•
Rating: I have met various Satanists in recent years, and I have found people quite different from what a certain cultural and social tradition has imposed on us. I imagine that a true Satanist watching Longlegs would not have been very satisfied with the narrative and representative approach of this film. A film that has been hailed as a breath of fresh air and originality and has enjoyed considerable success among lovers of horror and paranormal thrillers. But I have a very clear idea of what a Satanist would have felt reaching the final scene of the movie, when the heavily made-up and grotesque Nicolas Cage screams "Ave Satana."
A scene that prompts the most fitting final exclamation to comment on the viewing: "What a load of crap, guys."
That said, as far as I'm concerned, Longlegs strongly disappointed my expectations. I say this as a fan of fantastic cinema and also as a cinephile in general. The story starts with promising potential, but soon proves to be extremely derivative and rushed. Thus, a stark contrast is created between the professionalism of the direction and the slapdash feeling that the story accumulates. So many scenes and situations already seen, so many flaws, so many unexplained whys that instead of fueling the sense of mystery, irritate and leave a bitter taste.
And obviously the worn-out backdrop of Satanism as the driving force of it all, without giving the impression that the screenplay is based on a true understanding of the topic. To which one consoles oneself thinking that there might be nutcases and criminals who cloak their deplorable actions in Satanism, but no true Satanist thinks and acts that way. A way which once again serves as a pretext to give substance to a subject that is actually hollow and weary.
Actors are average. Impeccable direction, even if formulaic. Very detailed and functional to the suspense, also thanks to the photography and the slow and symmetrical movement of the camera. But to make a cult classic as it seemed this was supposed to be, you need much more than that.
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By Anatoly
The legs of Evil are always the longest.
Longlegs is a film with a dark atmosphere, made metaphorically icy by snowy settings, as well as chilling content.
By Poldojackson
It starts off well, promises much, more than it delivers.
With a more compact story and a more ‘elevated’ performance it could have been the bomb it promised to be.
By Stanlio
Oz Perkins knows his stuff; he’s written and directed this thrillhorror just right.
The soundtrack by Elvis Brooke Perkins plays a very important role in creating that state of anxiety or 'fear' that precedes the most gruesome or particular scenes.
