Longlegs Movie Review: A Satanic Silence of the Lambs? (7.5/10)
Official Movie URL: https://www.longlegs.film/
Cast & Crew
Directed by: Oz Perkins
Starring: Maika Monroe of It Follows, Nicolas Cage of Vampire’s Kiss
Does Longlegs Live Up to Its Own Hype?
When a movie markets itself as “the best serial killer horror film since The Silence of the Lambs,” it sets a high bar. That’s exactly what happened with Longlegs, a film that leans into chilling visuals, a creeping sense of dread, and Nicolas Cage in one of his eeriest roles yet. But does it truly belong in the same conversation as Silence of the Lambs?
Many films have tackled the serial killer genre since 1991, from Se7en and American Psycho to Monster and Frailty. While Longlegs successfully carves out its own identity with a supernatural twist, its execution doesn’t always reach the level of psychological depth that made Silence an enduring classic.
Parallels Between Longlegs and Silence of the Lambs
There’s an undeniable structural similarity between the two films:
- Lee Harker = Clarice Starling
- Longlegs = Buffalo Bill
- William Carter = Jack Crawford
- Satan = Hannibal Lecter
Like Clarice, Lee Harker is methodical, intelligent, and deeply connected to the case she’s working on. Longlegs, like Buffalo Bill, is an elusive yet unsettling figure who taunts law enforcement while committing horrific acts. Meanwhile, the presence of Satan in the film serves a similar function to Hannibal Lecter—an ominous, manipulative force lurking in the background.
However, where Silence of the Lambs excelled was in its layered villain. Buffalo Bill’s backstory unfolds like a puzzle, piece by piece. In contrast, Longlegs leaves much of its titular character shrouded in mystery—perhaps too much so.
The Missed Opportunity With Nicolas Cage
For a film named after its antagonist, Longlegs himself feels underdeveloped. And with Nicolas Cage in the role, that feels like a missed opportunity.
One of the most fascinating things about The Silence of the Lambs is how we slowly come to understand Buffalo Bill—his motives, his past, his disturbing worldview. Every scene with him gives us another breadcrumb. Longlegs, on the other hand, gives us almost nothing. He has an unsettling presence, yes. But beyond his surgically altered face and erratic singing, we get no real insight into who he is.
It wasn’t until I read interviews with director Oz Perkins that I even learned Longlegs was supposed to have been a glam rock star who underwent extreme plastic surgery before embracing Satanism. That’s a fascinating backstory—but none of it is actually in the movie.
And this is where I feel Longlegs misses the mark. Nicolas Cage is an actor with incredible range. His performance in Pig is a testament to how powerful he can be when working in restraint. He doesn’t need to go full Cage to be memorable. But he does need material that allows him to create a fully realized character. Longlegs doesn’t give him that.
What Worked Well
- Atmosphere & Cinematography – The film is visually stunning, dripping with eerie, dreamlike dread.
- Maika Monroe’s Performance – She carries the film with a quiet intensity that feels authentic.
- Slow-Burning Terror – The movie never relies on cheap jump scares, instead letting its horror build naturally.
Is Longlegs Worth Watching?
Absolutely. Longlegs is an unsettling, visually arresting film that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. Oz Perkins has crafted something unique, a horror film that isn’t afraid to take risks. But while it excels in mood and atmosphere, it falls short in fully fleshing out its villain—especially considering it had Nicolas Cage in the role.
Would I recommend it? Yes. Would I put it in the same league as The Silence of the Lambs? Not quite.
⚰️📼 Keep your coffin cozy and your horror collection cursed—until next time, fiends!
Paul Francis Jones - 3/18/2025
