The Big Picture:
In a surprising move, director Osgood Perkins peppered over 15 hidden appearances of the Devil throughout Longlegs, a horror-thriller with a supernatural edge. Neon’s super-cut video highlights these subtle cameos, giving audiences a reason to rewatch the film with sharper eyes. Longlegs has garnered critical acclaim for its masterful atmosphere and chilling performances, positioning it as a standout success for Neon both critically and commercially.
The rise of Easter egg culture in mainstream cinema is well-documented, but it's now making its way into more niche genres, including art-house horror. Neon's latest super-cut teases viewers to reexamine Longlegs for the hidden devilish details lurking in the background of its eeriest scenes. This isn’t just a thematic nod to evil; we’re talking about a literal horned demon subtly placed by Perkins in moments where audiences are drawn into the quiet suspense of the scene.
For those familiar with the art of subtext in horror, Longlegs feels like a careful homage to filmmakers like Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs) and Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Cure). Much like these auteurs, Perkins utilizes the power of implication and what lies just beyond our focus. In Longlegs, the devil’s presence isn’t just metaphorical—there are literal images of a horned figure lurking behind characters, almost mocking the viewer’s concentration.
An Unexpected Supernatural Turn
At first glance, Longlegs presents itself as a psychological thriller: a rookie FBI agent, portrayed by the talented Maika Monroe, is on the hunt for a serial killer who’s escaped justice for years. The twist? It’s not just a battle of wits between detective and murderer; as the film progresses, the plot takes on a supernatural dimension. The protagonist’s psychic powers reveal that the killer may not be working alone but rather under the influence of a darker force—the Devil himself.
What’s fascinating is how Perkins weaves this transformation into the narrative with such subtlety. Early on, the film is grounded in a gritty realism, but these Easter eggs start to suggest that something more sinister has always been lurking. It’s a testament to Perkins' control over the story’s tone that the transition to supernatural horror feels not only natural but essential.
The Devil in the Details
In Neon’s super-cut, fans are challenged to “look closer.” There’s something oddly exhilarating about discovering these hidden apparitions. Perkins' devilish cameos range from overt—such as the devil looming over a young Lee Harker (Monroe’s character)—to those that slip by unnoticed unless you’re watching with a keen eye. One such blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment shows a horned shadow lurking in the background just as Monroe’s character exits the frame. These kinds of visual tricks not only add layers to the narrative but also invite a second (or even third) viewing, making Longlegs an interactive experience.
For fans of horror, this is the type of detail-oriented filmmaking that elevates the genre beyond mere jump scares. Perkins taps into our innate fear of the unknown, of things we can’t quite see but can sense are there. It’s a sophisticated method of horror, and it’s rare in an industry that often relies on over-explanation.
Longlegs' Haunting Success
Since its release, Longlegs has generated strong word-of-mouth, with critics lauding Perkins’ atmospheric direction and Cage’s bone-chilling performance as the titular serial killer. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes score currently stands at a fresh 86%, with many praising it as a “disturbing” and “jarring” experience from start to finish.
What’s particularly interesting about Longlegs is how it’s transcending its niche origins. The film’s blend of psychological and supernatural horror, along with these devilish Easter eggs, has catapulted it to a $50 million global box office success, positioning it to become Neon's highest-grossing release, surpassing even Parasite in domestic sales. That’s no small feat for a film that operates with such quiet menace, rather than the bombastic scares often expected from horror blockbusters.
For those who haven’t seen it yet, Longlegs is still haunting theaters. And for those who have, well, now you have a reason to watch it again—this time, with a sharper eye for the Devil in the details.