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'Longlegs' will haunt your nightmares and 'hijack your subconscious,' critics say
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Date:2025-04-18 01:01:12
The reviews are in and the critics agree unanimously: "Longlegs" is absolutely terrifying.
Neon's horror thriller film, starring Nicolas Cage as an unstable rural dollmaker and Maika Monroe as a young FBI agent, had its red carpet premiere at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday.
Fans in attendance were each gifted a red 45" vinyl covered in "Longlegs Cipher," but left the theater too scared to play the soundtrack.
"Longlegs" is the latest film from actor and screenwriter Osgood "Oz" Perkins, who is also the son of Anthony Perkins, the star of Alfred Hitchcock’s "Psycho."
The film follows FBI agent Lee Harker (Monroe) as she tackles an unsolved serial killer case plaguing her small Pacific Northwest town, and takes an unexpected, supernatural turn as she discovers a personal connection to the occult killer.
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Here's what critics are saying about "Longlegs."
'Longlegs' will 'hijack your subconscious,' critics say
Critics are calling "Longlegs" a true horror film, with Peter Debruge of Variety writing that it can "hijack your subconscious:" "Less than 12 hours after seeing it, the demented Nicolas Cage character resurfaced in my nightmares."
David Ehrlich of Indie Wire shared a similar sentiment in his review: "Terrifying in the abstract even as it grows increasingly absurd to watch, 'Longlegs' slinks its way into that liminal space between childhood nightmares and grown-up practicalities."
The Hollywood Reporter calls "Longlegs" Perkins' "most fully realized and relentlessly effective film to date," despite concerns that he may "stir too many elements into the mix here."
Neon has used strategic marketing to convey the horror level of this film, releasing a teaser stating that "the first time Maika Monroe saw Nicolas Cage as Longlegs, her heart rate hit 170 bpm."
One user replied, "the marketing for this film (is) so good i’m actually getting worried."
"Longlegs" stars Blair Underwood as Agent Carter and Alicia Witt as Ruth Harker, Lee Harker's ultra-religious mother. The ensemble cast includes Michelle Choi Lee, Dakota Daulby, Lauren Acala, Kieran Shipka, and Maila Hosie.
Watch the 'Longlegs' trailer:
When does 'Longlegs' hit theaters?
"Longlegs" is out in theaters Friday.
veryGood! (8)
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