Movie Review: Longlegs, a spooky horror thriller reminiscent of The X-Files

Our pre-Halloween weekend movie was "Longlegs," a spooky, horror thriller reminiscent of a great episode of "The X-Files."

Starring Maika Monroe, Blair Underwood, Alicia Witt, and Nicolas Cage, this Oz Perkins-directed flick is a captivating period piece—set partly in the 1970s but primarily in the '90s. Cereal Creatures readers know our love for period pieces and "The X-Files," so this movie was a delightful surprise. Another unexpected moment occurred when a star of one of our other beloved shows, "Mad Men", appeared. Kiernan Shipka made a brief appearance as the only known survivor of Longlegs.

The plot follows an FBI agent Lee Harker trying to solve a series of family murders by a serial killer known as Longlegs. As she investigates, she discovers her uncanny intuition about the clues has a much darker connection—she encountered Longlegs as a child in 1974.

While more of a thriller than sci-fi or pure horror, the movie doesn't skimp on gore. The dreary atmosphere, reminiscent of Mulder and Scully's early adventures, permeates throughout. And right that it should since both were filmed in Vancouver.

As a writer, I usually anticipate plot twists, but this one caught me off guard. The setup was so well-crafted that it didn't telegraph the turning point. After the reveal, I recognized the plot devices I'd noticed and dismissed, thinking the twist wasn't coming. It's a treat when a movie can still surprise me!

The ending takes an unexpected supernatural turn to explain the resolution. However, the occult themes and brainwashing elements could account for the lead character's memory lapse regarding her first Longlegs encounter.

I found myself thinking, "Just call Mulder and Scully!"—high praise for the movie's ability to pull me into the plot and keep me on the edge of my seat.

This R-rated picture runs for 1 hour and 41 minutes and is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. In an era where I'm often disappointed by movies, this one stands out. Don't miss it—it's a $6 rental that I think you'll enjoy.