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Longlegs Reaction/Commentary
🕑 Added 2024-08-27 18:16:34 +0000 UTCFinally got to watch Longlegs and I absolutely loved it! I’m not sure what you would call this video, it’s kind of a reaction and a commentary rolled into one. Let’s say 40% reaction, 40% commentary, 20% analysis, 110% ramble. It was about two and a half hours long but I’ve chopped it down to around two hours.
If you just want to skip to me going through the film and reacting to scenes you can head to around 19 minutes and miss the beginning ramble. The editing is a bit shit for the first 20 minutes prior to us actually going through the film, but it picks up from there. I’m trying to get to a reliable format for Patreon content and I think this is the closest I’ve got so far. I’m probably more happy with this than anything else I’ve made for Patreon so let me know what you think because this video wasn’t too much work. About a day total from watching film to finishing editing and a quick custom thumbnail on top. It’s not perfect yet, but I think it’s improving.
That being said this is just going off my first viewing and so obviously there is stuff I’ll miss and potentially get wrong. One crucial thing that I wanted to include here (and I have put it up on screen during the video too), is this alternate verse from the nursery rhyme ‘Goosey Goosey Gander’:
Old father Long-Legs
Can't say his prayers:
take him by the left leg,
And throw him downstairs.
I think that’s pretty undeniable as an influence, not just the use of the name longlegs, but also the term ‘father’, which will come up in the video. I struggle to decide if ‘father’ refers to Satan or Longlegs, and it seems to be more Satan, but this poem says directly ‘Father Longlegs’ so take from that what you will. Not only that but ‘can’t say his prayers’ aligns with Ruth reminding Lee to say her prayers for protection. And lastly the reference to ‘Downstairs’ and we have that as a reference to Hell in the film, and we hear Satan referred to as ‘Mr Downstairs’ or ‘The Man Downstairs’.
FAIR WARNINGS: You will hear the C word two times. There will be jumpscares that may come even more unnaturally because I’m flicking through the film. Apologies in advance.
Comments
John C.
You’ve elevated my opinion of the movie some, I felt Nicholas Cage was under utilized. But some of the strength of the abuser angle I was aware of, but I feel like I didn’t give it much consideration. There is definitely more meat on the bone with this movie. Appreciate the commentary/ramble. Thank you!
Kelly S. Moyes
Do you think maybe that Blair's character, since he was clearly part of the devil's/Longlegs' plan, was increasingly compromised by the devil/Longlegs as the film went on? Like, yes, at the beginning, he brought in Lee because of her (possibly) psychic powers, but then he himself begins to forget that the closer he gets to his role as the final patriarch to take out his own family? Or as to why he doesn't make the obvious connection of the murders to his own daughter's birthday? He himself has been blinded by Longlegs? Just a thought as to why his character doesn't seem consistent.
Jason Nieuwoudt
Longlegs is the my favourite film for 2024. It’s also the closest any horror has come to Hereditary so far. Another absolute gem is Liam Gavin’s A Dark Song which I’ve viewed 5 times already! It’s rich in lore and content with amazing performances and an ending that will blow your mind!
Greatest Hits
The Baphomet figures are everywhere in this movie. I missed a bunch the first time.
Erin Russell
Great catch! I didn't notice those! The same silhouette is present when agent carter closes the door after lee comes in for the birthday party!!!
Morgan Wahlin
Commented before I finished 😂
Morgan Wahlin
Also I think Carrie Anne’s sparing was pure coincidence. Possibly saying that the devil cannot control everything, hence Lee ending up stopping them from killing her superior’s daughter. Just a theory, but I truly don’t think she wasn’t meant to die.
Morgan Wahlin
I can’t find if anyone mentioned it, but the shot of her at her desk at home as well as the library there are silhouettes of a figure with horns in the background. A bit on the nose if you ask me but still scared the heck out of me on my second watch.
Jason Nieuwoudt
Hi Novum, big fan, new patron. Please tell me you have seen A Dark Song by director Liam Gavin. It’s up there just below Hereditary, The VVitch, MidSommer and now LongLegs! It’s a phenomenal piece of filmmaking that was lauded on The Evolution of Horror podcast but what it really needs is a Novum analysis to do it justice! It’s a 10/10 , especially if you loved Hereditary!
Liam Frasier
This is seriously some of the most engaging content I’ve had the pleasure of watching. I’m am immensely excited for The VVitch and I really really hope you do a complete guide on Longlegs in the future. Would love to see you tear this apart frame by frame because like you’d said there’s still so much that can be talked about.
Caroline
Not sure if it’s entirely relevant but I enjoyed the bit about the cuckoo imagery. Reminds me of the Cuckoo bird that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, then when the cuckoo babies hatch they kill the nest birds real babies so it can take all the food. Idk kind of gave me similar vibes with Longlegs bringing the doll versions of the children into their homes.
jogrnaut
or possibly T.Rex "The Slider" album cover
TheRealAntiher0
Btw if you haven’t seen talk to me, SEE TALK TO ME. Ari Aster came up to the at Cannes to tell them it was great.
TheRealAntiher0
I had a couple more thoughts regarding influences. I think the face slamming might be more a nod at ‘talk to me’. Either could be right but it’s more in line with the brutality. Also, the mother stood at the cemetery(?) with the blood n her face MIGHT be a nod to saint maud?
Nate Dickson
That matches up much better, nice find
Jesse
It’s not Ozzy, it’s Marc of the band T. Rex. 70s glam rock as in the glam rock vibes you talked about and the music of T. Rex is featured prominently in the film
fenris
The Robert Smith-esque poster in Longlegs' bedroom is Marc Bolan from T Rex as well.
Fourth Horseman
Those were my favorite lines in the entire movie. They remind me of: “Welcome…to the worst nightmare of all…REALITY” - Pinhead, Hellraiser VI: Hellseeker.
Fourth Horseman
If this only took you a day or so, even if it's not a complete guide, by all means, more of these. It was a great upload, I enjoyed all of it. You manage to keep things entertaining. Embrace your gift.
HAUNTER
I think the mother is the “false prophet” but I can see an argument for either depending on your read of the ending.
Caroline
So glad I decided to join patreon for your content, 10000% worth it
TheRealAntiher0
I’m ok, just watching on phone. If you’re posting as unlisted YouTube it sounds like I can load the link I just can’t seem to extract that address anywhere
Novum
Just seen this about the bade Linen, absolutely love that detail. I think you're right, just a cool little visual identifier/bit of character building, but I like that it's there.
Novum
There's so many songs I recognise but didn't put together in my head as being T-Rex. Children of the Revolution being a prime example!
Novum
Hi Lena, don't worry about the long read. You guys listen to me talk for hours, I think it's only fair! 1. Absolutely, couldn't agree more. I didn't mention The Silence of the Lambs I think mainly because that was the other option people voted for so I think I was just kind of deliberately ignoring it. And waffling, I was waffling. But yeah, 100% to everything you've said there. I think we can say the film is jointly influenced by The Exorcist | Silence of the Lambs | Se7en | Hereditary. And yeah I think when I say 'glam rocker' I mean at it's most basic someone who enjoys that aesthetic, not necessarily a rockstar. He certainly doesn't seem to have any social success to him. Although I suppose that does raise questions about the affordability of plastic surgery, but maybe he's been doing it to himself? He knows how to carve faces and stays conscious while his is hanging off.. 2. I hadn't considered that, I think that's certainly something worth investigating. The problem there is that there is a marked difference in his behaviour between the regular narrative and the ending where he's definitely controlled. Obviously though that can be explained away just by saying 'the devil etc' so it's not a huge hurdle, but I think it's something that's going to be ultimately interpretive. Interesting though. 3. I really like this one! And it fits so nicely with (paraphrasing) 'how we laughed when you said you were getting into law enforcement'. Reminds me of how Ruth laughs when Lee tells her she doesn't pray. There's a sense of laughing because she seems to be unknowingly embracing the plan, not just facilitating it. My only issue with all these replacement theories is that the apocalypse seems to be a big deal, and IF Lee does complete the ritual (killing herself or the girl I guess, maybe she has completed it already just by the actions we see) then surely the apocalyspe is a go and there is no need for anyone to be going door to door? I'm thinking outloud but I really do feel like this is the mystery we need to solve to fully unlock the ending.
Novum
Ahaha yes, we still call them Daddy longlegs where I live. That being said I just fucking hate spiders and probably was psychically ignoring that link lol. But yeah I think you're spot on with that too. I think the evidence is entirely 50/50 at this point, Two or three definite references to Longlegs as father and the same for Satan. It may well be both, we sort of see a similar thing with the trinity and the Triple Goddess so I guess it doesn't ultimately need to be specific to one of them. Perhaps Longlegs is 'Daddy' to Lee and Satan is 'Daddy' to Longlegs?
Novum
I don't have any experience with Nvidia shield sadly man - but if you are having issues watching still let me know and I can investigate other uploading options.
Novum
Thank you very much for that Nate, one thing made easier for me if/when we do a Complete Guide.
Novum
Very glad to have you here! Thanks for joining. I'd agree with that quote, I think the 'unmake me' was giving me trouble but I think you've got it spot on. Obviously he might see the Devil as a daddy figure but I think, given how messed up he is around kids and families in general, that we can say Longlegs probably didn't have a great childhood either.
Novum
I wasn't aware of the other two, cheers dude. I'm going to need to watch Gretal & Hansel first I think, absolutely love the style I'm seeing from the promo art. 'The Blackcoats Daughter' is one of my favourite titles too, as in literally the title - I haven't seen the film yet. It's just got the right amount of implicit terror in it and I'm not sure why. I think it may actually be reminding me of a verse from perhaps my favourite poem ever: "Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard. He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred. He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there But the landlord’s black-eyed daughter, Bess, the landlord’s daughter, Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair."
Lena M.
I have some additional thoughts about the movie and it would be great to hear what you think about it. 1. The movie is obviously under huge influence of Silence of the Lambs. It has a smart young FBI agent with weird childhood, her boss can be dismissive at times, even though she is kinda his protege, Nick Cage’s character is very similar to the serial killer from Silence of the Lambs. Also, there is a reference to the cycle of a butterfly, and butterflies were a big thing in Silence of the Lambs. Hence, I don’t think that Cage’s character used to be a glam rock performer. He definitely was aspiring to be one, while being a big creep living alone in a basement, just like Buffalo Bill wanted to be a woman. 2. I too found the behavior of Lee’s boss weird. And somehow it’s hard to believe that the main reason behind it is bad writing. Hence, I think that he was under the influence of satan the moment we meet him. And that is why he brings Lee in and helps execute the grand plan. Proofs: his family is very weird, kid is silent, wife behaves like she is wearing some mask. Also, the kid invites a stranger to her bd, which is also a part of the plan. 3. Finally, the grand plan. I think that the main goal of satan was to get Lee to replace her mother. She is FBI, a woman, and looks like she cares. Everyone will let her in their house. This means that times are changing and as less and less people believe in God/pray, it would be harder for Lee’s mom to get in the houses. It’s like rational thinking and logic replaced faith and that’s why more people would be open to talking to FBI than to someone from church. Proofs? Maybe Lee’s mother’s reaction to Lee saying that she doesn’t pray and that God doesn’t help. Sorry for the long-read, I just wanted to shared my thoughts on this movie, because I REALLY loved it!!! 😍
Stitches
Yes. Please. Complete guide.
natbat420
yes to complete guide!!!
Michael Hurd
Yes more long legs
TheRealAntiher0
Btw in the psychic test you mention longlegs as a possible father figure when she identifies the inverted triangle. A note: I don’t know if it’s a thing there, but here at least, when I was a child often people called them “daddy longlegs”.
TheRealAntiher0
By chance does anybody know a good way to sling this to a nvidia shield tv from iPhone? It doesn’t want to connect via chrome etc
Nate Dickson
1:08:56 I believe the poster is of Ozzy Osbourne
fuzzydunlop0507
Just join the channel absolutely love your content. As best I can make out Cage screams: Daddy Mommy Unmake me and save me from the hell of living.
Alexx T. Holden
Same for me.
Alexx T. Holden
Also, if you haven’t already for your own personal watching—for anyone, really—Perkins other films are great. The Blackcoat’s Daughter is phenomenal. I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives in the House is a great low-key Shirley Jackson-esque ghost story. Gretal & Hansel was not what I expected in the best way possible. Perkins may be a legacy horror kid but he’s definitely earned his own way.
Novum
I feel that 100%, I went back and forth with finding it creepy and finding it goofy as I was editing this. Ultimately though I think the prosthetics to do look good enough, and the performance is wild enough, that I do edge more towards creepy.
linen scented febreze
Speaking of little details, and while I'm still gabbing: Little Lee has some sort of badge thing she puts on before goes outside, just like her FBI badge. I don't think it means anything, just a cute little detail meant to tie the character designs together.
Novum
Cheers Alexx!
Alexx T. Holden
Loved the movie and am enjoying your take. “Serendipitous, cosmic devil magic”. Ain’t it just. 🤗
linen scented febreze
I've gotten to the bit where you're talking about Cage's performance, and I'm curious if anyone else a similar experience to me: the first time I saw the movie I *enjoyed* what Cage was doing but it felt too goofy to take it seriously, but then on subsequent viewings the performance became *more* menacing to me - particularly the interrogation. I think it's because I had gotten over the initial shock/"this is awkward" response to the performance. I was actually the most unsettled during my second watch, when I was watching for the little things I missed. It was genuinely disorienting when I realized Longlegs was addressing Browning, Carter, and Lee during his "and you were there" bit.
Benny Ford
The best albums are Electric Warrior & Slider. Always a gem or two on other albums to cherry pick from and discover. Might be best to hang out with just those albums for a few weeks, then explore later.
Novum
I was just about to search up T-Rex and start combing through lyrics, you read my mind again Benny!
Benny Ford
So far, so slick. I award you the coolest version of T.Rex’s Children of the Revolution. https://youtu.be/evEbAbQ2sQk?si=TW2BBj7QYb4-g-6H
