Longlegs Is A Horror Classic Thanks To One Brilliant Choice And It’s Not Nicolas Cage
Now that Longlegs has finally arrived in theaters, fans have begun flocking to the Nicolas Cage-led creep show from all over the world. The film itself is excellent because it offers a clear mastery of atmosphere and storytelling from writer-director Osgood Perkins, and packs in some truly terrifying performances as well. Still, one thing that sets Longlegs apart from your average horror mystery is the impeccable camera work and shot composition presented throughout the film, which perfectly manages to stretch the creepy tone throughout the entire runtime.
You Barely See Nicolas Cage’s Face
Back when the initial teaser trailers for Longlegs were released, I made note of the fact that they were hiding Nicolas Cage’s eponymous character from the marketing material. I, like many others, was drawn in by the idea that Cage would be putting on the creepy performance of a lifetime, and made it a point to hit the theater as soon as the movie premiered. Once the film began, however, I quickly learned that this tactic was being employed in more than just Longlegs‘ marketing, as Nicolas Cage’s face is barely shown in the film.
Always Lurking In The Distance
In this way, Longlegs utilizes Cage like the shark from Jaws, allowing him to have a stranglehold over the entire narrative while only popping out in all his terrifying glory a few times. When he does finally show up, the cinematography makes it a special point not to hang flatly over his face, which is loaded with prosthetics that make him nearly unrecognizable. Instead, we see him through choppy television screens, distant wide shots, and off-center framing which helps to communicate a general sense of unease whenever he enters the frame.
Implied Terror Is Worse Than The Real Thing
In one of the most memorable moments of the entire film, Cage’s Longlegs appears front-and-center, though the camera lingers exclusively on his torso. I won’t spoil any of the plot, since the film is still in theaters, but suffice is to say, this is one of the most jarring and unnatural presentations I’ve ever seen on the big screen. In your average film, a static shot of a performer’s midsection wouldn’t strike fear into the hearts of audiences, but here, it conveys a notion that looking into Longlegs’ face would simply be too much for us to handle.
The Real Menace Is Always Just Out Of Frame
Obviously, the writing, practical makeup effects, and performances are very strong in Longlegs, though none of this would matter if the film were presented with your standard shot-reverse-shot format, plainly allowing us to process Cage’s character as a normal man. Instead, he appears as an otherworldly entity, making the audience feel powerless and small, enraptured in his off-screen gaze.
Personally, I feel that these visual composition choices are the key element that elevates Longlegs from a standard horror to an instant genre classic.
See Longlegs In Theaters, And Then See It Again
Those interested in catching Longlegs should make it a point to do so on the big screen, as the chilling atmosphere created by Oz Perkins and company is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Those who have already seen the movie know that the shot composition is a cut above the rest, allowing you to focus on a wide array of new details on re-watches.
With any luck, this funky camera blocking will catch on, and help to assist other directors in building a chilling atmosphere in their own projects.
