The Horror of Disappointment: Why LONGLEGS Falls Flat

The anticipation was electric, but the payoff was a letdown.

As a self-proclaimed horror junkie, I was salivating at the prospect of LONGLEGS, the latest thriller to hit theaters. The marketing campaign was a masterclass in suspense-building, and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into the film. But, alas, the final product failed to deliver on its lofty promises.

A Slow Burn that Fizzles Out

From the opening scene, it was clear that LONGLEGS was going to be a slow burn. Now, I’m not one to shy away from a deliberately paced horror film, but this one never seemed to ignite. My 19-year-old daughter, a fellow horror enthusiast, turned to me halfway through and whispered, ‘This is boring.’ I had to agree. Where was the terror? The tension? The sense of unease that keeps you on the edge of your seat?

A Misguided Comparison

Some have likened LONGLEGS to the classics, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and SE7EN. Let me tell you, those comparisons are grossly overstated. LONGLEGS lacks the masterful storytelling and masterful direction that made those films so unforgettable. Nicolas Cage, playing the unhinged serial killer, brings his signature flair to the role, but even he can’t elevate the film above its mediocre script.

A Disappointing Ride

Directed by Oz Perkins, LONGLEGS follows Maika Monroe’s character, Lee Harker, a gifted FBI agent assigned to an unsolved serial killer case. The story promises a complex narrative, unearthing evidence of the occult and a personal connection between Harker and the killer. Sounds intriguing, right? But the execution falls flat. The film’s slow pace and lack of a climactic payoff left me, and my daughter, underwhelmed.

Nicolas Cage brings his A-game, but it’s not enough to save the film.

A Flicker of Hope for Die-Hard Fans

While LONGLEGS didn’t do it for me, die-hard horror fans might still find something to appreciate. Maybe you’ll be more tolerant of the film’s shortcomings than I was. But for me, this one was a letdown.

Longlegs: a disappointing addition to the horror canon.