Nicolas Cage’s Longlegs Becomes Surprise Streaming Hit

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Longlegs, the chilling horror movie from 2024 by Osgood “Oz” Perkins, is now a streaming success. The film just debuted on Hulu, and in just a few short days, it’s already surged up the streamer’s rankings. As I write this, it holds the number one spot on Hulu’s most-watched films, outpacing big-budget blockbusters such as Avatar and Titanic, and beloved animated films like The Incredibles, Ratatouille and Finding Nemo.

Under the guidance of director Perkins, “Longlegs” was among last year’s top horror originals. The narrative unfolds around an FBI agent tasked with probing a string of puzzling murder-suicide incidents in Oregon, which could potentially be linked to her own history.

Per the film’s official synopsis:

FBI Agent Lee Harker, a talented novice, is assigned to an old, mysterious case involving a cunning serial killer who remains unidentified. As the investigation progresses, it reveals hints of the supernatural. In the process, Agent Harker uncovers a chilling personal link to the ruthless murderer and must hurry to prevent further tragic deaths of innocent families before it’s too late.

“I Thought ‘Longlegs’ Was Funny as Sh*t”

The movie titled “Longlegs” features stars such as Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, Blair Underwood, Alicia Witt, and Kiernan Shipka, along with others. This film was made on a budget under $10 million, but went on to earn over $126 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing independent movie of 2024 and director Perkins’ most successful project so far.

In a collaborative arrangement with independent distribution studio Neon, the distinctive promotional strategy for the movie was established by Perkins. This strategy employed various tactics such as enigmatic emails and cryptic billboards displaying phone numbers linked to pre-recorded messages, while always maintaining a veil of secrecy that fueled widespread excitement beyond usual levels. As a result, the film “Longlegs” grossed an impressive $10 million on its premiere day, leading Perkins to believe that Neon was the ideal studio for marketing his upcoming movie, titled “The Monkey.

On February 21, 2025, Perkins’ new movie titled “The Monkey” hit theaters, and it’s expected to add another success to the director’s and Neon’s list. Known for his knack for creating unique horror films that leave a mark, Perkins has shown he’s a dependable filmmaker. Interestingly, not many directors get multiple major releases in such quick succession, but Perkins has demonstrated that his films can rake in the dough too.

Perkins chatted with Bloody Disgusting to generate buzz for “The Monkey“, an outrageous horror-comedy loosely based on a short story by Stephen King. This film is bound to dominate horror discussions this weekend, even though it differs greatly from other movies. However, the director surprisingly pointed out that they have more in common than one might initially think.

They talk to each other since they are both creations of mine, and we’re all grappling with similar themes across these films. If these stories mirror my thoughts, emotions, and struggles, then that’s what they represent – an exploration of my inner self. It’s like observing artists who paint the same fundamental image repeatedly.

I often find myself repeating similar tasks in my job, albeit in various shapes and forms. Yet, I couldn’t help but find Longlegs hilarious. In fact, I am known for my frequent laughter, whether it’s at work or elsewhere. My laughter was particularly noticeable during Longlegs as Maika Monroe found it challenging due to my consistent giggling throughout her scenes. To be honest, the character in Longlegs was simply irresistible and amusing to me.

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2025-02-23 03:33