Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Longlegs 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 8, 2024

“Longlegs” is the fourth film from Osgood Perkins (son of actor Anthony Perkins), and it remains firmly in line with the rest of his oeuvre, including his last endeavor, 2020’s “Gretel & Hansel.” Osgood has a very specific way of making movies, and he’s not in the mood to deviate from his obsessions, with his latest another descent into slow-burn horror with careful compositions, aiming to generate a nightmare visually without much of a story to back up what’s meant to be creeping intensity. “Longlegs” is more of the same from Perkins, with this odyssey into evil not dense enough to overwhelm audiences, finding the screenplay offering limited darkness and lukewarm mystery before it eventually reveals itself, and what’s here is…a bit goofy. It’s also the rare picture that doesn’t benefit from the presence of Nicolas Cage, who appears in a small role, bringing his usual eccentricity with him, and it manages to make something that’s desperate to disturb into something that’s hard to take seriously, finding Perkins in no hurry to restrain what’s become expected broadness.

F.B.I. Agent Lee (Maika Monroe) is brought into the hunt for a suspect in a series of murder-suicides known as Longlegs (Nicolas Cage), with boss Carter (Blair Underwood) eager to work with the young woman’s psychic abilities. Lee is disturbed by the whole investigation, which covers over twenty years of brutal attacks on families, and there’s a personal connection, as Longlegs has reached out to her right before her birthday, giving her the gift of cryptograms. Lee works on solutions and follows whatever clues can be found, trying to get close to a strange man with a bone-white face who seems to have control over others. Lee is concerned about a possible puzzle of death Longlegs may be trying to finish, also checking in with her mother, Ruth (Alicia Witt), returning to a childhood home containing many secrets.

Again, Cage isn’t in much of “Longlegs,” with the character’s presence in the mood of the picture more important to Perkins than the man himself. We do meet the ghoul at the start of the film (which opens with a quote from a song by T. Rex), and while the helmer isn’t ready to show him off in full (that comes later), the oddity of the man is established right away, visiting Lee as a child, delighted to celebrate her upcoming birthday. It’s a moment of contact that carries throughout the story, which catches up with Lee in the 1990s, assigned to locate a dangerous individual in suburbia with her partner. Instead of knocking on doors and asking questions, she knows exactly where the threat resides, pushing out a little mindhunter energy as her psychic abilities are exposed to the F.B.I., and Carter wants more from the rookie.

“Longlegs” tracks Lee’s investigation, with the possible killer connecting with her through puzzling, and she makes her own discoveries along the way, including the presence of strange dolls at the crime scenes. Perkins isn’t making a brain-bleeder here, forgoing a procedural approach, more interested in the cult film potential of the offering. The helmer uses hypnotic editing and static cinematography to try and work his way into the minds of moviegoers, with much of “Longlegs” devoted to atmosphere, not storytelling. The feature certainly shows off its craftmanship, but Perkins isn’t covering any new ground with the endeavor, which often resembles his past pictures, and this robs the effort of some surprise. Those new to the Perkins way may have a different reaction to the work, but it’s somewhat difficult to stay invested in the central mystery when the helmer isn’t very interested in creating characters, just lengthy moments of limited creepiness.

Cage’s return to Lee’s world is the moment when “Longlegs” goes from developing sinister intent to becoming camp to a certain degree, with the actor permitted to go nutty with his portrayal of a diseased, seemingly magical person. Cage’s usual way with funkiness sticks out like a sore thumb, especially when the rest of the cast is instructed to remain as somber as possible. Perkins strives to get his money’s worth with the star, who’s buried under heavy makeup, sure to make him the horror convention cosplay choice for 2024.

Longlegs 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

It's a dark world for "Longlegs," with the 4K presentation dealing with all kinds of limited lighting and general shadow play. Blacks are deep throughout the viewing experience, preserving the general creep of the endeavor. There's a softer sense of interior lighting, while natural light is crisp, working with the winter setting to deliver clear whites. Period hues are defined, handling the cooler look of F.B.I. clothing and blues of denim. Reds are sharp, including rich displays of blood. The broad "pale" look for Longlegs is also clear. Detail is excellent, exploring textured skin particulars and costuming choices. Living spaces and offices are open for examination, and the feature's use of exterior depth is preserved. Highlights are tasteful. Some very brief posterization is detected.

Longlegs 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix secures sharp dialogue exchanges. Performances are all over the place, but the track holds together, handling hushed conversations and screaming fits with comfortable balance and definition. Scoring supports with clarity, delivering intended moods, and rock tunes offer crisp instrumentation and vocals. Musical moods push into the surrounds, joined by horror atmospherics as visuals begin to grow violent. Low-end is active, handling throbbing points of pressure and more boisterous attacks. Sound effects are distinct, including snappy gunfire.

Longlegs 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director Osgood Perkins.

• Interview (4:11, HD) features actress Maika Monroe, who delves into the psychological make-up of her character. The interviewee details story points and examines characterization, also praising the writing, which offered her some emotional baggage to unpack. Co- stars are celebrated, along with writer/director Osgood Perkins.

• Interview (6:07, HD) features writer/director Osgood Perkins, who walks through the story of "Longlegs," crediting "The Silence of the Lambs" as the primary inspiration for his work, trying to revive the creepy serial killer movie. Casting is highlighted, covering Nicolas Cage's effort to make the character his own, also describing Alicia Witt as a "miracle" and Blair Underwood as "sexy and suave."

• Interview (4:30, HD) features actor Blair Underwood, who explores character backstory and relationships. Underwood praises co-star Maika Monroe and the screenplay by Osgood Perkins. And he describes what makes "Longlegs" scary.

• Interview (4:20, HD) features actress Alicia Witt, who walks through character motivation and shares praise for co-star Nicolas Cage. Witt also offers a sales push for "Longlegs," hoping the movie will remind viewers of "situations in their own lives."

• "Evidence" (:18) and "More Evidence" (:16) collect crime scene photos.

• "Clues" (HD) include "Every Year There is Another" (:37), "Remember to Say Your Prayers" (:37), and "We've Been Waiting for Her" (:25).

• Trailers (HD) include a Theatrical Teaser (1:25), Theatrical Trailer (2:21), and "Dirty/Sweet" (2:21).

Longlegs 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Longlegs" has moments of shock, but they're few and far between. Perkins desires to makes something insidious, but he ends up disrupting the flow of malice with a final act that's mostly dependent on a large exposition dump, playing like a television procedural. The movie can be a frustrating watch, almost anticlimactic, and while Perkins has his vision for upsetting screen activity, it's certainly not novel at this point, leaving "Longlegs" lacking a burst of invention to overcome its semi-strained oddity.