do the dolls matter? Seems like the point is really to get the cursed sphere in the house, everything else was set dressing? Overall it's still okay, I'd give it a 6/10 maybe.
You found the movie slow? I was constantly on edge, curious where it was going. About halfway through I figured where it was going but wasn’t sure why. Never found this slow though. While I wish the ending had a different payoff, it didn’t ruin the rest of the movie, which was great.
@@BigNutsBabyNothing really happens for most of the movie - flashbacks and case studies. The whole movie is pretty much set up for the big explanation close to the end. Like Dan said, the payoff was not enough for the journey.
I just saw it with a fairly full theater in the afternoon in NYC. I thought the first two acts of the movie were great, but the final act (and especially the revelation/resolution) were a complete letdown that ruined the entire experience. It starts as an intriguing and stylish serial killer thriller / mystery and ends up as a hacky and completely derivative supernatural horror lacking even internally consistent logic. I had no problem with the performances - and the cinematography and editing were even quite good - but the story itself was simply hokey, predictable, and worst of all given the marketing - barely even creepy.
I just don't understand the hype for this movie. 5/10 for me, won't watch again unless convinced.
Felt the same way. On the ride home my wife and I were trying to figure out certain plot elements like why they show the main girl was psychic, and picked out the killers house, but it never really comes up again? Just felt like none of it actually made any sense lol. So disappointed.
Unfortunately have to agree with this… I’ll watch it again at some point.
The opening scene is the most effective, and disturbing (due to implication) scene I've ever seen
“They can’t refuse…Because of the implication”….
@@kevinandrewsphoto lol god imagine Dennis in that makeup in the movie
@@GreaterGewd I haven’t seen the movie yet. So I’m still hoping it is Dennis. Have you seen the horror edits of the D.E.N.N.I.S system? Great stuff
It was very good@@kevinandrewsphoto
I think it was the best part of the film. I should have left after that lol...
This film just left way too many unanswered questions for me. Like why is he called Longlegs? That’s never explained at all. What’s the significance of the 14th? Where’s Harker’s father and why would Longlegs choose a family with no father when the father was integral to all of his other murders? What’s the deal with all the glam rock music? I was really expecting that to be relevant at some point. What’s the point of the derivative Zodiac-style coded messages when they don’t really reveal much important information? All that information could be revealed in a better and less generic way. Why didn’t Harker go after Longlegs when he broke into her house? Why didn’t she realise that Ruby was about to be the next victim? Both of those things are really inexplicable for a character who’s otherwise very decisive and observant. Why exactly does the doll make Harker psychic? Was the murderer at the start of the film part of the Longlegs murders? As soon as the movie ended I had to google it to see if any of these things were explained and I’d somehow missed them, but that wasn’t the case. There are so many red herrings that it basically just feels badly-written.
Yes I felt like I had more questions at the end of it 😶 I’m all for ambiguity but I feel like there was just a bunch of plot points that were just thrown in there that make no sense. I agree that this movie will benefit from multiple viewings.
Let me offer some suggestions. Spoilers:
Why is he called Longlegs? This is explained in the opening scene. He says something to the effect of "looks like I have my long legs on today" and then he bends down to speak to Harker. It's something he would say to little kids before he bends down to their level.
What’s the significance of the 14th? I believe that's Harker's birthday, and her family was the first victim. Also, being in the middle of the month allows him to build the symbolic algorithm. If it was earlier or later in the month, he wouldn't have the 6-day buffer to build out the triangles.
Why would Longlegs choose a family with no father when the father was integral to all of his other murders? Harker's family was presumably the first attempted murder, and he was going to do the killing himself (essentially assuming the father role). When he built out the serial plot with Harker's mom, it shifted to have the father do the killing instead of Longlegs.
What’s the deal with all the glam rock music? The movie takes place in the 90's, but Longlegs is seemingly stuck in the 70s. With the dawn of bands like Black Sabbath, this was the beginning of the "Satanic Panic" era, which has largely been discredited as overblown. But what if Longlegs actually did find the devil in the music?
What’s the point of the derivative Zodiac-style coded messages when they don’t really reveal much important information? They were used so Longlegs could speak directly to Harker, she was the only one who could decode them.
Why didn’t Harker go after Longlegs when he broke into her house? Why didn’t she realize that Ruby was about to be the next victim? She had met Longlegs many times before but didn't remember him, so the spell he has over her blinds her to certain things. Admittedly, Harker acts very strangely throughout the film, but I think it can be chalked up to the orb controlling her. It's important to remember that Harker is a pawn on Longlegs first, and an FBI agent second.
Why exactly does the doll make Harker psychic? As far as her psychic abilities, they are all tied to getting her integrated into the Longlegs case. Every time she is "highly intuitive," it impresses her superiors and gets her more integrated into the case. This is what Longlegs wanted.
Was the murderer at the start part of the Longlegs murders? I don't think so. I think it was just a random serial killer. But it got Harker put on the Longlegs case, which is what Longlegs wanted the whole time.
I can answer all those questions, but they still give no answer to his motivations. The psychological underpinnings of the movie are very weak.
She just stands there in the living room while her boss takes his wife to the kitchen to stab her to death with comedic stabbing noises and screams.
@@CritterOverYonder Harker and her mother weren’t the first prospective victims. The Camera family were killed before Longlegs tried to kill them.
It just falls apart in the third act. Lots to like about it but absolutely falls on its face at the end. Does not deserve to be in the conversation with The Silence of the Lambs.
Couldn’t agree more. That third act did not sit well with me. The only comparable attribute to Silence of the Lambs is it is a female detective, and that’s where it ends, unfortunately.
I loved it far more than Silence..
This went from close to 5 stars in the first 40 minutes to down to 2 during the last act where everything falls apart.
Creepy and atmospheric.
Good sense of period - like Maxxxine it really feels of it’s time, a VHS you stumble across.
Subdued horror like Hereditary.
My screening didn’t dull the lights fully which was a shame given the darkness used!
saw this in LA to a 1/3rd full theater. People full on laughed everytime cAGE WAS ON SCREEN. a lot of whispering and talking. And the final scene basically broke the spell of the movie. I don't get what people are seeing in this.
Laughing in my theater too.
@@moxyent1354I was the only one laughing in mine, cuz Cage was finding new ways to deliver lines. He was absolutely incredible. The movie is great.
@@moxyent1354 I think the movie falls apart byt the end. The buzz from some of the people around us was "that's it" and the final scene seems like a blooper that would play under the credits of a Farrelly brothers film. Truly confused at the thype.
This is one of those movies where there's a fairly large disparity between the critics' rating and the audience's rating on RT (currently 91% vs 68%, respectively) so you're not the only one who felt that way.
I’m so happy you said this. I was totally confused while watching this. I’m like umm this is much worse than Blackcoat Daughter. This isn’t remotely close to scariest of the decade. To say it’s the new silence of the lambs is so stupid. It was very interesting and beautifully shot. I thought Cage was fun. But it didn’t hit me like Hereditary or Talk to me. This was a good movie that was seriously over hyped
Saw it yesterday with the hubs, we really enjoyed it and are looking forward to a second viewing! Sound editing, Cinematography, Performances were all really good! I LOVED the use of artistic tension in this movie! I agree that the setup was fantastic, and the payoff was a tiny bit of a letdown, but I still enjoyed the ending a lot. I was so surprised with how amazing Alicia Witt's performance was - shout out to that fabulous gal!
Cool film! Lead actress is amazing and chooses roles WISELY!
This movie reminded me so much of Gregory Go Boom. The pacing, performances, cinematography and the payoff all gave off the same feeling.
Even though I didn’t think this movie lived up to my expectations, I’m definitely going to watch it again for that opening scene. I personally thought it was terrifying.
Ryan Hollinger made a Oz Perkins`s week revew of his movies, leading to Lonlegs`s premier and he has mention severa points on how Oz aproach his storytelling and craft. i would say the series would be a nice complementary vew experience!!
I watched this right after his blackcoat's daughter video lol
This movie was more Se7en for me, with a bit of SotL. Which is probably why I loved it so much 🙌🏼
Saw the film last night and you hit the nail on the head 100%
Cage just took me out of it. Super creepy and could have been top tier with any rando playing Longlegs. Cage just made me think of vampires kiss meets a late career Michael Jackson impersonator
I couldn't even tell it was Cage when I watched it his voice was so high pitched
Honestly I think I would've liked a more subdued performance instead of Nic Cage turned up to 11
Cage was acting like a cosplay actor in a Mall Haunted House ride. He stank and ruined an already dreadful movie.
Just bought my ticket for Monday afternoon. Thanks, Dan!
Loved those shots where Lee is just looking at photos or notes and a pair of lights are just hovering over her shoulder, as if Longlegs is always watching, just out of sight.
Not to mention straining my eyes to try and see the demonic shadowy shape in all the darkness.
Also, anyone notice the clock in Lee's mother's house stuck on 6:30? 666? Lmao
what was with the obviously fake Sig pistol she has...then it turns into a revolver when she finally uses it...wut??
@@vominatortrue thats confusing me too
I think horror fans have had to taste so much slop that they're thankful for anything with any flavour. As someone who avoids the obviously bad money grab horror I feel that just cos it sparkles among the rough, doesn't mean Longlegs is a diamond. It's use of the same tired tropes prevents it from being remotely unnerving, and the plot had me almost forgetting my cinema etiquette and shouting at the screen (especially the last scene). Cinematography and performances are mostly solid, but held back by direction.
The satanic twist was a huge letdown in my opinion, the devil helping Lee find out everything ruins her character because she didn’t solve anything on her own accord
Spoiler talk!
What did the devil help her with other than the first house where her partner was shot?
@@andrewjudson3614he helped her find the doll at the farm, the secret room in the mom’s basement, etc
And decipher the code I think @@artheals8869
I did enjoy the silence of lambs feel in the beginning but by the end when it started morphing into something else I can't really say i enjoyed the reveal of that and as far as nick cage I thought at times his performance was unsettling along with the makeup but at other times his over the top nick acting took me out of the films creepy vibe feeling and made it feel more silly in the end the film was ok I wouldn't place it high on the horror list but I'm willing to give it another chance on streaming to fully make up my mind
First time he's posting a review just before I go see a movie myself!
The more I've thought about this movie the more I've loved it. Incredible acting by the whole cast, with one of the most unsettling performances by Cage. I fully recommend people going into the movie without knowing much because it was a lot different than what I was expecting. One of the most unsettling movies from the first scene to the last that I've ever seen. Can't wait to see it again.
The movie was actually shot digitally on the Arri Alexa Mini but the flashback scenes definitely emulate film and the film has had some 35mm release prints but it was captured digitally
Since I'm stuck at home with covid, I may have to wait until this one is on streaming, but it would have been fun to see this in a packed theater
As a huge horror fan, I should learn to not listen to the hype. I can see why this might creep out some people who don’t watch a lot of horror movies. I found myself laughing through out the film
Same. Thought it was whack
I saw it last night! My Thursday screening was also pretty packed and I enjoyed it over all! I can definitely see Cages performance being a bit much, but I found his choices interesting n well suited for the character.. also can’t wait for a rewatch
Looking forward to it on Monday, along with 'Fly me to the Moon'. Good to hear its getting some good reviews.
Correction: LONGLEGS was shot digitally, not on film.
Yeah I second this. It looks filmic but I only see Alexa mini listed on IMDb and no promotion from Kodak
My theater was also surprisingly packed for a Thursday, really glad that it looks like this one will do well. The reception seems to be overall pretty positive so far too. I really liked both Cage's and Monroe's performances, but they felt a bit like they were in two different movies to me. I also felt like there were a lot of camp elements, but the tone was too serious to really embrace that camp - so it just kind of had me a bit befuddled. Still really enjoyed it overall, just not really sure what they were intending.
Saw it this morning and LOVED it.
Ending will be as polarizing as a similar movie Dan continually references for its acting Oscar snub.
The demonic twist was lazy and made no sense. No good payoff in the movie. I was fighting to stay awake and I've never fallen asleep in a movie.
Me too.
I struggled with Perkins' approach by the midway point, but what I was watching was so meticulous and moody that I can't say I wasn't absorbed by it. saw it on 35mm and the visuals were staggering. I'm still thinking about it days later, and I'm sure with rewatches I'll end up loving it. certainly one of the better movies I've seen this year.
I liked the very beginning. The intro was very sick. Other than that, the story was pretty weak.
I THINK LONGLEGS IS LEE'S FATHER!!!
i found it strange that her father was not mentioned the whole movie. the father could have left them early on in lee's life then returned with that plastic surgery look which could explain y they thought he was a stranger. it could be a play on word association with the spider daddy lonlegs. otherwise y name the killer that random word.
anyone else agree? any other evidence?
i have not heard this theory yet
My Tuesday night showing of Longlegs was packed too!
This movie lost me in the 3rd act. I was in the edge of my seat then as the 3rd act played out I thought the explanation was little dumb and not the genre of movie I believed it was. I was like “so that’s what’s happening…?LOL”
I agree with you and Jahns on the ending. I can't quite say that it left me unsatisfied but it did feel like it needed a bit, more. It's getting a pizza for dinner but you ended up with a medium pizza and needed a large. It was good but I still wanted just a little bit more.
Really liked it! Really anxiety-inducing, scary and left me wanting more!
I intentionally avoided this review from Dan (or any others) because I didn't want to have any preconceived notions going in. And strikingly, I walked out with the same thoughts expressed here. The story was more than serviceable, it was intriguing, but what really hooked me was the beauty of the filmmaking. I laughed out loud when Dan said he was scanning all the backgrounds, etc, because I was doing the exact same thing. The set design, lighting, and even the tried-and-true stuff like shooting "into" a mirror, it was all so artfully done.
I'm glad I went into this cold.
Anyone who saw Mandy will appreciate that there is a lot to be said for keeping Cage restrained. Preferably with a director and cinematographer who don't share his fondness for LSD and mushrooms.
After finding out from this review that the villain is Nicolas Cage? Absolutely terrified - especially now that I recognize his voice in the trailer. I’m out! 😱
You know Dan either likes or dislikes the movie when the thumbnail is 🤔
🫡
Seeing it on Monday, Im a big fan of Oz Perkins ‘The Black Coats Daughter’. Can’t wait to see Longlegs
Was it actually shot on film? On IMDb, it says it was shot with an ARRI Mini at 4.5K. Perhaps they graded it to look like film, like they did with Knives Out, which I was fully convinced was shot on film, but upon research, realized it was also shot digitally then graded to look like it was shot on 35mm.
That's possible - I couldn't find definitive information but I saw credits for dailies film scanners and it really looked like it was shot on film. If it wasn't, I'm even more impressed with the cinematography because it had that very rich, natural feel with the dark blacks and high contrast that I've found digital cinematography often struggles to replicate.
This movie was way overhyped and the hype ruined it for me :(
It was a very good movie. I think it will be a perennial autumn/halloween flick for me. My main gripe was the feeling of the "police work" was just off. I would have liked a bit more True Detective feel to it, like creepy canvassing and questioning of random civilians.
I really dug this movie. The overall vibes were creepy and in a lot of ways nostalgic to me as a kid of the 90s. Seeing cupboards or carpets straight out of my childhood added to the horror for me especially since children are such a key component of the narrative.
The trailers were *chef's kiss*
Lee reminded me so much of Richard Harrow from Boardwalk Empire!! The veteran who wears half a plastic mask which is crazy because this movie also relates Lee's character to a doll 😬
Loved the review!! I really enjoyed the movie even though it wasn't the "scariest" movie ever. The cinematography and slow burn was done so perfectly as it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. NICOLAS CAGE ALSO WAS VERY CREEPY AND UNCANNY! Worth a rewatch for me 😎
I just went to a completely full cinema screening, the last time that happened was when I watched Avatar The Way of the Water on opening day, I didn't even pre-book and was shocked when I had to grab one of the last few seats
Thought I was watching an intense serial killer thriller..but NOPE just a silly supernatural movie 😤
“I don’t read the script, the script reads me”
So excited to see it all my horror pods are raving about it
Going to see it this afternoon… totally pumped 🔥🔥
I had high expectations going into this movie with all the hyped previews touting it as "The Scariest Horror Movie of 2024". It is split into 3 acts that progressively increased my interest as the movie went on. Overall, it was a 5/10 for me. It is moreso a physiological thriller than a horror movie.
The hype from trailers does movies like this as much as harm as good in many cases.
Was is the best/scariest movie ever? No. Did I enjoy watching it/uneasy the whole time? Hell yes. Really looking forward to a second viewing.
Id say ALL Cage gives in anything is "One Note"....100 percent unhinged but STILL one note.
With how good the marketing was, I don’t think there was a way that this movie could meet expectations. But with that said, I loved the movie and will be going back for another watch next weekend. Horror is back baby
Fantastic review! Thank you!
In Brazil we call bugs bunny "Pernalonga" which means literally "Longleg"
Perfect example of a great idea executed less than perfectly. Great Cinematography, acting, direction; but the writing gets in the way
My sold-out Thursday night crowd was eating it up!
I've seen it twice in the theater. I loved the filmmaking. There was some handwaving with the supernatural elements to glue the story together that felt a little lazy and muddy.
There was one seat in a 8 o’clock screening on a Monday.
My movie theater was packed as well at 2 in the afternoon. I was surprised.
I thought the movie was fine. Didnt wow me in any way. But nothing was bad. Idk, tough one to review for me
Anyone else feel like the ending of the film was super rushed too? The whole movie does a great job of building suspense and then the resolution happens in what feels like 5 minutes. I feel like if they gave it some time to breathe and let the reality of the situation sink in, it would have left me feeling a little more satisfied than how I felt after it was over.
That’s probably one of my only criticisms. Otherwise I absolutely loved the movie.
OK, but what do you think the legs will be like on this movie?
Going to see it tomorrow.
i think the biggest plothole was how these people had no family to celebrate birthdays with. I mean really...
These comments and review have been the best take on this movie in my eyes ….follow well deserved
My theater was sold out for a Sunday matinee. This movie is definitely a hit for NEON. I loved it but felt the same about the end as you did.
I went on Thursday and I was shocked how many people were there
Well put. Can't wait especially because of the marketing which was soo good.
Hey you can see the devil in the lil door window when Lee first gose home to see her mom it's crazy
My 2nd favorite movie of the year as of now! Absolutely loved it
How scary is it relative to something like Smile? I wana see it but I can’t handle another smile level scary movie 😂😂💀
@@Moobeus to me, Smile was terrifying just because I had no clue what it was about. Longlegs atmosphere is dread-filled and dark but there’s not many jump scares so I think you should be able to handle it!
Whats ur first? Mines challengerssss , oooh zendaya, yieahhh daddy 🤤
It's much less "conventional horror" than Smile (which I also enjoyed) - fewer monsters, jump scares, and kills. Much more psychological, though with a lot of creepiness, disturbing elements and a few jump scares.
@@brennan285 awesome, thank you! I will give it a shot this weekend😂😂
This is a rarity where I agree 100% with everything said in the video. The direction is easily a 10 out of 10 for me, but the story about a 7 out of 10. I've heard a lot of praise about the movie's ability to blend grounded realism with the seemingly paranormal, but I actually found this to be one of the movie's weaknesses as I wish the plot had remained more grounded.
Your review has me pumped. I always trust your opinion, and our tastes mostly align. I've been pretty excited about this movie, but my expectations have been tempered because I haven't really enjoyed any other movies Perkins has made. The Blackcoats Daughter was just fine for me, but it's also fairly forgettable to me. I Am The Pretty Thing was a slog, and I couldn't make it through Gretel and Hansel. That's just me though. Got tickets for a Sunday matinee showing, and I am stoked.
Anyone know where I can watch this online?
I appreciated the art of the movie, the way it’s shot, the scenes and outfits, and the acting. The plot wasn’t tight enough for me, I felt like the conclusion felt like an easy way out of a good set up
Loved the first half to 2/3ish but I honestly wasn’t a big fan of Nic Cage’s performance and the final act pretty much fell flat for me. Lots of loose threads, unanswered questions and what basically felt like missing plot points for me. It looked beautiful though and I do think it’s something I might watch again to see if I missed any clues along the way
This is a good film that could have been great if it wasn't for the jump scare soundtrack. I had to cover my ears throughout the film, since the industrial score and stingers gave me a headache. When something is visually scary, we don't need the jump scare to emphasize it. It's distracting and frustrating.
I’d say once the Polaroid was discovered that i started to enjoy the film. That hole last half was intriguing. But before that i was just empty. I didnt feel like they were building tension, they were dragging their feet. Every scene had room to breathe and that is not a good thing. This should of been tightened up alot. Also im a huge nick cage fan but this to me was one of his weakest performances. Played completely safe. He had so much potential to be a great serial killer yet he played it like we were all expecting him too. I really wanted to love this movie but it was just middle of the road. 5/10
I'm about to see it now. My screening is incredibly full! I tried for earlier or later showings and they were nearly full! Last time I saw a film where I was sitting next to someone was Spider-Man No Way Home. What the Hell?
I thought I was going to watch a horror movie. Not a fan of the investigation part in crime stories. In fact, I find it boring as fuck. Same goes for this movie. And yes, the camera work was good and I kept looking for something creepy to show up in the background. Nothing shows up in the background.... Cage was good tho.
I’m on my way to go see it in an hour. Very excited.
I knew you'd love it, Dan. I saw the trailer and I was like, "Yep, that's a Dan Murrell joint."
Glaze
There IT ISSSSSS, theeee revieEEEW. Movie was hilarious. I can’t stop saying “Thereeeensheee isssss”
😂
Still waiting on your review video for Maxxxine... however any review video by Dan Murrell is still a good review video. #NeverStopWatching 😊👍
I enjoyed the film a lot. My crowd was packed. I thought the homages to Silence of the Lambs were great. It also reminded me of the black phone.
Just saw it and thought it was excellent. I'm a big fan of horror movies that attempt something different and this, for me, succeeded despite the overtones of Silence of the Lambs. I agree about the ending. It was fine but it wasn't a startling revelation. And do you think Neon will push Nicolas Cage for a supporting actor Oscar? Seriously!
I largely agree with the overall review. Excellent filmmaking but not necessarily great storytelling. I think the ending knocked it down to a “it’s fine” for me, but worth a watch.
I think if the ending was a little more WTF, it would have benefited. I think also, the ending could have been really good if that last scene wasn't shown to it entirety. I think if the screen went to black as soon as the main character saw what appeared (try to not spoil the ending) that would have given more imagination
Guess I'm one of the few that actually loved the third act. If anything, if it didn't go through the supernatural element, I wouldn't have liked it as much.
I loved the 3rd act
I did too
That's a spoiler. Damn. -_-
@@bened22Then why even look though the comments? This is a review, of course people are going to be talking about the contents of the movie.
I'd have loved it if it weren't used simply to cash a huge check he wrote in the first act.
How does the murderer murder people without being in the home? The answer may disappoint you!!