Longlegs is a film built on vibes, and I have to admit, I grooved on those vibes.

The serial killer thriller takes place in the Pacific Northwest in the 1990s, with some flashbacks to the 1970s – including the atmospheric and chilling opening. Here a rookie FBI agent, who might also be clairvoyant, is assigned to a case where someone is driving men to murder their whole families and kill themselves, leaving behind only cryptic letters yet to be deciphered.

Director Osgood Perkins (son of Psycho star Anthony Perkins) presents much of the film like Silence of the Lambs by way of an X-Files episode. But he also laces it with haunting cinematography and religious horror iconography to brilliant effect. In brief moments of dark humor and through the creeping tonal music score, he also creates the uncanny vibe of a surreal David Lynch melodrama.

At first, I was not sold on Maika Monroe’s performance as Special Agent Lee Harker. Her voice was odd, and she seemed stiff and frail. But when the twist is revealed, her mannerisms and presentation make more sense. Meanwhile, Nicolas Cage in the title role is a nightmarish hoot. Some might accuse Cage of going over-the-top, but it fit with the over-the-top motives. Then there is Lynch alum Alicia Witt, an actress from the 90s who never seemed to fill her full potential…until perhaps now.

Early in the film Perkins has a little girl ask Agent Harker if she always wanted to be an FBI agent. Harker responds that she originally wanted to be an actress, to which the little girl coolly replies something to the effect of “that would’ve messed you up.” Thinking on Perkins’ Hollywood pedigree and start as a child actor, and based on what he puts on displays as a writer/director with Longlegs, I would have to agree.

Longlegs is a hell of a fun time, and will mess you up, if you can groove on its funky unholy vibes.

Review by D. H. Schleicher