Longlegs: A Twisted Ride Through the Mind of a Serial Killer, With a Touch of Gus Van Sant
Longlegs, the upcoming psychological horror film directed by Osgood Perkins, is generating buzz for its unconventional marketing campaign, its unsettling narrative, and its unexpected performance by the legendary Nicolas Cage. But beyond the shock value, Perkins crafts a film that, while paying homage to classics like The Silence of the Lambs, carves its own path, delving into the chilling darkness of a serial killer’s mind and the haunting beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
In a recent interview with io9, Perkins delved into the creative process behind the film, discussing his unconventional approach to directing Cage, his deliberate nods to cinematic influences, and the surprising anxieties that fueled the film’s disturbing yet oddly captivating atmosphere.
Marketing Mayhem: "Longlegs" gained attention even before its release thanks to a unique marketing strategy that embraced the film’s unsettling aesthetic. Perkins clarifies his role in the process: "None of it was my idea. I was involved as much as they wanted me to be… The one thing I only ever asked them was to maintain the aspect ratios of the picture in the materials – and they have, and they sort of turned that square look into one of the sort of lead feelings of the movie." This deliberate choice to maintain the square aspect ratio, reflecting the film’s unconventional approach to horror, helped to build anticipation and establish a distinct visual identity.
A Disturbingly Fun Experience: Perkins’ vision for "Longlegs" is one of dark humor and unsettling entertainment. "It’s kind of overwhelming… Everybody seems to like it. I haven’t come across someone who doesn’t think it’s pretty okay. And that’s a weird thing… the thing that’s weirdest for me is how disturbing people find it to be and how haunted people are by it….I just tried to make a fun movie. I think it’s mostly funny." This unexpected blend of disturbing imagery and dark humor is a signature of Perkins’ style, creating a unique viewing experience that is both unsettling and oddly entertaining.
A Deliberate Homage to "The Silence of the Lambs": Perkins is open about his specific intent to evoke the unsettling atmosphere of The Silence of the Lambs, stating: "It’s a deliberate one-for-one relationship. When I sat down to write the movie, the question in my mind was: what’s the invitation to the audience that I can make early on that sort of gets people in the roller coaster car?…For me, ‘Silence of the Lambs’… [came out] when I was 15 or 16-ish [when] I really started getting interested in movies, and all of a sudden you’re handed this immaculate thing… I just cheated. I just used it as a crib, as a way to soften or tenderize the audience, to say, ‘You know, it’s this! You remember this.’ And then, of course, take a pretty hard left turn to make it not that at all." This deliberate strategy of drawing viewers in with a familiar trope before subverting expectations is key to the film’s unsettling effect.
A 1990s Setting: The film’s 1990s setting isn’t merely stylistic; it serves a narrative purpose. "It was how can we make this movie feel like ‘Silence of the Lambs’ and how can we use the credit that comes with that to our advantage?…so, yeah, the idea was to make it look like ‘Silence of the Lambs’ or ‘Se7en’." This nostalgic backdrop creates a familiar feeling of grittiness and suspense, amplifying the disturbing elements of the story.
Drawing on True-Crime History: The setting of "Longlegs" in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Oregon, is no coincidence. "It’s drawing on the serial killer history… Vancouver is an exquisite place to make movies… it also felt a lot like a Gus Van Sant moment." By tapping into the region’s real-life crime history, Perkins creates a sense of realistic dread, grounding the film’s fictional narrative in a tangible sense of place.
Contrasting Performances: The film features two distinct acting styles, with Nicolas Cage’s over-the-top, unsettling performance contrasted with Maika Monroe’s reserved, focused portrayal. "They only share one scene together, which he really powers, so I felt like we were going to be able to sort of find it in the editing room… which is where what the movie really is, [where it] reveals itself… And yes I was conscious of the fact that I had two very counterweight, counterbalancing energies… you get to balance your picture with two extremes." This calculated juxtaposition of performances creates a dynamic tension that pushes the narrative forward.
A Collaborative Vision with Cage: Perkins reveals that Cage, beyond his acting, brought a collaborative energy to the project. "When his name was brought up as someone who might read it, of course I jumped at it. And then from there, he’s not hands-on – he’s not imposing notes on the process… If anything, he’s trying to take what’s written and make it work for him, as opposed to the other way around." The film’s unique vision, both in terms of narrative and visual style, is clearly a product of the collaboration between Perkins and the legendary actor.
Cage’s Shocking Transformation: Cage’s transformative performance in "Longlegs" is one of the film’s most talked-about elements. Perkins outlines the creative process behind Cage’s unsettling appearance: "The collaboration is between me and Nic, the costume people, the wig people, the special effects makeup people… A lot of it I brought to it – a lot of it’s written in the script… His pale face, his pale makeup was always a thing. That’s derived from Bob Dylan and the Rolling Thunder Revue. This kind of quality of being someone who performs…" Cage embodies a character who is both chillingly dangerous and strangely vulnerable, pushing the boundaries of his own acting style to create a captivating and unsettling performance.
The Essence of Longlegs’ Symbolism: The film delves into the character’s fascination with T. rex and Marc Bolan, a captivating choice driven by Perkins’ approach to creative inspiration. "It’s one of those things where, as the creator of this stuff, I don’t pretend to know everything, and I don’t pretend to be in control… As I was forming this movie, and this script, and this world, and this character, T. rex was an artist that I didn’t really know very well and had kind of heard of a couple of times, but then all of a sudden it was in my space… It just came to that space… And I really do think it’s my job as the writer, as the creator of the thing, to just listen to what’s happening around me." By embracing these unlikely influences, Perkins reveals a deeper layer of meaning, delving into the character’s psyche and the unsettling motivations behind his actions.
Longlegs promises to be a thrilling and disturbing ride not for the faint of heart. The film’s unique blend of dark humor, psychological suspense, and unsettling visuals, coupled with a haunting performance from Nicolas Cage, creates a unique viewing experience that is sure to leave audiences enthralled and disturbed in equal measure. Whether you’re a fan of classic psychological thrillers or seeking a new and unsettling cinematic experience, "Longlegs" is a film that will challenge your expectations, leave you unnerved, and ultimately, make you question what truly lies beneath the surface of human nature.
