An upcoming Nicolas Cage-starring horror film, Longlegs, was recently given a surprise screening that received rave reactions from critics and attendees.
Yesterday (May 31), as part of the Los Angeles film festival Beyond Fest, audiences were in attendance at the Aero Theatre for a secret screening advertised to start at 7:30pm. In the theatre hall, the logo of upcoming musical film Wicked appeared on the screen, which led them to believe that that was the film set to screen.
However, it turned out to be a prank by the festival, who revealed that the film coming up was actually Longlegs, to which walked out its writer and director Oz Perkins, who appeared in a Mr Bungle t-shirt. He gave an introduction to the film before welcoming its star Nicolas Cage.
Cage said about the film: “People would ask me, ‘How could you not put your face on the [Longlegs] poster or trailer?’ Well I said Longlegs – the being… the monster – is a highly devious subject.” Longlegs is set for wide release in the US on July 12.
The Dream Scenario actor added that his character, a serial killer, sees him “channelling” his real-life mother. “Sorry mom,” he says, to laughter from the audience.
So Christian Parkes tried to fake out the audience by saying the secret screening would be – Wicked – but the real screening @am_cinematheque @BeyondFest is – Longlegs – and it’s introduced by writer-director Oz Perkins!
Then Nicholas Cage walked out too! pic.twitter.com/SLEKLYDPMI
— Jeff Goldsmith (@yogoldsmith) June 1, 2024
LONGLEGS was the secret @BeyondFest screening! And what would a @BeyondFest screening be without a surprise appearance from the Cage himself! pic.twitter.com/3LRRaBJ1zq
— Mark Rozeman (@Mrozema) June 1, 2024
Social media reactions from critics in attendance have been effusive, calling it “the most disturbing film of the year” and “100 hundred minutes of unrelenting, intense, and overwhelming dread.”
Osgood Perkins’ #Longlegs is a profoundly unsettling, deeply creepy film that will crawl and linger in your mind for days. Incredible performances from Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage and Alicia Witt. And the best, most disturbing horror film of the year. More soon! @neonrated -Mike M pic.twitter.com/fwv1J0c7bs
— The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) June 1, 2024
It’s as if #Longlegs was forged in Hell by Satan, who brought it as an artifact into our world as a gift. Osgood Perkins’ film is the real fucking shit. Mischievous, steadied tension build, SCARY & SICK AF. Maika Monroe is terrific. Nicolas Cage is in pure weirdo mode. pic.twitter.com/ilz5S7aSuA
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) June 1, 2024
I spent last night in an intense panic while watching Osgood Perkins' #LONGLEGS.
100 hundred minutes of unrelenting, intense, and overwhelming dread. Powered by an intensely angular performance from Maika Monroe and Nic Cage let fully off the leash.
Every frame a nightmare. pic.twitter.com/lEIHgLcsio
— J Hurtado (@HatefulJosh) May 31, 2024
One attendee noted that the film “was so insane” that a woman behind them started crying midway into the screening.
no lie. longlegs was so insane that a woman behind us started crying halfway thru lmao 10/10 movie pic.twitter.com/nsVLClJ2qc
— Tyler Tompkins (@t0mpk1nz) June 1, 2024
A writer who saw Longlegs at an earlier screening praised Nicolas Cage’s performance as “nightmarish” and claims the film features “the scariest first 10 mins, ever”.
I was so lucky to see #Longlegs, and no exaggeration: it could be the best horror film of ‘24. Oz Perkins can really get under my skin; this is his masterpiece. Monroe gives a fabulously unique lead performance, and Cage? NIGHTMARISH. Maybe the scariest 1st 10 mins, ever. pic.twitter.com/ImMEDDxGXi
— Bill Bria (@billbria) May 9, 2024
Longlegs follows an FBI agent played by Maika Monroe (It Follows, Greta) who is tasked with tracking down a serial killer. Her investigation heads down a path that leads to the occult, and she must work against the clock to stop the killer from targeting his next victims.
The forthcoming release of this film will precede another Cage horror film: The Carpenter’s Son, which will see Cage star alongside FKA Twigs in a tale centred around the childhood of Jesus Christ.
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