MOVIE REVIEW: LONGLEGS

 

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.

Director: Oz Perkins

Cast: Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Alicia Witt, Blair Underwood, Kiernan Shipka

Release Date: July 12, 2024

Genre: Crime, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for bloody violence, disturbing images and some language.

Runtime: 1h 41m

Review:

Oz Perkins' latest film, Longlegs, is an atmospheric amalgam of The Silence of the Lambs and Se7en lead by a strong, tortured turn from Maika Monroe and utterly unrestrained performance from Nicolas Cage.  Perkins film is beautifully shot with each sequence carefully constructed so as to illicit a foreboding sense of dread and unease even during the most mundane moments.  He again displays his innate ability to create a consistent and almost oppressive sense of tension throughout his films which he does in spades here.  The tension builds at a steady rate with only a few missteps here and there, less Nicolas Cage would have served the film better, to break the overall mood.  Cage is effectively creepy when he pops up, aided by heavy make up and prosthetics, and it’s clear that Perkins gave him carte blanche to do whatever he wants.  The result is a mixed bag since there are moments that take you out of the overall mood when Cage's unrestrained nuttiness is unleashed for tad too long.  This is a perfect case of less is more especially as the film spends so much time establishing a pervasive, uncomfortable mood as it delivers a series of nightmarish images that are sure to linger after the film ends.  Maika Monroe guides us through it all with an impressive, understated performance that might be one of the best of her career.  Her character is a tortured savant with barely functioning people skills that is like a mix of Clarice Starling and Dustin Hoffman's Rain Man.  It’s a nuanced measured turn that makes her the most interesting performer onscreen for the majority of the film.  The moments she shares with Alicia Witt, who's just as creepy as Cage but more measured, are just as disquieting as anything the film throws at you.  Blair Underwood is solid in a supporting role as Harker's boss and Kiernan Shipka leaves a noticeable impression in a small role.  Those looking for logical story progression might be left a little frustrated since it doesn't hold up on closer inspection and it doesn't provide any surprises that aren't telegraphed beforehand.  They are minor issues but enough to keep Longlegs from being something truly special.   

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: GRETEL & HANSEL

When their mother descends into madness, siblings Gretel and Hansel must fend for themselves in the dark and unforgiving woods. Hungry and scared, they fortuitously stumble upon a bounty of food left outside an isolated home. Invited inside by the seemingly friendly owner, the children soon suspect that her generous but mysterious behavior is part of a sinister plan to do them harm.

Director: Oz Perkins

Cast: Sophia Lillis, Charles Babalola, Jessica De Gouw, Alice Krige

Release Date: January 24, 2019

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images/thematic content, and brief drug material

Runtime: 1h 27min

Review:

There are certain films that come out of nowhere and end up leaving a major impression.  Oz Perkins’s third film is a visually arresting film that grabs your attention from its opening frame and never really lets it go.  This adaptation of the famous Grimm fairytale follows most of the basics beats but it adjusts portions of the tale to give a more meaty meaning and resonance.  The film is buoyed by two excellent performances from Sophia Lillis and Alice Krige.  Sophia Lillis performances continue to impress and this turn is tailor made for her ability to emote strength and intelligence.  She’s displays a maturity that some actors never reach but she’s boosted here by her interplay with Alice Krige.  Krige is the kind of character actor that really seems to relish being hidden behind make up and costuming. Krige and Lillis scenes together are some of the film’s highlights as the mentor and student relationship plays out.  The story plays out in an interesting and clever way while Perkin’s borrows heavily on cues from Dario Argento and Stanley Kubrick that will delight horror aficionados.   If there is a small issue it’s that for a horror movie it’s never really scary instead it’s atmospheric and moody.  Ultimately, it almost feels like the remake of Suspira people wanted all along. 

A-