Last week, one of the most highly anticipated horror films of the year tore into theaters with a surprising box-office success. That film is the latest creation of writer and director Oz Perkins (The Blackcoat’s Daughter, Gretel & Hansel), Longlegs. This film introduces audiences to a young FBI agent tasked with solving a series of bizarre crimes spanning decades. Is it the work of a deranged serial killer or is something far more sinister at work? While I saw Longlegs on opening night, I took my time to let the film really sink in before I decided to write this review. I wanted to sit with the lore for a bit to allow for a better understanding of the events that took place on screen. I’m glad I did, because taking the time to parse through my thoughts and opinions changed my mind from thinking Longlegs was a solidly creepy supernatural crime thriller to fully appreciating Perkins’s brilliance.

On the surface, Longlegs seems like a Silence of the Lambs type crime thriller with religious undertones. As the mystery unfolds, it becomes clear this isn’t the work of a typical serial killer. The autistic-coded young new FBI agent, Lee Harker, is put on the case that no one else can solve because she seems to have a sixth sense for it. She sees the things no one else can see, so she’s tasked with re-examining crime scene photos, evidence, and the killer’s letters written in an uncrackable code. The characters and the crimes are incredibly interesting, but the lore Perkins builds around the killer gives “Longlegs” a sort of mythical status. He commits impossible and otherworldly crimes not for the sake of killing, but for a very specific, demonic purpose. If by the end of the film you feel like you didn’t fully grasp what that purpose is, you’re not alone! There are plenty of articles and videos available to help put the pieces together.

Every single performance in Longlegs is pure perfection. Maika Monroe (The Guest, Watcher) stars as Agent Lee Harker. The highlight of Monroe’s performance is how she shows different sides of Harker’s personality depending on her situation. When Harker has to converse with others, she is awkward and quiet, seeming to be uncomfortable in her own skin. When at a crime scene or looking for patterns and clues in the evidence, Monroe makes it apparent this is where Harker feels the most comfortable and at ease. Monroe’s stoic performance is a stark contrast to Nicolas Cage (Arcadian, Mom and Dad) as the killer nicknamed Longlegs. Longlegs is a larger-than-life character that comes across as an unholy marriage of Tiny Tim and Heath Ledger as the Joker. Cage portrays the character in a way that shows Longlegs has an abundance of rage and insanity bottled up inside that occasionally breaks through his plastered facade. One surprise from the film is Alicia Witt (Urban Legend, 88 Minutes) as Harker’s mother, Ruth. If I had to use one word to describe Witt’s performance, it would be haunted, but there are many layers to both the character and the performance that make Witt truly mesmerizing. Audiences will also witness memorable performances from Blair Underwood (Bad Hair) as Agent Carter and Kiernan Shipka (The Blackcoat’s Daughter) as Carrie Anne Camera.

There is no shortage of disturbing imagery to delight and horrify audiences. Longlegs takes place primarily in Oregon in the 90’s. With this in mind, the film was given a rather gloomy, colorless appearance with a bit of texture to the film that fits with the time period. This somewhat drab appearance allows for the crimes and evidence to further stand out. Without giving too much away, there are elements introduced to the film later on that are not only beautifully fabricated, but also lead to some of the most iconic, frightening imagery of the film. Audiences are also sure to be haunted by the makeup effects done on Cage to bring Longlegs to life. With his wild, wiry hair, and his face appearing like something between botched plastic surgery and a clown, the final look is nightmare-inducing, while also adding another layer of mystery to the character. Tying everything together and moving the plot forward is a frightfully hypnotic musical score by Zilgi (The Blackcoat’s Daughter), also known as Elvis Perkins.

Longlegs rivals crime thrillers of the past by giving audiences an iconic new serial killer, impossible crimes, and a supernaturally twisted mythos to keep you up at night. Perkins has a unique skill for crafting intricate plots in which every minute detail is significant, and that has never been more apparent than in this film. Elements of the plot and the disturbing visuals seamlessly weave together, with the help of brilliant performances, bringing to life the kind of horror thriller that creeps up on audiences and burrows into the brain. While some early reports of Longlegs being the “scariest” film of the year might be exaggerated, it’s impossible to deny the unnerving feeling that looms long after the film ends. See this film on the big screen as soon as you can, and let the unease wash over you like an unholy baptism.

OVERALL RATING: 9/10