What is Longlegs about? Everything to know about the hit horror movie starring Nicolas Cage

The latest horror flick from writer/director Osgood "Oz" Perkins, Longlegs, is sweeping the internet with its creepy promotion. The film's campaign, involving ambiguous teaser trailers, mysterious movie stills, and behind-the-scenes photographs, left a spooky impression all over social media. The advertising has even reached the social movie reviewing platform Letterboxd, where the film's fictional character Mr. Downstairs made an account and began leaving cryptic messages on several users' review of the movie (and A24's MaXXXine for some reason). It's safe to say Longlegs is stepping all over us this summer.

But what is this viral film about? Why do you see Nicolas Cage all over the marketing? What are critics saying about it? Here’s everything you need to know about Longlegs.

What is Longlegs about?

Set in a wintry Oregon season during the 1990s, rookie FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) is assigned to a decade-spanning case regarding an occult serial killer named Longlegs (Nicolas Cage wearing heavy white powdered makeup). As Harker investigates the history of murders surrounding him, she uncovers some unholy revelations.

Who is in the cast of Longlegs?

Longlegs features a strong, talented cast led by Maika Monroe. The film marks Monroe's sixth leading role in a chilling genre flick. Since her breakout performance in David Robert Mitchell's 2014 cult horror classic It Follows, Monroe has dominated the horror and thriller genres with strong performances in The Guest, Villains, Watcher, and Significant Other.

During production, Monroe was separated from costar Nicolas Cage until it came time for a pivotal scene where she and Longlegs finally met face to face. Monroe previously told EW that her day on set with Cage felt different. She wasn't given any pictures of him in his Longlegs look. "Not only was I seeing Nic — or rather Longlegs — for the first time, but the cameras were rolling at this point," Monroe said. "It was this very surreal, very nerve-wracking experience."

The crew also took advantage of this nerve-wracking moment by hooking Monroe up with a small mic taped to her chest where they could hear her heartbeat, which spiked from 76 to 170 beats per minute once she saw her costar in his satanic serial killer look for the first time.

Following Longlegs, her horror streak will continue in David Robert Mitchell's sequel They Follow, reprising her role as Jaime "Jay" Height, the role that launched her into "Scream Queen" stardom. "Genuinely, this script is so good. It's so good on so many levels," Monroe shared.

Notably, Nicolas Cage stars as the sinister Longlegs whose appearance within the film's entire promotion remained a complete mystery. Even Cage's sentiments about his character are equally mysterious. He shared with EW, "Forget about the movie theater blowing up; the whole city could blow up, nay the country, maybe even the world. He is going to change your reality. Your doors of perception are going to open, and your life is not going to be the same." For the chilling physical appearance of Longlegs, Cage took inspiration from his late mother, Joy Vogelsang, using a memory involving her applying Noxzema cold cream.

Nicolas Cage needs no reintroduction. His work speaks for itself, as he's starred in numerous weird roles in the horror and fantasy genres, including Mandy and Prisoners of the Ghostland, as well as new adored faves like Arcadian and Dream Scenario.

Blair Underwood plays Lee's boss, Agent Carter. Alicia Witt plays Lee's mother, Ruth Harker. Michelle Choi-Lee and Dakota Daulby also plays fellow FBI agents, Browning and Horatio Fisk. Additionally, Kiernan Shipka stars as Longlegs' only surviving victim, Carrie Anne Camera.

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What are critics sayings about Longlegs?

Longlegs has garnered primarily favorable critical acclaim from review aggregating sites: It currently stands at a "certified fresh" 86% on Rotten Tomatoes with 224 reviews and a score of 77/100 "generally favorable" reviews on Metacritic based on 50 critic reviews. Our EW critic gave it a "B" grade: "On paper, there isn’t much that is particularly original in Longlegs, which mixes satanism, cursed dolls, a serial killer, and an FBI investigation. But like the great Miles Davis albums from the late 1960s (see note above re: jazz) it’s more about the tone than the melody. "

When does Longlegs come out?

Longlegs released exclusively in theaters nationwide July 12, 2024. It will take some time for the film to wind up on steaming platforms. When it does, expect it to be available on Hulu, per the streamer and NEON's multi-year exclusivity deal.

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