‘Longlegs' Screens at Beyond Fest to More Raves

Neon is really pushing hard for us to notice Oz Perkins’ upcoming “Longlegs,” and know what? It’s working. They’ve released three cryptic teasers, a trailer, around half a dozen posters and even low-key screened the film, a few months, before its release, for a handful of carefully selected horror-affiliated critics.

Another unannounced screening occurred on Friday evening, at Beyond Fest, and we have more raves for this film, which seems to have been spawned and nurtured in the fiery furnaces of hell.

This does match the very positive intel that came out of last year’s test screening. One of our readers raved about it, saying “It’s very unsettling and deeply steeped in the satanic panic of the ‘70s serial killer horror.”

A slow burn style, but it’s very unsettling and deeply steeped in the satanic panic of the ‘70s serial killer horror. There’s lots of memorable horror imagery here that’s reminiscent, at times, of similar films like Se7en, Cure, Silence of the Lambs and Zodiac. Cage is so interesting here as the titular serial killer sporting a very disturbing, and true-to-life serial killer look, and the mix of that and his eccentric screen behavior really burrowed under my skin; it’s a performance that will work for some and others might be put off by it, but it is memorable, for sure. Perkins has perfect control over every aspect of the mise-en-scene that it feels so real and inspired. I almost thought it was based on a real-life case. It’s very low on jump scares, but there are two, in particular, here that are so effective and utilize visual/audio tricks I hadn’t seen before, I leapt out of my seat.

Neon again screening this one for geeky horror types shows that they know exactly which audience this film is for. They were very meticulous in selecting where to show this film. With that said, we don’t know much, plot-wise, about this film, but here’s the official synopsis:

Lee Harker, a talented new FBI agent, has been assigned to an unsolved case of a serial killer. As the investigation becomes more complicated and occult evidence is uncovered, Harker realizes a personal link to the ruthless killer and must act quickly to prevent another family murder.

The teasers, trailers and posters hinted at 911 calls, an FBI investigation, and murder. There have been a few blink-and-you'll-miss crime scene shots and some kind of religious component involving prayers, veiled figures, and cults.

“Longlegs” stars Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage. Production on the film wrapped in March 2023 and, once post-prod was completed, Perkins went on to shoot another film, “The Monkey” — due out in 2025, also distributed by Neon. The studio is also backing Perkins’ soon-to-be-shot “Keeper.”