The release date for the new Longlegs movie has been set!
Nicolas Cage returns in the title role
Horror fans, take note: A new film set in the "Longlegs" universe is in development – and the release date has been set!
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the as-yet-untitled film is set to be released on January 14, 2028. However, we shouldn't expect a traditional sequel. Rather, it's a standalone story set within the established universe. More specific details are still under wraps. What is certain, at least, is that Nicolas Cage will once again take on the lead role. The film is directed and written by Osgood Perkins, who was also behind the original.
"Longlegs" became a massive box office hit in 2024, grossing $128 million worldwide – on a budget of less than $10 million. The plot centered on an FBI agent with psychic abilities, played by Maika Monroe, who investigated a series of mysterious suicides.
Movie Recommendations for Fans of "Longlegs"
The success of "Longlegs" in 2024 proved that audiences have a deep craving for horror films that go far beyond simple shock value. Director Osgood Perkins created a world that captivated viewers with its creeping unease, occult undertones, and an almost tangible, malevolent aura. Since the continuation of this universe has not been announced until 2028, many fans are wondering which films can convey a similarly oppressive feeling. The following recommendations delve deep into the abysses of psychological and atmospheric horror.
The Master's Signature: Osgood Perkins' Early Works
To truly understand the DNA of "Longlegs", a look at Osgood Perkins' filmography to date is essential. His 2015 directorial debut, "The Blackcoat's Daughter", is considered by connoisseurs to be one of the most atmospheric works of the past decade. Through fluid, serene imagery, the film tells the story of two girls left behind at a remote boarding school during winter break as an invisible, malevolent force manifests itself. The similarities to "Longlegs" are unmistakable, as Perkins once again employs an extremely slow narrative pace that allows the viewer's unease to grow gradually until it becomes almost unbearable.
Another visual masterpiece by the director is "Gretel & Hansel" from 2020. Although based on the well-known fairy tale, Perkins transforms the story into a feverish nightmare full of symmetry and occult symbolism. Anyone who loved the visual austerity and ominous yellow tones in "Longlegs" will be thrilled by the aesthetic design of this film.
Occult Terror and the Destruction of the Family
A central theme in "Longlegs" is the way the supernatural intrudes into private life and family history. In this regard, Ari Aster's "Hereditary" is an absolute must-see. The film deals with a transgenerational trauma that is exploited by a satanic cult. The intensity of the performances and the uncompromising portrayal of evil reflect the hopelessness that Lee Harker also feels during her investigation.
Also recommended is the British independent film "A Dark Song", It focuses almost exclusively on a months-long ritual performed by a grieving mother in a lonely house. The seriousness with which the occult is treated here creates a unique form of realism that is sure to fascinate fans of the mysterious symbols and dolls from the world of "Longlegs".
The Hunt for the Inconceivable: Investigators on the Brink
"Longlegs" is often described as a modern, nightmarish version of "The Silence of the Lambs". Those who appreciate the element of a police investigation that leads to a metaphysical dead end should turn to Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Japanese masterpiece "Cure". In this 1997 thriller, a detective investigates a series of murders in which the perpetrators have no motives and are in a trance-like state. The philosophical depth and the cool, detached cinematography create a psychological tension that is every bit as compelling as Nicolas Cage's portrayal of madness.
David Fincher's "Zodiac" is also worth mentioning, even though it lacks a supernatural focus. The obsession with which the protagonists decipher cryptic codes and the oppressive certainty that evil can strike from the shadows at any moment capture the paranoid atmosphere of the 1970s and 1990s that Perkins so masterfully evokes in his work.
Conclusion
"Longlegs" is more than just a movie; it's a sense of hopeless darkness. Those who want to delve deeper into this experience will find plenty of material to give them the creeps in the films mentioned above.
