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- What Is Longlegs About?
- Longlegs’ Marketing Plan Was Deliberate From the Get-Go
- How Longlegs’ Marketing Captivated Viewers
- Will There Be a Longlegs Sequel?
As a horror enthusiast with over two decades of immersive experiences under my belt, I can wholeheartedly appreciate Neon’s marketing tactics for the chilling and enigmatic thriller, “Longlegs.” The way they kept Nicolas Cage’s unnerving transformation as Longlegs shrouded in mystery until the very last moment was a masterclass in suspense and anticipation.
Due to an exceptional marketing effort, Oz Perkins’ latest horror thriller, “Longlegs,” experienced tremendous commercial success upon its July 12, 2024 release. The movie generated an impressive $22.6 million in box office sales during its debut weekend (according to Box Office Mojo), fueling speculation that Perkins, the talented offspring of renowned actor and “Psycho” star Anthony Perkins, is set to make a significant impact on the horror film industry.
Despite being more effective as a chilling crime thriller than a fright-fest for experienced horror viewers, “Longlegs” keeps audiences on edge with the enigmatic presence of Nicolas Cage as the terrifying title character. Perkins devised a marketing plan to downplay Cage’s role in the film, compelling Neon to innovate and attract viewers through unconventional means. The gamble paid off, with “Longlegs” being a top contender for the best horror movie of 2024.
What Is Longlegs About?
In the year 1995, set against the backdrop of Oregon, I found myself immersed in the chilling crime thriller “Longlegs.” This haunting tale was brought to life by the skilled hands of writer-director Oz Perkins. The narrative centers around me, an FBI agent named Lee Harker, who is tormented by a past that left him with a sixth sense, making us both a hunter and hunted.
As a gamer, I’d put on my detective hat and delve into the chilling mystery. When I hear that each family killing involves the father taking the lives of every family member followed by his own suicide, I start to gather the puzzle pieces. What makes this case even more bizarre is that each tragedy unfolds six days before or after the daughter’s birthday, which conveniently falls on the 14th of every month.
Harker discovers the true identity of Longlegs as the disturbed Cobble, revealing his sad past with chilling connections to Harker’s childhood and her 13th birthday. Despite acknowledging that Cobble is behind the family massacres resembling murder-suicides, Harker concludes that he never personally enters homes but relies on an accomplice to carry out his sinister plans. Although the ending may be foreseeable and lacking in terror for seasoned horror viewers, Longlegs remains a skillfully crafted crime thriller that intensifies the ominous atmosphere surrounding Nicolas Cage’s enigmatic and unrecognizable expression.
Longlegs’ Marketing Plan Was Deliberate From the Get-Go
In the world of film design, the marketing materials for “Longlegs” deliberately downplayed the role of Nicolas Cage. During early showings of the movie, audiences praised Cage’s intense portrayal of Longlegs but raised fears that his terrifying appearance might deter potential viewers. To address this concern, Perkins came up with a strategy: he aimed to keep Cage’s association with the film minimal and exclude visuals of his character from posters, trailers, previews, online advertisements, and TV commercials as much as possible. The objective was to prevent scaring viewers beforehand and let them experience Cage’s captivating horror performance in the cinema.
In an interview with Polygon, Perkins discussed the clever marketing strategy he employed and revealed how he utilized well-known crime thrillers as a decoy.
“To help the audience get acquainted with the style and tone of my new work, I’ve drawn inspiration from films like ‘Silence of the Lambs,’ ‘Se7en,’ and ‘Zodiac.’ By exposing them to these references, I believe the viewers will be prepared and engaged, making it easier for them to follow the more complex and unconventional aspects that come later. Previously, my movies might have been too abstract or challenging for some, so I’m aiming to create a piece that is more relatable and accessible to a wider audience.”
Perkins spoke about selecting Cage as the actor for the part, whom he had initially considered, together with Brad Pitt, as top contenders. After Cage showed great interest in the script, Perkins remarked:
“I won’t attempt to transform him into someone else or tone down his unique qualities. If you want Nicolas Cage’s unpredictability in your project, then that’s exactly what you’ll get. You simply have to trust and believe that his quirks will add value to the production. In this instance, it truly pays off.”
How Longlegs’ Marketing Captivated Viewers
In a captivating yet slightly unhinged way, Cage portrays an angel of death with a touch of restraint and chaos, reminiscent of a menacing tooth fairy or boogeyman lurking around on children’s birthdays. Notably, Neon released the Oregon-based film “Pig,” which Cage considers his finest acting work in a movie. By examining these two performances side by side, it becomes clear that Cage continues to showcase an impressive range as an actor.
An alternative way to express Neon’s marketing strategy for “Longlegs” included the unexpected encounter between Maika Monroe’s character Lee and Nicolas Cage on set. Prior to filming this scene, Monroe wasn’t informed about Cage’s radical makeover. When their first meeting took place in an interrogation room, production staff recorded Monroe’s genuine heart reaction using a microphone connected to her shirt. Her heart rate escalated dramatically from 76 beats per minute to an alarming 170 BPM upon seeing Cage in character. This authentic moment was captured on film and shared online, while keeping Cage’s face concealed to maintain the enigma.
Serious horror enthusiasts might feel let down by the absence of frightening moments in “Longlegs,” as suggested by its intriguing promotional materials. However, keeping Nicolas Cage’s character enshrouded in secrecy was an intentional choice on Perkins’ part.
“We’ve kept something secret, shrouded from view like beneath a theater curtain. The excitement builds when many spectators gather to reveal the surprise. I’m pleased that our film thrives in such a live, communal setting.”
Will There Be a Longlegs Sequel?
Based on the significant box office revenue of around $22.6 million and high critical acclaim with an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for “Longlegs,” it’s highly probable that a movie follow-up will ensue. However, if Perkins intends to proceed with the narrative involving Lee Harker and Longlegs, he will have to do so without Nic Cage’s involvement. Despite delivering an exceptional portrayal as the sinister Luciferian antagonist in the film, Cage has made it clear that he won’t be a part of any sequels and prefers to move away from such dark and violent roles. In an interview with IndieWire for the film promotion, Cage expressed his stance on the matter.
After the release of “Longlegs,” I’m expecting my phone to constantly ring with offers for serial killer roles, which isn’t my preference. I’m not fond of portraying violence or harming others on screen.
If a sequel is produced without Cage, recreating Neon’s effective promotional efforts will be challenging. A significant aspect of Neon’s successful marketing campaign was the use of the phone number, (458) 666-4355, where fans could call and hear a chilling message from Cage as Longlegs. Additionally, there is a symbolic connection to the phone number, as “666” holds importance in Harker’s interpretation of Longlegs’ letters.
At first, people were put off by Cage’s terrifying performance in “Longlegs,” but this initial reaction turned into an effective marketing strategy. Despite concealing Cage in the promotional materials, “Longlegs” outperformed many of its competitors at the box office and came in 2nd place behind “Despicable Me 4” during its opening weekend.
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2024-07-18 00:02