Longlegs just needed one more scene to let the horror land

As a horror film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the genre’s ability to keep audiences guessing and leave them on the edge of their seats, I found “Longlegs” to be a disappointingly lackluster experience. Having grown up immersed in the classics of horror cinema, from Hitchcock to Carpenter, I’ve come to expect a certain level of intrigue and mystery that keeps me engaged long after the credits roll.

During an interaction with TopMob prior to the premiere of “Longlegs,” its writer-director Oz Perkins shared insights about creating the film’s climax: “If I could impart any information, it would be something like this: ‘You simply need to keep showing up and working at it, poking at it from various angles, turning it around, and trying to figure out…’ It’s much like solving a crossword puzzle. ‘I believe 9 across is that.’ Then you tackle 8 down. You piece it together, shape it, and remain engaged with it.”

Instead of expressing it as “That’s how he wrote the movie, but it also applies to us as viewers trying to understand our feelings towards it,” a paraphrased version could be “The way he crafted the film is similar to our experience as audiences, debating our reactions. However, ‘Longlegs’ finale may spark disagreements, yet lacks the depth that intriguing endings provide for further exploration and discussion.”

[Ed. note: End spoilers ahead for Longlegs.]

What happens at the end of Longlegs?

In the film, the freshly graduated FBI agent and suspected clairvoyant, Lee Harker, portrayed by Maika Monroe in a modern horror classic, is given the bureau’s most baffling case: a string of mass killings where fathers slaughter their loved ones before taking their own lives. As Lee delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers the enigmatic figure Longlegs, played by an unrecognizable Nicolas Cage under heavy prosthetics, who has been leaving cryptic messages at the crime scenes. It is revealed that Longlegs creates dolls imbued with a dark Satanic power, which ultimately manipulate entire families into committing these heinous acts.

When comparing her psychic insights to her recollections of her past, Lee identifies the culprit. She then alerts the FBI to apprehend him. However, before they could bring him in, he takes his own life by violently hitting his head against a rigid object – mirroring the method used by the possessed killer in David Lynch’s acclaimed series “Twin Peaks,” which is acknowledged as an influence on Perkins’ work.

After discovering that her mother, Ruth (actress Alicia Witt from “Twin Peaks”), had been working with Longlegs as an accomplice, delivering the dolls to his victims, Lee is shocked. To protect Lee from Satan’s grasp, Ruth made this deal. With a shotgun blast, Ruth destroys Lee’s doll. The darkness within the doll’s head and Lee’s dissipates, indicating that Longlegs’ control over her has been broken. This could potentially mean that other victims may be freed by destroying their own dolls as well.

I was left reeling after fainting, only to discover upon waking that the newest doll was en route to Agent Carter’s (Blair Underwood) residence, along with his young daughter Ruby, whom I had previously met in the movie. In a panic, I raced to their home, but found them all under the doll’s sinister influence. Ruth, the doll’s mastermind, was there to oversee the gruesome murders that typically followed her covenant with Longlegs.

After that, the film concludes during a supposedly intense and significant scene, a vague ending that leaves viewers pondering the uncertain events to come.

What’s wrong with Longlegs’ ending?

Although Longlegs and Ruth are no longer a threat, as they have both passed away, and Satan may continue to be present, there’s a sense that the immediate danger has been neutralized. The doll appears powerless, with Lee’s gun failing to discharge even if it’s intended to indicate the doll still holds sway over the world. However, this notion fails to elicit fear or intrigue due to Lee and Ruby’s emotionless demeanor and lack of reaction.

After the conclusion, intriguing and somewhat eerie queries remain. Has Lee, with her doll shattered and the ominous presence of evil vanished, retained her psychic abilities? Could there be a continuation where she pursues Satan-worshipping killers and prevents the devil’s influence from expanding? Such a storyline seems perfect for an extended horror-thriller sequence. Considering Ruth made the ultimate sacrifice to shield Lee, with Ruth deceased and the agreement dissolved, might the devil ultimately claim Lee?

As someone who has had my fair share of experiences with sentimental possessions and emotional distress, I can relate to Ruth’s dilemma. The question at hand is whether destroying her doll was the solution to her problem all along, or if it was a desperate attempt in the present.

What Longlegs’ ending needed

The mysteries surrounding the impact of dolls on the children they’re given to, as well as Ruby’s connection to her own doll, remain shrouded in uncertainty. With Perkins’ influence from classic thrillers evident in “Longlegs,” it’s easy to interpret the ending as a reference to “The Ring,” and consider a potential future where Lee must continue the curse by making new dolls or quickly mastering porcelain molding to protect Ruby.

As a gamer, I can tell you that when it comes to Lee’s protective feelings towards Ruby or how she would react to an ethical dilemma in a game, I just don’t have enough information yet. It’s like playing a complex RPG with intricate character development, and I haven’t unlocked that particular side quest or backstory for Lee.

Instead of “By contrast,” you could use “In stark contrast” or “On the other hand.” As for paraphrasing the rest, here’s an attempt:

As a gamer, I’d say: “Hang on a second, we’ve reached the end but something feels off. It wasn’t necessary for Lee to give a lengthy explanation of her current self or future goals through a monologue or voiceover. The uncertainty and open-endedness are perfect fits for this dark thriller. After all, this story is deeply rooted in the enigma of the demonic force that’s been shaping the characters. So it’s only natural to leave with unanswered questions about their past, as Perkins intentionally leaves certain parts untold.”

After that pivotal moment in the story, there are numerous frightening possibilities that the film fails to explore. It doesn’t provide any hints about the current state of Ruby’s possession or Lee’s powers, leaving us uncertain if a malevolent force is still influencing them. Additionally, we’re left questioning Longlegs’ claim that Satan will grant him more power upon death and he’ll become omnipresent. The movie’s ambiguous ending leaves us guessing whether Longlegs is speaking or if the “Hail Satan!” echo is just an auditory effect for irony, devoid of emotional resonance.

The ending of “Perkins’ Story” (referred to as “Longlegs”) left me puzzled as I didn’t find any particular plan for how things should have unfolded. It wasn’t essential for Ruby to attempt stabbing Lee or for Lee to continue the massacre where Agent Carter left off. My intention was to preserve the ominous atmosphere Perkins had been building up, without revealing the new situation or the characters’ emotions regarding the events. Leaving it open-ended can be detrimental as it provides no guidance for the audience’s imagination to build upon. Instead, a well-defined framework would have allowed the viewers to engage with their theories and expectations. Unfortunately, “Longlegs” failed to provide even that basic structure, leaving us with a perplexed sense of confusion.

Perkins might be intentionally leaving plot threads open-ended to generate interest for a potential sequel. Fans crave sequels when they’re deeply engaged and anxious about a story’s conclusion, left with questions and eagerness to know more. However, without any resolution or closure regarding Lee, Ruby, the doll, Satan, or other elements of the film, it’s challenging for viewers to form that emotional attachment necessary for a compelling narrative. Perhaps this movie didn’t have enough substance to sustain further exploration.

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2024-07-19 20:49