Creeping Suspense that Falters in the End Longlegs begins on a chilling note, drawing the audience into a world of suspense and creepy atmosphere. The movie's directing style builds tension slowly, focusing on tone over traditional jump scares. It creates a quiet horror that left me with an unsettling feeling throughout.
The camera movement, angles, and composition heightened the suspense, making my imagination feels as though something terrifying was lurking, even when nothing was actually happening. I especially enjoyed the use of lighting and wide shots, which amplified the film's haunting visuals and allowed my imagination to fill in the gaps, adding to the dread.
The acting stands out, especially from Nicolas Cage. I've always seen him as perfect for a role like this, but it took Osgood Perkins's vision to truly bring that potential to life. I also enjoyed the early scenes between the FBI agent and her mother on the telephone. The scenes were well acted, showing only one side of the conversation while leaving the other side unheard and unseen, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue that kept me on edge.
However, in the final chapter, Longlegs begins to unravel. The narrative, which had been carefully built up with suspense and mystery, starts to feel rushed. The story's twists and character arcs lose their depth, as though the film is racing to an ending rather than letting the story naturally unfold. After all the suspenseful build-up, the mystery's resolution felt flat and unsatisfying. It's as if the movie lost its sense of purpose, and the payoff didn't live up to the setup. Instead of a shocking or thought provoking twist, the ending left me feeling indifferent, as though the journey had been for nothing.
The film's style and Nicolas Cage's performance might be worth watching, but if you're hoping for a narrative that follows through on its promise, you may end up disappointed.