Nicolas Cage is back to scare the viewers in his new role as a serial killer in Longlegs. Directed by Oz Perkins of Gretel & Hansel fame, the film follows Maika Monroe’s FBI detective, who investigates a series of murders linked to a Satanic killer. The film was screened at Los Angeles’s Beyond Fest on May 31 and received rave reactions from the audience.
Many critics hailed the film as ‘the most terrifying horror movie of the decade’. They also drew parallels between the film and the 1991 Oscar-winning film The Silence of the Lambs. Besides Monroe & Cage, the film also stars Alicia Witt, Blair Underwood, and Kiernan Shipka.
Nicolas Cage’s Longlegs Makes Critics Sick To Their Stomach
Nicolas Cage returns with another critically acclaimed film after Pig and Dream Scenario, titled Longlegs. Cage plays the Satanic serial killer of the same name and becomes the subject of investigation of new FBI recruit Lee Harker, played by Maika Monroe. Early viewers have given a positive verdict for the film after it managed to scare them to the core.
The film has a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes from 11 reviews. Katie Rife of IGN shared, “Perkins’ horror surrealism renders the familiar strange and the strange familiar.” Bill Bria of /Film called it “the most terrifying horror movie of 2024”.
@DiscussingFilm wrote on X that the film was described as one of the most terrifying movies of the decade. They also added that the film will leave audiences sick to their stomachs. One fan commented that a 100% score meant that the film was literally perfect. One Nicolas Cage fan shared that they couldn’t wait to see the film.
Another fan shared that they could tell the film was good from its scary trailer. One fan commented that the viewers were long due for a good horror flick. However, one fan was more pessimistic about the hype and wanted the film to not disappoint him. Some of the fan reactions read:
‘LONGLEGS’ is currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 29, 2024
Described as one of the most terrifying movies of the decade that will leave audiences so horrified that they become sick to their stomachs. pic.twitter.com/ZbNN5zLBv6
100%?!?!?
— E-Man (@WigginsWick22) June 29, 2024
That means it’s LITERALLY perfect pic.twitter.com/3nT8cfykWU
Can't wait pic.twitter.com/b9Sk4QJ3bX
— Nate, or, Mr H Reviews (@MrHreviews) June 29, 2024
I can tell by the trailer it’s very good
— 🅁ɪᴄᴏ 🄴sᴄᴏʙᴀʀ™ (@Mrgiveherback_) June 29, 2024
We’re due for a good horror flick. Don’t let me down.
— January James-Riggs (@JanuaryJames) June 29, 2024
This better not suck. I hate being disappointed when I want to be terrified.
— January James-Riggs (@JanuaryJames) June 29, 2024
Cage is also producing the film under his production company Saturn Films, alongside Dan Kagan, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Dave Caplan, and Chris Ferguson. Monroe is also a face familiar to the audiences of the horror genre, with her acclaimed performance in the film It Follows.
Nicolas Cage Is Not Spotted In The Marketing Materials Of The Film
Nicolas Cage’s serial killer is largely absent in the posters or the trailers of the film. It was an intentional decision from the Ghost Rider actor. He revealed to Entertainment Weekly that his absence in the promotional materials was like a warning label on a nitroglycerin jar. He shared that the monster in the film had to be unveiled in a careful manner. He shared with EW:
It’s the equivalent of putting a warning label on a jar of nitroglycerin. The monster is a highly, highly dangerous substance. The way it’s moved, unveiled, deployed has to be treated very carefully.
Cage went on to hype his movie’s horror element, sharing that the film would open the viewer’s doors of perception and life was not going to be the same after that. Cage shared about his character:
Forget about the movie theater blowing up; the whole city could blow up, nay the country, maybe even the world. [My character] is going to change your reality. Your doors of perception are going to open, and your life is not going to be the same.
Longlegs is Oz Perkins’ fourth film. The director’s previous films also touched upon the horror element. The film is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 12, 2024.
