Nicolas Cage’s terrifying new psychological horror movie Longlegs has already been anointed the scariest film of the decade by giddy critics and fans.
There have been confessions of frightened tears, and descriptions ranging from ‘unholy’ and ‘rancid’ to ‘demented’ – the hype is so extreme that it can surely only disappoint fans driven into a frenzy of anticipation.
And that’s especially so, considering that it boasted a rare 100% fresh rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes for a few weeks (and is still on a stunning 91%).
Except I think it won’t, regardless of how you like your horror served up.
Longlegs probably won’t make you cry or faint or scream, but it will creep into your consciousness and under your skin, staying there uncomfortably until long after the credits roll.
It’s a masterclass in building an atmosphere and sustaining an extremely potent level of tension: it takes an nerve-testing 50 minutes – half of the film’s run-time – before you see Cage in his full, freaky serial killer glory.
Writer and director Osgood Perkins, son of Psycho actor Anthony Perkins, knows just how to tease the iconic actor’s fanbase, as the 60-year-old star has been kept hidden in the trailer and public view, as well as largely away from the press.
Even his co-stars didn’t get to see him ahead of time. Lead actress Maika Monroe, who was hooked up to a heart rate monitor while filming her climactic face-to-face with Cage, was so terrified when she saw him in his full, gross get-up, her heartbeat hit a shocking 170bpm.
A lot of Longlegs’ enjoyment is wondering just exactly what it is he’ll look like… and you won’t be disappointed by the stark transformation, which takes inspiration from silent movie star Lon Chaney’s grotesque makeup from the 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera.
Cage is a murderer of several years standing being pursued by FBI agent Lee Harker (a vulnerable yet steely Monroe), who leaves coded letters by the bodies at his crime scenes signed ‘Longlegs’.
As her investigation becomes more complicated, with occult evidence uncovered, Harker discovers a personal link to the killer and must act quickly to end his terrifying killing spree.
Longlegs is a veritable buffet of shudders, hitting all the most popular tropes in the horror genre organically – from devil worship, riddles, nuns and creepy dolls to the classic panic of an intruder being in the house with you and a soundtrack of chilling plucking springs.
You can guess at least one of the twists in Longlegs, but it’s still an entertaining ride to its bloody conclusion.
Cage is absolutely made for his role, which even has room for some trademark off-the-wall Cage-isms, such as him suddenly screaming and rocking as he drives, yowling: ‘Daddy, Mummy! Save me from the hell of living!’
It sounds utterly barmy as I write it – as does his reported 24-minute rendition of ‘happy birthday’ that will haunt you (the phrase ‘birthday girl’ will be ruined forever too) – but it’s deliciously perfect in the film.
No other actor could have pulled this blend of baffling yet monstrous off – and let’s not forget about the sassy ‘mwah!’ he offers as he blows a kiss at one point.
The tension never relents in the well-crafted and unsettling Longlegs, but it’s Cage’s unhinged turn that is deservedly driving the conversation.