A new horror movie called Longlegs starring both Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe has gone under the radar but its marketing campaign has certainly grabbed people’s attention.
In a refreshing change from other Studios who practically give away the entire plot and movie, Neon has kept things pretty close to its chest. They regularly release small teasers, posters, and X posts that give hardly anything away and yet show enough to capture your imagination.
The movie is written and directed by Oz Perkins, son of Anthony Perkins of Psycho fame, and Oz also played young Norman Bates in Psycho II. Let’s start with the film’s official synopsis:
Long Legs follows FBI Agent Lee Harker (Monroe), a gifted new recruit assigned to the unsolved case of an elusive serial killer (Cage). As the case takes complex turns, unearthing evidence of the occult, Harker discovers a personal connection to the merciless killer and must race against time to stop him before he claims the lives of another innocent family.
Teasers
The first teaser was released three weeks ago and just has eerie music, an old photo with a 911 call played over the top:
The second teaser was dropped two weeks ago and once again features ominous music, with a clip from the movie and a voice call.
And finally, the most recent teaser was 11 days ago and it’s certainly ramping up the WTF vibes.
As you have seen, there is some kind of cipher attached to all three which I’m hoping the audience is meant to work out before the film’s release.
I’m certainly getting Fincher vibes from this, which is obvious with the colour tones, the cipher just like Zodiac, and the cat and mouse chase like Se7en. Dare I say it but with Monroe as a young FBI agent, Silence Of The Lambs could also be a source of inspiration for Oz Perkins.
Oz Perkins. He looks like a lunatic.
Posters
Next up, Neon released four posters that once again don’t give away much but are intriguing, to say the least. This time around, I can’t help but think of comparisons to Thomas Harris’ Red Dragon novel and the before-it-time movie adaptation, Manhunter.
Social Media
Lastly, Neon has been posting a series of Xs to accommodate the posters. All with four simple lines that are either part of the crime report or a diary entry of sorts.
I tell you what Outposters, my interest is piqued. I work in marketing and design and everything I am seeing so far tells me that Neon is extremely confident in what they have on their hands with Longlegs.
It’s the polar opposite of what we get with the likes of Marvel or any other studio who, because of the poor quality of their product, have to oversell it with shiny-shiny pictures and way over-the-top advertising. And every single time, the audience is left wanting.
Longlegs is yet another interesting project taken on by Nicolas Cage who could be on track to be our savior from modern Hollywood and lead us back to movies that are original and thought-provoking. Who’d have thought it?!
Nic Cage in Mandy.
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