I’ve had the most extraordinary luck and fortune in my life, all thanks to a certain visionary director named David Lynch. Growing up as a young girl in Worcester, Massachusetts, with school teacher parents, acting or even being in movies was never on my radar. Yet, fate intervened when the casting director of “Dune” saw me on a kids’ TV show called “That’s Incredible!” and suggested me for the role of Alia Atreides. That one chance encounter changed everything for me.
[This story contains spoilers for Longlegs.]
Alicia Witt‘s career is unique in many ways. At just eight years old, she made a notable appearance as the one avenging House Atreides in David Lynch’s film “Dune”. Her talent didn’t go unnoticed, and she continued to shine in various roles throughout her film and television journey spanning over four decades. Simultaneously, Witt pursued a successful music career, maintaining a remarkable balance between both industries.
About a year after I went through the heart-wrenching experience of losing both my parents in December 2021 and beating cancer that same year, I met an actor named Longlegs. In the midst of such unimaginable hardships, it’s no wonder many actors hesitated to take on the role of a single mother who systematically eliminates entire families for the devil’s sake while safeguarding their own child. Surprisingly, I discovered that this challenging experience proved cathartic for me. Having learned to shield myself from distressing material long ago, I found solace in this project.
During their initial Zoom conversation, she found a deep bond with Perkins. They’ve both experienced the painful loss of loved ones in highly publicized tragedies, which has made them feel unusually close to each other. (Anthony Perkins passed away due to AIDS-related causes in 1992, while his mother, Berry Berenson, was among the victims on American Airlines Flight 11 during the 9/11 attacks.)
“I’m positive I’ll never come across someone else who shares our unique and painful experience of losing both parents in a public and gruesome manner,” Witt expresses to The Hollywood Reporter. “I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. It’s devastatingly harsh and steals the typical grieving process from you. Still, our shared past made ‘Longlegs’ an incredibly healing journey for us both.”
As a gamer, I was taken aback when I discovered that the most intense moment for Witt in “Longlegs” didn’t even make it into the final cut. It wasn’t during the dramatic showdown between her and her daughter Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), where Lee ultimately had to take her mother’s life. Instead, it was an unexpected turn of events that transpired at home.
In the initial filming of this scene as written in the script, it seems that the broken doll did not lead to Lee passing out. Instead, Witt implies that an “embrace” between Ruth and Lee may have taken place, causing Ruth to use a syringe to knock Lee unconscious. The syringes were previously shown in the movie when Lee came across her mother’s “memory box,” which contained Lee’s old hair, fingernails, and teeth. Therefore, it is possible that Perkins removed the scene of Ruth’s hug and drugging of Lee to strengthen the connection between Longlegs’ Satanic dolls and their power over their victims. Consequently, when Ruth fired her shotgun at Lee’s doll, it symbolically broke the hold the doll had on Lee since she was nine years old.
For Witt, the most challenging filming day involved the scene between Maika and the needle. Faced with the agonizing decision to hurt her own child, whom she had given up everything for, Maika chose to act in what she believed was the only way to save her. At that moment, Maika’s actions seemed incomprehensible to Lee, who failed to grasp the significance of Ruth’s sacrifice. Therefore, Maika felt compelled to take matters into her own hands during the Carter birthday party, so that Lee could be freed from a greater obligation.
As a gamer, I’d say it this way: When Longlegs appeared at my doorstep back in the ’70s, little did I know that this encounter would mark the beginning of my slow descent into disarray. My once neat and orderly appearance transformed overnight – from a shorter, well-groomed hairstyle to long, unkempt locks that I barely bothered to care for. And it’s not just my hair that changed; my home went from tidy and organized to a hoarder’s paradise. But in my mind, I wasn’t just succumbing to the outside influences – I was already teetering on the edge of mental instability before Longlegs ever knocked on my door.
“From the start, it was clear to me that she had gone through past traumas before encountering Longlegs, which I explored and prepared for in my journal entries before filming. Oz concurred with this assessment, and he too sensed her struggles. It’s likely that she would have faced some mental health issues regardless, but the severity of it was unprecedented.”
It’s uncommon for directors to hire child actors for significant roles when they become adults, after delivering exceptional performances like Witt did in “Dune” (1984). However, Witt defied this trend as Lynch cast her again in “Twin Peaks: The Return” (2017), allowing her to reprise her role of Gersten Hayward from the second season premiere of “Twin Peaks” in 1990. This reappearance was instrumental in Perkins considering Witt for the part of Ruth Harker.
In that pivotal scene from “Twin Peaks: The Return” where Caleb Landry Jones was situated under a tree, Witt recalls Oz recognizing something in her that made him believe she could be his Ruth. This discovery brought about an exceptional collaboration and a significant moment of recognition for Witt, one filled with immense gratitude and honor. Ultimately, it all traces back to the visionary influence of David Lynch.
In a recent chat with THR, Witt shared a story about her initial encounter with Nicolas “Nick” Cage in the 90s. She went on to describe his kindness towards her while filming “Longlegs.”
As a gamer, I have to admit that I wasn’t fully aware of your past experiences until I watched Longlegs. I want to express my sincere apologies for not being there for you during those tough times. But, I was taken aback when I learned that you were ready to tackle such ominous material so soon after going through what seems like a darkest period in your life. So, what drove you to take on this project and face such sinister content once again?
When I perused the script, Ruth resonated deeply with me. I instinctively identified with her, and my conviction was unwavering. In this film, there are three distinct interpretations of Ruth. She was a multifaceted character, and I felt an inexplicable connection to her that went beyond just liking the role or recognizing its acting potential. This feeling was more profound, evoking an emotional response similar to only a select few roles have done before.
The night before I was to discuss the script with Oz Perkins via Zoom, I had a striking dream. I was aware of having the script waiting in my inbox and the upcoming meeting. In my dream, I saw a scene where a significant revelation occurred: Lee appeared at Ruth’s house, discovering her in the yard with an effigy. Although the needle wasn’t present in my dream, the embrace unfolded just as we filmed it later. The encounter was unsettling, leaving me puzzled and deeply affected upon waking.
After coming across that pivotal scene in the script, I hesitated to share with the stranger I was scheduled to meet, unsure if he’d perceive me as manipulative or insane or perhaps both. However, upon conversing with Oz, my instincts were confirmed – he understood the truth. Our unique bond, forged by our mutual experience of losing both parents in a gruesome and publicly exposed manner, made it unlikely I would encounter another soul who could empathize with this agony. This shared pain brought us closer, offering a profound sense of relief throughout our interaction.
During the six-week preparation period before filming began, Ruth’s character evolved significantly as we engaged in extensive discussions. This time allowed me to deeply explore my interpretation of her and Oz’s vision, ensuring a clear direction for our collaboration. By the time we set foot on the production floor, our communication was seamless, with unspoken cues and signals exchanged frequently based on our earlier conversations. I experimented with various interpretations, resulting in an effortless flow of ideas from within and without me. The experience felt almost supernatural, a true creative symphony.
I was taken aback and deeply saddened when I learned that Ruth had made a pact with the devil to save her daughter. As someone who values morality and family above all else, it was hard to fathom such a drastic action. Having grown up in a loving home and always striving to do what’s right, this revelation challenged my beliefs and made me question the complexities of the human condition. It made me realize that sometimes people are faced with unimaginable choices, and the line between good and evil can blur. Despite Ruth’s actions being morally ambiguous, I couldn’t help but empathize with her desperation to protect her child and the weight of her conscience. It served as a reminder that life is not always black and white, but rather a complex tapestry of gray areas, where difficult decisions are part of the human experience.
In response to what I saw, I had two responses. The strongest one was empathy, as the bond between a mother and daughter is complex and powerful. This love is unmatched, leading me to believe, “It’s only natural she would act that way.” A mother would go to any lengths for her child’s upbringing. I sensed this vulnerability in her character from the start of the script, so I spent a lot of time journaling about it before filming. Oz shared my perspective, and we both felt that she had experienced some past trauma. Although she might have faced mental health challenges regardless, the extremes of her actions seemed to indicate an inherent madness. Yet, despite this, Lee was allowed to live, while being trapped in an endless cycle with no escape. All she knew was that if she didn’t keep her end of the deal, her daughter would perish, and she couldn’t bear that thought.
In my observation and intuition, Ruth’s descent into madness with Longlegs is accompanied by an unsettling sense of twisted pride and delight she develops. I haven’t watched the movie, but based on accounts from friends and conversations with those who have seen it, I understand the content. Filmming Ruth’s transformation in the series was captivating for me, as I witnessed her various kill methods, homes, and her evolving character over the years. After the initial killing, she was shocked by her own actions, but she had brought the doll, so she was responsible. Despite feeling remorse, this experience began to nourish her in a dark way. Therefore, I can relate to Ruth’s complex emotions and feel compassion for her struggles.
As a gamer, I can’t help but reflect on that heavy day in the game. I had just delivered a Satanic doll to the Carter family, unaware of the chaos it would bring. Agent Carter (Blair Underwood) received it, and before I could intervene, he took the tragic step of killing his wife. It was a moment that left me stunned and emotionally drained. In an attempt to shield 9-year-old Ruby from the curse of her own Longlegs-crafted doll, I made the difficult decision to eliminate Agent Carter and even his mother. It was a day where I faced some of the most intense mental and emotional challenges in the game.
No, and it’s odd. I hesitate to use the word tough because I keep coming back to the catharsis of it all, which is why I’m not going to watch it. Oz has indicated to me that he may create a version that doesn’t have Ruth in it, so that I can watch the movie. I don’t want to see what it looks like on the outside because there was such a sense of catharsis. It was deeply eerie and intense, but, at this point, through many experiences of trial and error, I put a sort of force field around myself that protects me and allows me to slip in and out of the character. So I leave that behind on set, and I do not carry that home with me. It also allows me to go deeper, and since I’m free and I’m safe, I can go fully into the character. There’s no fear; it can’t hurt me. But this experience was totally out of body, and I didn’t know whose voice was coming out of me. Some of the time I had an idea who it might be, but it was out of my control at that point having done the work.
For me, the most emotionally charged day on set was when filming the scene between Maika and the hypodermic needle. In this moment, Maika, who had given up everything for her daughter, made a heart-wrenching decision to hurt the very person she loved most. Though it was a painful choice, she believed it was necessary to save her. At that point, I understood why Maika thought she knew best, even if Lee didn’t.
“It’s surprising to learn that the birthday party wasn’t the most challenging day for you. Can you please share how you would characterize that experience instead?”
Having lived through that unforgettable experience on set, I can truly say that it wasn’t the most intense emotionally or physically demanding, but it was by far the most fulfilling and thrilling one in my career so far. Spanning over two days, my scenes with Ruth were filmed towards the end of the second day. Throughout this time, Oz observed all the variations I brought to the table during our acting collaboration. He provided me with six distinct one- or two-word instructions before each take, each one contrasting drastically from the previous one. It felt as if I was under a spotlight for the entire cast and crew, teetering on a tightrope, knowing full well that Oz believed in my abilities after six long weeks of working together.
Have you ever found yourself working with a co-star, like Maika Monroe, and not getting the chance to truly meet them until after filming your last scene together? This happened to us and Nic Cage was that co-star.
thirty years ago, I indeed crossed paths with the genuine Nick. Surprisingly enough, during the film’s premiere, he failed to recognize me, as my acting career hadn’t taken off yet. I was only seventeen then and was dating a close friend of his. We all went on an unforgettable ’90s Hollywood night out together, which consisted of six of us. The evening was filled with laughter and camaraderie. Therefore, that night, I got to know Nick quite well as we all ended up at his house for late-night chats. However, during this phase of my life, our interactions were mostly limited to the premiere. While filming “Longlegs,” I only encountered him when he assumed the role of Longlegs. In an effort to avoid being startled by his appearance before cameras began rolling, I tried to avoid looking at him as much as possible.
During filming, I’d seen a stunt double for Longlegs that resembled him somewhat, but it wasn’t truly terrifying since the double’s face wasn’t shown on screen. However, when Nick appeared as Longlegs with his unique physique and voice, I was taken aback. His voice, which we only heard during filming, was a startling revelation since he rarely spoke between takes. We were warned that Nick would remain in character, refusing to break character or interact normally. However, unlike some actors who fully embody their roles off-camera, Nick maintained his focus while being approachable and normal when not filming.
As a huge fan, I was truly amazed by his consistent performance as Longlegs. Regardless if the cameras were focused on him or on me, there was no change in his intensity. He poured so much into every scene, which is no easy feat given the demanding vocal requirements. His unwavering commitment to his craft is a testament to the greatness of an exceptional actor, and not every performer can deliver that consistently.
Each time Lee phoned and greeted Ruth with “Hello, Mom,” she’d inquire if it was indeed Lee, a habit that annoyed Lee since she was her sole offspring. What could possibly make Ruth feel the need to confirm it was Lee?
As her daughter, I found her behavior towards me unsettling, even if I couldn’t explain it logically. Her actions resonated with me, though I can only guess it might have been driven by a deep-seated fear or suspicion. Perhaps she was constantly questioning the identity of those around her, including me. Was it truly them, or someone pretending to be them? There seemed to be an underlying sense of unease and instability in her mind, which may have been intensified had Longlegs not visited that fateful day.
Based on my personal experiences and observations, I believe Ruth was asking Lee about her prayers out of concern, but deep down she might have had doubts that they were being maintained regularly. Her question could have been a subtle way for her to validate her own beliefs, perhaps even justifying her role as someone who works for the devil. However, it’s essential to remember that this is only an interpretation based on limited information provided in the original statement. People’s motivations and thoughts are often complex, and a single interaction can’t fully capture the intricacies of their lives.
As someone who has spent years working with individuals grappling with their spirituality and faith, I can relate to Ruth’s concern for Lee’s well-being. From my perspective, it seemed as though Ruth viewed Lee’s apparent neglect of her prayers as a dangerous oversight. She saw herself as a protective figure, trying to warn Lee of the potential harm that could come from straying too far from their religious practices.
As I scroll through Twitter, I can’t help but notice a flurry of excited responses from younger viewers. They seem to have recently discovered that you, Sir, were none other than Alia Atreides in David Lynch’s iconic adaptation of Dune. Your collaboration with the brilliant director didn’t stop there; you worked together on a few more projects, but Twin Peaks: The Return stands out as particularly noteworthy. This is an intriguing case of a director reconnecting with a child actor in their adult years.
As a gamer, I can’t help but ponder over the twists and turns my life would have taken without David being a part of it. I may be someone who prays frequently, but I strongly believe that certain people and experiences are predestined for us in this world. So, with utmost conviction, I hold that our paths were meant to cross.
Having gone through a remarkable journey, I can’t help but look back at my life with a sense of awe and gratitude. It all started when I was cast in the iconic role of “Dune,” an experience that left an indelible mark on me. From the moment I stepped onto that set, I knew deep down that acting was what I was meant to do for the rest of my life. Little did I know that someone could make a living by bringing characters to life, but with unwavering determination and belief in myself, I pursued this dream.
At the age of 17, I got my first adult role when he hired me for “Hotel Room.” This part, set in 1936, required me to portray a young woman who had tragically lost a child and was dealing with mental instability through multiple personality disorder. This opportunity paved the way for more roles that came my way over the following years.
The Return” with David Lynch felt like stepping into a time capsule. The connection was instant, as if no time had passed at all since we last were part of the Twin Peaks universe. I trusted him implicitly because I wasn’t given a script or any details about my scenes. He simply told me that I would be playing Gersten Hayward again. So, I surrendered to his direction and let go, resulting in an otherworldly acting experience for me. David is like a beloved family member or an uncle to me; I’ve known him since childhood, and I hold deep affection and appreciation for this remarkable artist.
As a seasoned actress with years of experience under my belt, I’ve had my fair share of unexpected twists and turns in my career. But nothing quite compares to the surreal turn of events that led me to work with the enigmatic David Lynch on his groundbreaking series “Twin Peaks: The Return.”
***
Longlegs is now playing in movie theaters.
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2024-07-17 03:26