Neon has once again stirred the pot of anticipation with a spine-chilling teaser for the upcoming horror film, Longlegs. This latest snippet offers a haunting glimpse of Nicolas Cage in what promises to be one of his most terrifying roles to date. The 30-second teaser opens with Kiernan Shipka’s character being interrogated by Maika Monroe’s detective. “Do you remember anything?” Monroe asks, as a disturbing image of Cage’s eerie, pale-faced killer flashes on the screen. Shipka’s character responds, “It’s like a long dream, and so dark…” The teaser then cuts to unsettling scenes: a life-sized doll on a mortuary table, a woman about to be struck by a blood-soaked assailant, and Cage appearing to sniff another doll. The clip concludes with Shipka’s character saying, “I don’t ever wanna forget him.” It seems we won’t be forgetting him anytime soon either.
Longlegs follows new FBI recruit Lee Harker, played by Monroe, who is assigned to an unsolved murder case linked to an elusive serial killer portrayed by Cage. As the investigation unfolds, Harker discovers a series of occult clues that she must decipher to stop the killer and save his next victim. This isn’t the first time Neon has teased the film. The marketing campaign began with cryptic clips that gave no indication of the movie’s title or cast. The first teaser featuring Cage as the killer was released earlier this year, followed by a full trailer in May. Early reactions from fans and critics have been overwhelmingly positive, with some calling Longlegs the best horror movie of 2024.
The film is written and directed by Osgood Perkins, known for his work on The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel & Hansel. Alongside Cage, Monroe, and Shipka, the cast includes Alicia Witt from The Walking Dead and Blair Underwood from American Crime Story. Longlegs is set to hit theaters on July 12.
Neon’s marketing strategy for Longlegs has been nothing short of ingenious. The campaign kicked off with a teaser titled “every year there is another,” which was released to ring in the New Year. The marketing has been almost like an alternate reality game (ARG), dropping hints, clues, and puzzles along the way. The latest teaser, dubbed “Sweet,” is a puzzle box of a video that continues to build anticipation. This comes after a previous trailer and a series of eerie movie posters that gave horror fans their first look at Cage’s serial killer, whom he describes as a “possessed Geppetto.”
In an interview with The New York Times journalist Kyle Buchanan, Cage elaborated on his character, describing him as a “possessed Geppetto” who creates dolls that infiltrate families and compel them to commit terrible acts. Cage’s character was notably absent from the first cryptic 36-second teaser released on January 5, which added to the mystery surrounding the film. However, news had already broken that Cage would be starring in a horror movie from Neon titled Longlegs. While Cage is mostly absent from the latest “Sweet” teaser, fans can catch a glimpse of him if they slow down the previous trailer.
The film’s ad campaign has also included four eerie movie posters revealing apparent victims of Cage’s killer character. These posters have been instrumental in building the film’s ominous atmosphere and have left fans eagerly awaiting its release. The combination of cryptic teasers, unsettling imagery, and Cage’s chilling performance has set the stage for what promises to be a memorable horror experience.
As the release date approaches, the buzz around Longlegs continues to grow. The film’s unique marketing strategy, combined with its intriguing plot and stellar cast, has made it one of the most anticipated horror movies of the year. With Cage at the helm as the terrifying killer, Longlegs is poised to leave a lasting impression on horror fans.
For those who can’t wait to see Cage in action, the full teaser is available to watch online. The film’s release on July 12 is just around the corner, and fans are counting down the days. Whether you’re a longtime horror aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, Longlegs promises to deliver a chilling and unforgettable experience.
