'The scariest movie of the decade'
Or at least that's what the poster claimed as I walked into the theatre. In reality I don't think this film is particularly scary at all. The people in the test screening who cooked up that quote must have had some very nervous dispositions indeed.
That isn't a criticism of the film in the slightest though, I just think it is being marketed all wrong. This is not some bombastic, graphic, blood curdling horror. Instead it is a more measured, slow burn, cat and mouse mystery, more akin to the likes of Se7en, Zodiac, or Silence of the Lambs.
It follows FBI agent Lee Harker (played very intensely by a brilliant Maika Monroe) as she pursues the mysterious serial killer 'Longlegs' (an always magnificent Nicolas Cage), identified only by the cryptic notes left at his crime scenes. At its core this isn't an overly original story for the genre, but it is executed well for the most part. I'm not entirely sure the third act did the rest of the film justice, but I will reserve those comments for the message boards so as not to divulge any spoilers. I do think though that it is one of those films where the reveal feels a little too left field.
One thing that truly can't be faulted about this film is the exquisite atmosphere cultivated by Oz Perkins. The moody, dark, gloomy tone and lighting of this film makes the whole thing feel very oppressive. It's unsettling in this way, with every scene and every frame dripping with tension and oozing suspense.
As mentioned already, the two lead performances are terrific in very different ways. Monroe is aloof and distant and gives a commanding lead performance. Cage on the other hand is deranged and gives himself wholly to the performance as he always does. The two of them are superb.
So, should you 'Believe the Hype' with Longlegs? You should believe that it is a very good film that commands your attention from the off and is a sufficiently sinister watch. But is it the 'scariest movie of the decade'? Not a chance.
Or at least that's what the poster claimed as I walked into the theatre. In reality I don't think this film is particularly scary at all. The people in the test screening who cooked up that quote must have had some very nervous dispositions indeed.
That isn't a criticism of the film in the slightest though, I just think it is being marketed all wrong. This is not some bombastic, graphic, blood curdling horror. Instead it is a more measured, slow burn, cat and mouse mystery, more akin to the likes of Se7en, Zodiac, or Silence of the Lambs.
It follows FBI agent Lee Harker (played very intensely by a brilliant Maika Monroe) as she pursues the mysterious serial killer 'Longlegs' (an always magnificent Nicolas Cage), identified only by the cryptic notes left at his crime scenes. At its core this isn't an overly original story for the genre, but it is executed well for the most part. I'm not entirely sure the third act did the rest of the film justice, but I will reserve those comments for the message boards so as not to divulge any spoilers. I do think though that it is one of those films where the reveal feels a little too left field.
One thing that truly can't be faulted about this film is the exquisite atmosphere cultivated by Oz Perkins. The moody, dark, gloomy tone and lighting of this film makes the whole thing feel very oppressive. It's unsettling in this way, with every scene and every frame dripping with tension and oozing suspense.
As mentioned already, the two lead performances are terrific in very different ways. Monroe is aloof and distant and gives a commanding lead performance. Cage on the other hand is deranged and gives himself wholly to the performance as he always does. The two of them are superb.
So, should you 'Believe the Hype' with Longlegs? You should believe that it is a very good film that commands your attention from the off and is a sufficiently sinister watch. But is it the 'scariest movie of the decade'? Not a chance.