In the heart of Los Angeles, the creative minds behind the new horror film “Longlegs” have come together to share their experiences and insights into the making of this chilling thriller. Directed by Osgood Perkins and featuring a stellar cast including Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt, Blair Underwood, and Nicolas Cage, “Longlegs” promises to be a standout in the horror genre.
Maika Monroe, known for her roles in horror films like “It Follows,” takes on the role of FBI agent Lee Harker. Harker is tasked with investigating a series of gruesome murders linked to a mysterious killer known as Longlegs, portrayed by Nicolas Cage. Cage’s transformation into Longlegs is striking, with pale skin, white hair, and a nose prosthetic that adds to the character’s eerie presence.
Osgood Perkins, the son of the late actor Anthony Perkins, revealed that Cage required minimal direction to bring Longlegs to life. Perkins emphasized the importance of maintaining a relaxed atmosphere on set, even when dealing with intense subject matter. This approach, he believes, allows for more natural and compelling performances.
“If we create while we’re relaxed, better things will happen,” Perkins explained. “The really gratifying thing is watching someone as gifted as him find a way to tailor himself to meet the text, as opposed to tailoring the text to meet himself.”
Monroe was drawn to the film’s unique blend of elements, which allowed her to explore the role of a professional investigator while delving into the film’s unsettling revelations. She likened “Longlegs” to classic crime thrillers such as “Silence of the Lambs” and “Seven,” but noted that it ultimately became its own distinct entity.
“It mixed a lot of some of my favorite films, like ‘Silence of the Lambs,’ ‘Seven,’ these classic crime thrillers,” Monroe said. “And yet it sort of became its own thing by the end.”
Throughout the investigation, Harker frequently communicates with her mother, Ruth, played by Alicia Witt. When Harker finally visits Ruth, it becomes apparent that the malevolent force driving Longlegs has also touched her. Witt’s portrayal of Ruth is marked by an unsettling smile as she reveals secrets from Harker’s childhood. Witt described her collaboration with Perkins as a dream come true, highlighting their ability to communicate intuitively.
“I felt like I had found a creative partner that I could only dream of,” Witt said of Perkins. “We could communicate with nothing but a glance across the room and I would know what he needed from me or if he got what he needed.”
Witt also shared a similar intuitive connection with Cage, who remained in character on set while still being polite and friendly. She appreciated the unspoken understanding they developed during their collaboration.
“I loved those looks that we had where he was like, ‘I see what you’re doing,’ and I was like, ‘I see what you’re doing,'” Witt said.
Blair Underwood, who plays Agent Carter, Harker’s superior, joined the production in the second week of shooting. Perkins provided Underwood with materials from the first week to help him understand the film’s tone and atmosphere. Underwood praised Perkins for his attention to detail and his ability to create a grounded, unsettling reality.
“It’s not fantasy,” Underwood said. “It’s not overly extreme. It’s very grounded in reality. I think that adds to the unsettling aspect of it.”
The film raises questions about Harker’s investigative skills, hinting at the possibility of a psychic element. While Monroe declined to take a definitive position on this, Perkins acknowledged that there is something beyond traditional detective work guiding Harker.
“She’s got help,” Perkins said. “She’s being helped by something unseen. She’s got a guiding hand. She’s got an unfair advantage.”
Underwood’s character, Carter, also grapples with Harker’s enigmatic abilities. Despite not fully understanding her methods, Carter supports Harker’s instincts as long as they lead to Longlegs.
“She’s quirky how she presents herself, but she’s dialed in, somehow,” Underwood said. “So I think he believes from the very beginning she has an intuition that he’s just going to try to ride out, but he doesn’t quite understand.”
“Longlegs” has already garnered significant attention, earning a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes ahead of its U.S. release. Critics have praised the film for its ability to get under the viewer’s skin and create a lasting impact. Slashfilm described it as “the most terrifying horror movie of 2024,” while Flickering Myth went even further, calling it “the scariest film of the decade.”
Bloody Disgusting highlighted the film’s ability to immerse viewers in the repulsive, discomforting nature of evil through terrifying imagery and a tactile atmosphere. IGN noted that “Longlegs” feels familiar yet distinct, with an “evil filter” that adds to its unsettling nature.
Directed by Oz Perkins, who also wrote the screenplay, “Longlegs” features a talented cast that includes Monroe, Cage, Witt, and Underwood. The film is set to hit U.S. theaters on July 12, promising a summer scare that will linger long after the credits roll.
Source: UPI, Slashfilm, Flickering Myth, Bloody Disgusting, IGN
