“Longlegs” weaves psychological tension and an eerie atmosphere into a film that reveals new depths with each rewatch.
Show host Carolyn Smith-Hillmer takes a deep dive into the chilling psychological horror/mystery thriller film Longlegs, which explores the haunting impact of trauma through atmospheric tension and an enigmatic antagonist that’s hard to forget. – Stephanie (Editor-in-Chief)
SHOW NOTES FROM HOST CAROLYN SMITH-HILLMER:
Editor’s Notes:LONGLEGS is maybe one of the craziest horror films I’ve seen in a long time. I’ve watched it four times, and I see something different every single time I watch it. Why would someone want to watch this multiple times? Let’s discuss!
Longlegs (2024), directed by Osgood Perkins, is a psychological horror-thriller that weaves a dark, methodical narrative around a series of unsolved murders. Perkins, known for his slow-burn approach to horror, crafts a tale that mixes real-world dread with supernatural overtones, creating a film that balances between mystery and terror. Its deliberate pacing, haunting atmosphere, and unsettling themes add depth to what could have been a straightforward killer-on-the-loose plot.
The strength of Longlegs lies in its ability to evoke a creeping sense of dread. Perkins’ direction, marked by subtle yet unnerving tension, builds an immersive experience. The film’s slow, atmospheric style may not appeal to every horror fan, but for those who appreciate a more cerebral approach to horror, it offers a masterclass in mood-building.
The cinematography, with its muted color palette and careful attention to framing, enhances the feeling of isolation and vulnerability, while the score adds layers of tension that heighten the sense of danger lurking around every corner.
The performances are another standout, particularly Maika Monroe’s portrayal of a driven but deeply affected investigator embroiled in the mysteries surrounding the titular character.
Nicolas Cage, playing an enigmatic and chilling figure, delivers a subdued yet terrifying performance, which adds gravitas to the film’s psychological intensity. Cage’s restrained portrayal contrasts with his more explosive roles, showcasing his range and adding to the tension with his quiet menace.
The film’s pacing mirrors the unraveling psychological states of its characters, especially Monroe’s descent into obsession as she investigates. This emphasis on psychological horror rather than gore or jump scares has been praised for elevating the film’s narrative complexity, making Longlegs more of a thriller that haunts the mind rather than relying on visceral shocks.
This episode contains spoilers, so if you haven’t seen this modern chiller, watch before listening unless you want to be spoiled.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
The Final Girl on 6th Ave is a weekly show where host, Carolyn Smith-Hillmer, dissects an arthouse/elevated horror film. Each episode includes a detailed play-by-play of the film itself and a subsequent deep dive into the thematic elements and symbolism. Because elevated horror is sometimes viewed within the horror community as pretentious, Carolyn makes sure to use her down-to-earth tone and unique perspective to make these films less intimidating for the casual horror viewer and less ostentatious for the genre lover.
Listen to more episodes on the show’s website here.
The Final Girl on 6th Ave is a bi-weekly podcast where host Carolyn Smith-Hillmer reviews arthouse horror films in a non-pretentious way.
Lars von Tier and Horror
Lars von Trier has been called a visionary, a sadist, and a self‑mythologizing provocateur—sometimes all in the same breath. In this episode, we unpack how an anxious kid from Copenhagen became one of the most controversial figures in world cinema, and why his work looms so large over modern horror and “extreme” art‑film. Focusing on Antichrist, Melancholia, Nymphomaniac, and The House That Jack Built, we explore von Trier’s “Depression Trilogy,” his use of grief, sex, and violence, and the ongoing debates about misogyny, ethics, and audience complicity. Along the way, we bring in film scholarship, critical essays, and production histories to ask a simple but uncomfortable question: when von Trier pushes horror this far, is he revealing something profound about suffering—or just building a house out of pain?
SOURCES/INFORMATION
Biographical and career overviews
“Lars von Trier.” Wikipedia.wikipedia
“Lars von Trier – Simple English Wikipedia.” Simple Wikipedia.wikipedia
“Lars von Trier.” Encyclopaedia Britannica (biography, awards, filmography).britannica
“Lars von Trier filmography.” Wikipedia.wikipedia
“Lars von Trier – IMDb.” IMDb.imdb
“List of awards and nominations received by Lars von Trier.” Wikipedia.wikipedia
Context and Danish film culture
“Lars von Trier and Cultural Liberalism.” Danish Film Institute.dfi
Excerpt from Regional and Global Dimensions of Danish Film Culture and Film Policy (on Dogme 95 and Danish film branding).catalogimages.wiley
Critical profiles and interviews
“Lars von Trier: Behind the Curtain.” The New Yorker (profile on von Trier’s persona and controversies).mubi+1
“Lars von Trier: A Problematic Sort of Ladies’ Man?” NPR radio piece and transcript (Pat Dowell, with Caroline Bainbridge).npr+1
“The Many Faces of Lars von Trier.” BFI feature.bfi
“Lars von Trier: An Overview.” Film Festival Today (career overview).filmfestivaltoday
Horror‑specific and film‑specific sources
“The Immersive Examination of Depression and Grief in ‘Antichrist’ [Unveiling the Mind].” Bloody Disgusting.bloody-disgusting+1
“Antichrist (2009)” – film entry and production details. IMDb and Wikipedia.imdb+1
“The House That Jack Built (2018).” IMDb (plot, reception).imdb
“Manically Macabre: Lars von Trier as Horror Icon.” Horror Obsessive.horrorobsessive
“‘Terrifier 2’ and 9 Other Horror Movies Which Famously Made Audiences Sick.” Collider (section on Antichrist).collider
Scholarly / analytical work
“Lars von Trier – The ‘Sex’pression Ideology.” Academic essay (via Academia.edu PDF).academia
Caroline Bainbridge, The Cinema of Lars von Trier (discussed in NPR and academic contexts).npr+1
Career primers
“Notebook Primer: Lars von Trier.” MUBI Notebook.
Episode play icon
Lars von Trier has been called a visionary, a sadist, and a self‑mythologizing provocateur—sometimes all in the same breath. In this episode, we unpack how [...]
May 1, 2026
Episode play icon
In this episode, we explore why we willingly scare ourselves — unpacking the neuroscience of fear, the psychology of personality and anxiety, and the surprising [...]
March 1, 2026
Episode play icon
The Final Girl looks a little different for 2026… in the best way! Join in for the first episode of 2026 where we uncover what [...]
January 21, 2026
Search Results placeholder
Follow Us!