Spoiler Alert: This article contains major SPOILERS for the Longlegs film.
Horror enthusiasts may be familiar with the plot of Longlegs, but the film’s confusing ending still took viewers by surprise. Over the weekend, the much-lauded horror film debuted in theaters. Maika Monroe portrayed Lee Harker, an FBI agent tasked with looking into the case of an enigmatic serial killer who goes by the name Longlegs. The film’s director, Osgood Perkins, discussed the abrupt climax of Longlegs and the potential for a different resolution.
Oz Perkins Comments On Longlegs Ambiguous Ending
Nicolas Cage in Longlegs. Image Credit: Neon
In a series of dramatic twists, the final act of Longlegs reveals that Lee discovers her mother has been secretly aiding Longlegs by delivering satanic dolls to families, which then lead them to commit horrific acts.
Longlegs, portrayed by Nicolas Cage in another unforgettable role, had already ended his own life. Lee, in a shocking turn, then kills her mother before attempting to destroy a doll that had been taken in by her boss and his family.
However, in that critical moment, Lee discovers her gun is empty, leading to much speculation about the conclusion of Longlegs‘ final sequence.
While Perkins provided some insights into the film’s ending, much of it remained ambiguous. He explained to Variety that the conclusion was meant to be tragic. “The devil wins again on a small scale. The story of Lee Harker ends with the ending of the movie. The last shot that she fires is the worst thing that can happen to her.”
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Perkins’ remarks suggest that he intended the ending to be sorrowful, reflecting Harker’s lifelong guilt over her mother’s involvement in the murders. Yet, it leaves the audience wondering if there is more to the ending than what is immediately apparent.
Inspiration Behind Longlegs Drawn from a David Fincher Cult Classic
Maika Monroe in Longlegs. Image Credit: Neon
Oz Perkins shared that the character portrayed by Cage drew inspiration from John Doe in Se7en. He mentioned that the creative team was fully aware of their references, aiming to produce a pop art piece. The intention was to emulate and incorporate elements from notable serial killer movies whenever possible. Kevin Spacey’s portrayal in Se7en was particularly influential, as he appears in just a few scenes yet maintains a constant presence.
Similarly, Cage’s character exudes an omnipresent aura, building up to a somewhat anticlimactic reveal. The audience likely noticed these similarities, but Perkins hinted that The Silence of the Lambs also played a role in shaping the film. The connection between Longlegs and Harker is seen as potentially even more sinister than the dynamic between Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling.
The ambiguous conclusion of Longlegs left room for a potential sequel, though Perkins emphasized that the film’s final scene was conclusive. Unlike Perkins’ previous works, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House and Gretel & Hansel, Longlegs does not feature a post-credits scene. Despite being only a week into its theatrical run, the film has already been lauded by audiences, critics, and a renowned director as one of the standout horror films of 2024.
Longlegs running in theaters currently.
