This summer, Osgood Perkins‘ chilling horror-thriller Longlegs slithers into theaters, promising a nightmarish descent into a serial killer’s twisted world. Neon’s latest offering has garnered attention for its disturbingly effective marketing campaign, and the suspense continues to build.
The new teaser, “Dirty: Part Two,” throws viewers headfirst into a disorienting collage of unsettling imagery and thick atmosphere. Haunting whispers overlay the frenetic footage. Maika Monroe‘s character must decipher a cryptic message: “Listen loud the serpents, see the darkness slithering, tell me what good is that body, if not for hiding shiny red parts.”
The narrative centers on FBI rookie Agent Lee Harker (played by Monroe). Harker races against time to save another potential victim from a killer only as “the man downstairs.” As she delves deeper into the case, Harker discovers a horrifying truth—she has a shocking connection to the killer’s twisted game.
While maintaining a veil of mystery, the teaser offers more breadcrumbs for viewers to follow. We see Cage’s character seemingly holding a young girl captive. Horror fans are also treated to another chilling snippet of Cage’s voice. His eerie delivery culminating in the line: “There she is.” The accompanying poster for the new teaser depicts a shadowy figure seated at a table, facing another unseen individual. Is this Monroe confronting Cage or the missing girl herself? The answer remains unclear.
Longlegs has redefined the horror marketing game. Perkins relies on emotionally unsettling visuals and a soul-crushing soundscape to draw viewers in. It leaves viewers feeling like active participants in the investigation alongside Monroe’s character.
While Longlegs boasts a powerhouse cast including Monroe (known for her roles in It Follows and “Watcher”) and Cage (fresh off his performance in Arcadian), the marketing campaign steers clear of relying solely on star power. The focus here is on immersing the audience in the characters’ harrowing experiences and the nightmarish world they inhabit.
Longlegs slithers into theaters on July 12th, 2024, and promises to be a hauntingly unforgettable experience.
