Longlegs
Longlegs Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 15, 2026
Movie Overview: Longlegs
| Movie | Longlegs |
| Release Year | 2024 |
| Director | Osgood Perkins |
| Genre | Crime / Horror / Mystery |
| Runtime | 101 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Longlegs (2024) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Longlegs are led by Maika Monroe . The supporting cast, including Nicolas Cage and Blair Underwood , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Longlegs stands out as a strong entry in the Crime genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Crime narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Longlegs has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Crime fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Longlegs
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2024, Longlegs is a Crime, Horror, Mystery film directed by Osgood Perkins. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Maika Monroe.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. FBI Agent Lee Harker is a gifted new recruit assigned to the unsolved case of an elusive serial killer. As the case takes complex turns, unearthing evidence of the occult, Harker discovers a personal connection to the merciless killer and must race against time to stop him before he claims the lives of another innocent family. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Maika Monroe's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: Longlegs
Longlegs Ending Explained: Directed by Osgood Perkins, Longlegs wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core crime themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Maika Monroe. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the crime themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Longlegs reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Longlegs Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Longlegs Based on a True Story?
Longlegs draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. As a crime, horror, mystery film directed by Osgood Perkins, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: Longlegs uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch Longlegs?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Maika Monroe or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Longlegs
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $10.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $128.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Longlegs Budget
The estimated production budget for Longlegs is $10.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Longlegs
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Where to Watch Longlegs Online?
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YouTubeLonglegs Parents Guide & Age Rating
2024 AdvisoryWondering about Longlegs age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Longlegs is 101 minutes (1h 41m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, Longlegs is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2024 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Longlegs worth watching?
Longlegs is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Longlegs parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Longlegs identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Longlegs?
The total duration of Longlegs is 101 minutes, which is approximately 1h 41m long.
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Critic Reviews for Longlegs
Certainly unsettling! 'Longlegs' is solid horror fare. Nicolas Cage's Cobble is extremely creepy, that one scene in the car unnerved me and then some. I will say that the more we see of his character the less creeped out I was, though credit to Cage & Co. for having that effect! Maika Monroe puts in a very good showing as Lee, I have zero issues with her performance - she nails it. Alicia Witt merits praise as well. The pacing could've been better, it felt a little longer than its 101 minute run time, but other than that I'd kinda this a success. I had a fun time watching it all unfold, Monroe and the character of Cobble are the main reasons for that.
There's a fair amount of screen time given to Bill Clinton in this thriller. Luckily, there are no cigars to be seen as his Presidential visage looks down on FBI agent "Carter" (Blair Underwood). He's in charge of an investigation looking into the slaughter of entire families in their homes. There's no evidence of any third party anywhere, with the father invariably found having killed himself after slaughtering just about everyone else. Thing is, fellow agent "Harker" (Maika Monroe) thinks that there's way more to it than that. She's got a sort of sixth sense when it comes to these things and soon she and "Carter" are on the trail of the eponymous character (the sparingly used but effective Nicolas Cage) who may - or may not - be the source of some cryptic messages left near the site of each atrocity. Central to her theories are some eerily looking dolls. There are child size, perfectly made with porcelain and contain mysterious aluminium spheres. What's the purpose of them? It turns out that "Harker" might be able to elicit some answers from her mother "Ruth" (Alicia Witt). She's not quite the full shilling but as the detective recalls an encounter with a stranger many years earlier, we begin to wonder if mum might be more involved... It's quirky this story with elements that make sense and others that dart about making it almost impossible to figure out who's doing what to whom nor, more importantly, why? The rather brutal denouement does let it down. It's rushed and serves to fill in years worth of intrigue with five minutes of dialogue - indeed, I couldn't help but wonder if a sequel was in the offing as the story wrapped all too abruptly. Monroe delivers well here, as does photographer Andres Arochi who helps create an almost claustrophobic atmosphere to add quite a bit of tension to the plot. It's not especially scary, but it takes a different approach to creating horror for the mind rather thanks the eyes - and it works quite well.
I had fun. It's fun. Hail Satan! Any Satan movie is pretty high on my list. Was a super cool Satan kid in high school. All Anton LaVey book reports and stuff. It's a fine Satan movie.
I was really hoping this would make up for the wasted potential of Oddity (2024), and it certainly did. Longlegs (2024) mixes elements of paranormal pseudoscience with the "Devil made me do it" Satanic panic to deliver a satisfying slow burn thriller where the Devil is actually making them do it. Nicholas Cage delivers a damn good performance as the titular Longlegs and it's nice to see Kiernan Shipka in yet another "psycho" role after The Blackcoat's Daughter (2017). MaXXXine (2024) is next on my list. _Please don't disappoint_. ♪ Let me in now and it can be nice! Make me go now and I'll have to come back, not once, not twice, but as many times as I like! **SPOILERS BELOW!** Y'know, if Ruth had just shot this !@#$er, we could've avoided a lot of bloodshed. Also, kids, don't be Agent Browning. It's important to be aware of your surroundings. This scene is probably the worst offender in this movie. Also, also, blink and you'll miss it, but the Devil does a peekaboo off in the distance when Lee turns to investigate the first gunshot.
Nicolas Cage proves again with this movie that he can play any role without problems. He's such a talented actor... He's nailing his role in this movie. Movie itself is strange and interesting. And if you're one of those people who likes strange horror movies, you will like this movie. I personally enjoyed it.
I recently ventured to the cinema and caught a screening of the latest psychological thriller, "Longlegs." The film delves into the twisted world of a serial killer who is believed to be possessed by Satan, using his demonic abilities to target young girls born on the 14th of the month. He gifts these girls a doll, which remains lifeless and silent, serving as a sinister prelude to their impending doom. Nicolas Cage portrays the enigmatic killer, appearing sporadically throughout the movie in an unsettling all-white ensemble with pale face paint and hair. His eerie rendition of "Happy Birthday" and unsettling gestures add to the film's chilling atmosphere, leaving viewers on edge about his potential accomplice. "Longlegs" exudes a retro vibe reminiscent of 1980s cinema, with a jarring visual style that may not resonate with contemporary audiences. The disjointed cinematography and truncated framing add to the film's unsettling nature, creating a sense of unease among viewers. The lead actress delivers a performance that feels uncomfortably raw, as if she herself is grappling with the character's turmoil. Her portrayal adds to the overall discomfort of the film, leaving audiences questioning the extent of her character's possession. While the film does offer resolution on the identity of "Longlegs," it ultimately falls short of recommendation. As a cinephile who appreciates the nuances of filmmaking, I found "Longlegs" lacking in substance and entertainment value. While individual tastes may vary, I prefer films that engage and captivate from start to finish, rather than leaving me feeling disenchanted or disturbed. "Longlegs" simply did not align with my preferences or expectations for a compelling cinematic experience.
Oz Perkins is clever and brilliant. And also, what new cryptic language is that?
A horror film which excels in the cinema. Genuinely scary with a great atmosphere, a great script, and one of Cage's most effective performances. Monroe is excellent, as is Perkins' score. Banger 4/5
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.











