The 2024 horror-thriller Longlegs, directed by Oz Perkins, has generated significant buzz for its chilling atmosphere and disturbing narrative. The film blends horror, psychological trauma, and occult themes, leading many to wonder: is Longlegs a satanic movie, or simply a suspenseful exploration of evil?
In this article, we’ll dissect the film’s storyline, characters, and symbolic motifs to answer this pressing question. With elements rooted in crime investigation, occultism, and demonic mythology, Longlegs isn’t just another horror film. It reflects deeper cultural fascinations with evil and faith, while pushing the boundaries of the crime thriller genre.
The Premise: What Is Longlegs About?
Longlegs tells the story of FBI Agent Lee Harker (played by Maika Monroe), a gifted profiler assigned to investigate a series of unsolved family murders. As she delves deeper into the case, she discovers a link to a mysterious man referred to only as “Longlegs” (portrayed by Nicolas Cage). His presence is ominous, and his influence appears to stretch beyond the natural world.
The deeper Harker investigates, the more she uncovers signs of ritualistic behavior, cryptic symbols, and references to satanic practices. The killer isn’t just a man—he’s possibly a conduit for something darker. The film’s tone is oppressive, and the visuals often evoke religious horror. These elements have led viewers and critics alike to question whether the film falls into the category of satanic horror.
Satanic Symbolism and Imagery
There’s no denying that Longlegs makes use of satanic imagery. From inverted crosses to cryptic chanting and references to demonic possession, the film doesn’t shy away from tapping into the iconography of Satanism. Such visuals are integral to the film’s atmosphere and are used not just for shock value, but to explore deeper psychological and spiritual fears.
The use of symbols and rites in the movie also reflects real-world satanic panic themes, especially from the 1980s and 90s. These elements tie into American cultural history and evoke a collective fear that’s both irrational and deeply felt. Still, it’s worth asking: is the film promoting satanism, or merely using its aesthetics to provoke thought and fear?
Thematic Exploration: Evil As a Force
Rather than glorifying Satanism, Longlegs seems more interested in examining the nature of evil. Is it born in people, or is it an external force that invades and corrupts? Longlegs, the character, feels less like a traditional villain and more like a spiritual entity—a whisper in the minds of his victims.
Director Oz Perkins is known for using horror to explore psychological trauma, and here he’s at his most effective. The satanic themes serve to externalize internal human fears. The result is not a movie that celebrates the occult, but one that questions the fragility of sanity and faith.
The Role of the FBI and Investigation Narrative
One of the most compelling aspects of Longlegs is its procedural backbone. The story follows classic crime movie plots involving FBI profiling, cold case investigations, and behavioral analysis. The film often feels like a spiritual successor to classics like The Silence of the Lambs—but with a supernatural twist.
Agent Harker isn’t just chasing a killer; she’s battling unseen forces and unearthing secrets that threaten her own identity. The procedural structure keeps the film grounded, even as it dives into deeply unsettling territory. This blend of logic and horror intensifies the narrative.
Is Longlegs a Crime Thriller or a Supernatural Horror?
Longlegs straddles multiple genres. On one hand, it’s a clear crime thriller, rooted in an investigation. On the other, it features overtly supernatural elements. There are scenes that defy explanation—visions, telepathy, and inexplicable connections between victims.
This ambiguity works in the film’s favor. It challenges viewers to think critically about what they’re witnessing. Is it all real, or a manifestation of the mind? Is evil a metaphysical entity, or something more human and insidious? These unanswered questions contribute to the film’s enduring appeal and psychological intensity.
Character Studies: Who Is Longlegs?
Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of Longlegs is both terrifying and magnetic. He embodies a force of chaos, often seen in shadows or in brief, jarring moments. He’s not just a killer—he’s a manipulator, someone who warps reality for those around him.
What makes his character so haunting is how little we know about him. His motivations are murky, his methods unclear. He operates like a demon from mythology, capable of spreading despair with mere presence. This raises the question: is Longlegs a man, or something far worse? A personification of Satan himself, perhaps?
Is Longlegs Truly Satanic, or Just Atmospheric?
It’s easy to call Longlegs a satanic movie based on its aesthetic alone. But a deeper analysis shows the film isn’t about Satanism as a belief system. Instead, it uses satanic symbols to evoke fear, just as many classic horror films have done.
The movie plays more with suggestion than doctrine. It doesn’t offer rituals with theological accuracy, nor does it attempt to explain Satanism. The satanic element is more metaphorical, reflecting chaos, hopelessness, and loss of faith. These are the real terrors the film explores.
Audience Reception and Critical Reviews
Reception of Longlegs has been largely positive, with many praising its atmosphere, suspense, and performances. Viewers have noted the film’s eerie pace and haunting visuals as standout elements. Critics have compared it favorably to other psychological horror films, applauding its refusal to offer easy answers.
On the flip side, some viewers find the film too disturbing or ambiguous. The lack of concrete resolution can be frustrating. However, this ambiguity is intentional—it forces audiences to confront uncomfortable questions. For more thoughts on the film, explore these crime movie reviews.
The Film in Context: A Trend in Modern Horror
Longlegs is part of a growing wave of horror films that prioritize mood, symbolism, and subtext. Alongside titles like Hereditary and The Witch, it reflects a shift away from jump scares and gore toward deeper thematic horror.
This trend is reshaping the movie genre by exploring trauma, religious doubt, and the nature of evil. In this sense, Longlegs is less about Satan and more about the existential dread he represents in popular consciousness.
Conclusion
So, is Longlegs a satanic movie? The answer is both yes and no. While it uses satanic imagery and explores demonic themes, it does so not to glorify, but to interrogate. The film challenges viewers to question their own understanding of evil, reality, and belief.
Longlegs is a layered psychological thriller with horror elements, more concerned with mood and meaning than shock or spectacle. Its greatest strength is in its ambiguity—it doesn’t spell everything out, but instead lets the darkness speak for itself.
Whether you see it as a study of Satanic influence or a metaphor for mental collapse, one thing is certain: Longlegs is a haunting new entry in the film industry that demands to be discussed long after the credits roll.
