As a horror film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for intricately crafted suspense and unsettling atmospheres, I found myself utterly captivated by “Longlegs.” The movie, directed by Osgood Perkins, showcases some of the most exquisite cinematography and chilling performances that I have seen all year. However, my experience with this film was not without its complexities.
Caution: This article discusses the finale of “Longlegs” in great detail. If you’ve yet to watch the horror movie, approach with sensitivity, as if handling a sensitive FBI investigation.
Let me clarify something upfront: I really enjoyed playing “Longlegs” a lot. Just like Alexandra Ramos from TopMob raves about her favorite horror film of 2024 being this one, I find it absolutely chilling with an exquisite build-up of suspense, visually stunning with cinematography that deserves Oscars, and showcasing some top-notch acting performances, regardless of genre. Unfortunately, despite all its merits, I don’t quite fall in love with it.
Osgood Perkins, the writer and director behind “Longlegs,” is known for his connection to horror great Anthony Perkins and the iconic film “Psycho.” The marketing pitch positions “Longlegs” as a serial killer drama with Maika Monroe investigating the decades-long spree of an unhinged Nicolas Cage character. However, upon watching, I discovered that this description only scratches the surface. While the film does involve a serial killer, its true focus is something quite different and unexpected, which left me feeling disappointed after the climax. Let’s delve deeper into “Longlegs” from 2024 for a more nuanced understanding.
What Is The Twist From Longlegs And Why It Has Me Slightly Disappointed
Agent Lee Harker (Monroe) uncovers a shocking truth: her mother, Ruth (Alicia Witt), is suspected of being an accomplice to Longlegs (Dale Ferdinand Cobble). I found this revelation both epic and terrifying. However, as the story unfolds through flashbacks, we come to understand that Ruth was not directly responsible for the deaths of any families. Instead, she delivered dolls to Longlegs that bore a striking resemblance to the nine-year-old daughters of the targeted families. These dolls possessed a mystical, Satanic power that compelled the fathers to commit the murders. In actuality, it was Lee’s own doll that caused her to forget her childhood encounter with Longlegs and her mother’s role in the events until Ruth destroyed it.
Although I typically manage to keep my expectations from coloring my overall impression of a movie, I couldn’t achieve that with “Longlegs.” I had high hopes for this horror film, believing it to be a chilling, yet realistic crime thriller akin to the Best Picture Oscar winner, “The Silence of the Lambs.” However, when the supernatural elements emerged in the story, I held on to the belief that there would be some intelligent explanation for these occurrences. Sadly, my faith was shattered when it was revealed that “Satan’s influence” was indeed the cause of the murders. Initially, I was disappointed by this revelation.
Deconstructing Longlegs’ Twist
In simpler terms, I’m glad I’ve changed my mind about the strange elements in “Longlegs.” The thought of a person introducing real evil into people’s homes and causing them to commit murder is still an alarming concept. Plus, the brief appearances of a cloaked demon figure at crime scenes added to its unsettling atmosphere. However, what truly convinced me that this wasn’t just another serial killer movie was an interview with Osgood Perkins where he clarified that the title character was not the main focus of the story. This revelation explained some of the film’s unexpected elements.
In an interview on The Ringer’s “The Big Picture” podcast, the filmmaker shared his intention behind crafting a story for Longlegs that challenged typical representations of serial killers as unyielding evildoers. Instead, he envisioned Longlegs as a disturbed individual who delved into Satanism and took it to an extreme level. However, the serial killer aspect serves more as a backdrop, revealing the film’s primary theme – the lengths a parent will go to protect their child, even at the expense of others. While I have reservations about how seamlessly these concepts are intertwined, I cannot deny my admiration for the innovative approach and the impressive tonal execution. Nonetheless, I remain somewhat frustrated by the film’s concluding moment.
Why Longlegs’ Final Shot Left Me Even More Disappointed
At the end of “Longlegs,” as Lee shoots down Agent Carter (Blair Underwood) for killing his wife Anna (Carmel Amit) and her mother, Longlegs is unable to destroy a doll that resembles Carter’s young daughter Ruby (Ava Kelders). Her gaze remains fixed on it as the screen fades to black. I’ve observed this pattern in several recent horror films, including “Men” by Alex Garland. This sudden ending in the midst of climactic scenes leaves me feeling frustrated and reconsidering my initial reaction towards “Longlegs.” Despite its generally positive critical acclaim, I began to wonder if it was truly worth watching due to this unsatisfying conclusion.
As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of indie horror, I’ve seen my fair share of unconventional and thought-provoking films. And believe it or not, I’m the guy who thinks “Skinamarink” is a game changer in this genre. The abstract and somewhat nonsensical nightmare that Kyle Edward Ball has created is meant to leave us feeling uneasy and disoriented, much like a real-life horror experience. So, when it ends seemingly out of nowhere, I don’t see it as a flaw, but rather an intentional choice that adds to the film’s eerie atmosphere.
Will Ruby and Lee eventually depart from the story? Has Lee been taken over by something supernatural, leading him to assume his mother’s role? What emotional consequences might they experience following this harrowing incident? Filmmakers should provide a conclusion that is ominous yet not overly ambiguous.
Another possibility: If I can change my perspective about the abstract parts of “Longlegs” and find a more positive outlook, perhaps I’ll be able to enjoy the film’s ambiguous ending in the future. I plan to give it another try once it becomes available on Hulu through Neon’s deal with the platform. For now, let’s move on.
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2024-07-20 16:38