2024 is shaping up to be a standout year for horror movies, and fans of the genre have plenty to look forward to. With “A Quiet Place: Day One” set to release at the end of June and “Alien: Romulus” arriving in August, the excitement is palpable. However, one film that deserves more attention is “Longlegs.”
Nicolas Cage Stars in ‘Longlegs’
Nicolas Cage, known for his versatility in Hollywood, takes on the role of the antagonist in this chilling horror film. Over his career, Cage has successfully navigated various genres and roles. His latest venture, “Longlegs,” has left critics astonished and speechless.
Directed by the acclaimed Oz Perkins, “Longlegs” has shocked critics not only with its disturbing content but also by achieving a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This rare accomplishment sets the stage for what many are calling the most frightening and unsettling film of the decade.
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The Mystery of ‘Longlegs’
The marketing campaign for “Longlegs” has been exceptionally mysterious, with distributor Neon revealing very little about the film’s plot. The official synopsis provides only a glimpse into the story: “FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes an unexpected turn, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.”
Maika Monroe stars as Lee Harker, a determined FBI agent on a mission to prevent more innocent lives from being lost. Nicolas Cage plays the enigmatic killer known as Longlegs, an occult figure whose presence is more felt than seen in the eerie trailer. The focus appears to be on the families targeted by Cage’s character, adding to the movie’s ominous atmosphere.
Critics’ Reactions to ‘Longlegs’
The anticipation for “Longlegs” is fueled by its impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, based on nine early reviews. Critics are praising the film for its ability to deeply unsettle and horrify its audience.
Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting remarked, “Longlegs gets under your skin and stays there, immersing you so thoroughly in the repulsive, discomforting nature of evil through terrifying imagery and a tactile atmosphere that it’s unshakable.” Kate Rife of IGN Movies noted, “There are moments when Longlegs feels like a movie you’ve seen before, but with an evil filter laid over it: This is both a weakness and a strength, as Perkins’ horror surrealism renders the familiar strange, and the strange familiar.”
Additionally, Flickering Myth’s EJ Moreno has dubbed it the “scariest film of the decade,” while Slashfilm’s Bill Bria calls it “the most terrifying horror movie of 2024.”
Fresh Fiction’s Courtney Howard provided a particularly vivid description: “It’s as if Oz Perkins’ cinematic freak-fest was forged in Hell by Satan, who brought it as an artifact into our world as a gift.”
Release Date for ‘Longlegs’
“Longlegs” is set to hit theaters on July 12, giving horror enthusiasts under a month to brace themselves for what promises to be a true horror experience on the big screen. Whether another trailer will be released remains uncertain, but the current unsettling marketing approach by Neon is highly effective.
For those who can’t wait for “Longlegs,” there are plenty of horror movies to enjoy in the meantime. Check out the best horror movies on Netflix, or revisit the cult favorite “X,” which will be re-released in theaters on June 18 ahead of its sequel “MaXXXine.”
