Is it too early to call “Longlegs” the most beloved horror film of 2024? Probably not. The upcoming movie, led by Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe, has everything to become the next genre-defining title of the decade.
Critics who have attended early screenings have praised the production highly, lauding Oz Perkins’ direction and the performances of Monroe and Cage, even comparing them to Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster in “Silence of the Lambs.”
Additionally, its distribution company, Neon, is launching a stunning marketing campaign to promote the film, featuring crime scene replicas that look incredibly realistic, making us question whether any of it is real.
Is ‘Longlegs’ based on real events?
As if the teasers didn’t look non-fictional enough, Neon also crafted a website detailing every single aspect of the movie, especially the characteristics of the murderer portrayed by Nicolas Cage and the profiles of his victims.
They consist of members from five families: the Applewhites, the Clovers, the Pendergasts, the Wormwoods, and the Hesses, all of whom seem to share a connection with the name of the website, “The Birthday Murders.”
None of these cases appear to exist in real life, but trust us, if you crave horror movies based on real events, the fiction of “Longlegs” will suffice. The website made to promote the flick features detailed depictions and photos of each case, mimicking crime scenes and making everything feel factual.
Furthermore, it’s clear that the film draws inspiration from numerous crimes committed by cults, such as those perpetuated by The Manson Family and others too unsettling to name.