Longlegs (2024) is an American horror-thriller film written and directed by Osgood Perkins, featuring a notable cast that includes Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood, and Alicia Witt. Set in the 1990s, the film follows FBI agent Lee Harker (Monroe), who is tasked with investigating a series of chilling murder-suicides across Oregon. Each case involves a father killing his family and himself, leaving behind cryptic letters signed by an elusive figure known as "Longlegs."
The film opens with a haunting scene from 1974, where a young girl with a Polaroid camera encounters a mysterious man, setting the tone for the eerie narrative that unfolds. As Lee delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers occult clues linking the murders to nine-year-old girls born on the 14th of the month. The murders form an occult triangle on a calendar, with one date mysteriously missing. The tension escalates when Lee receives a coded birthday card from Longlegs, warning her that revealing the source of the code will lead to her mother's murder.
Longlegs premiered at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on July 8, 2024, and was released in theaters on July 12, 2024. It received critical acclaim for its chilling atmosphere and strong performances, particularly from Monroe and Cage. Critics have drawn comparisons to classic thrillers like Se7en and The Silence of the Lambs, praising Perkins' direction and the film's ability to create a sense of dread throughout.
The film has performed well at the box office, grossing over $109 million worldwide, making it Neon’s highest-grossing film to date. It has been noted for its impressive cinematography by Andrés Arochi Tinajero and its haunting score by Zilgi, which contribute significantly to the film's unsettling ambiance.
Despite some mixed reviews regarding pacing and plot execution in certain sections, Longlegs has been recognized for its unique storytelling and engaging mystery elements. It was released on VOD on August 23, 2024, followed by physical media releases on September 24, 2024. Overall, Longlegs stands out as a compelling entry in the horror-thriller genre for 2024.