Summary
Nicolas Cage’s performance as the terrifying titular serial killer inLonglegssimultaneously secures his status as one of theleading horror movie actors working todayand reminds viewers of just how badly a 2023 release wasted his potential. As a performer, Cage has often divided opinion. His notorious “Nouveau Shamanic” acting style can oscillate between brilliance and unintended hilarity. When done right, however, Cage can transform himself to suit any part, however unorthodox – a trait particularly useful for horror movies.
This ability is on full display inLonglegs. Cage is virtually unrecognizable as the hauntingly pale, disturbed murderer, making full use of his physicality to impose his presence on the screen. While the whole movie is an impressive achievement, featuring other strong performances from Maika Monroe,it is Cage who helps elevateLonglegsabove and beyond other serial killer stories. While some of his recent roles have fallen short of his potential,Longlegsproves that he’s still a force to be reckoned with. In some ways, this makes his involvement in another, less successful horror movie all the more disappointing.
Longlegs Ending Explained: What Happens To Lee Harker
Longlegs has a horrific ending that leaves Lee Harker in an interesting situation. We break down the horror film’s ending and what happened to Harker.
Longlegs Proves Renfield Misued Nicolas Cage
He Plays Two Very Different Horror Villains
UnlikeLonglegs, which has received rave reviewsand broken box office records,Nicolas Cage’s 2023 Dracula-inspired horror comedyRenfielddivided opinion. While critical response was by no means disastrous (scoring a respectable 58% on Rotten Tomatoes), the movie bombed at the box office, making just $27 million against a $65 million budget. There are many potential explanations for this, includingRenfield’s difficult balancing act between laughs and scares. One issue, however, is howRenfieldused Nicolas Cage.
87%
Renfield (2023)
58%
Instead of committing to a truly terrifying interpretation of Dracula,Renfieldleaned into the more cartoonish elements of the character. Cage performed with an elaborate Transylvanian accent – clearly relishing the theatricality of the role, but never threatening to be scary. In many ways,the over-the-top nature of the legendary villain plays into the stereotype of Cage as an actor, making them seem like a perfect fit. However, asLonglegshas capably proven, he has many more strings to his bow, makingRenfieldretrospectively feel like a missed opportunity.
Longlegs Proves Nicolas Cage Could Have Been A Terrifying Renfield Villain
He Could Have Brought Real Horror To The Role
One of the most startling things aboutNicolas Cage’sLonglegsroleis how he is able to embody genuine malice without relying on the bombast that has served him well in past projects. In truth,the whole movie is deeply disturbing. The story, concerning grisly murders and the occult, exudes a constant miasma of dread – making it, in many ways, quite a non-traditional horror experience. Anchoring it all, however, is Cage’s performance.
(Cage) dominates every scene he’s in through a combination of creepy make-up and incredible physicality. In its subtlety, it’s everything thatRenfieldwas not.
Without resorting to the kind of over-the-top antics that often held back previous Nicolas Cage horror movies (such asThe Wicker Man), he dominates every scene he’s in through a combination of creepy make-up and incredible physicality. In its subtlety, it’s everything thatRenfieldwas not. While this isn’t necessarily Cage’s fault (and it’s important to note that the two films are tonal opposites), it does inadvertently remind viewers of what could have been.Longlegsproves Cage is more than capable of playing a genuinely horrifying villainand portraying Dracula in such a way could have been a radical reinvention for a classic horror character.
Longlegs Uses Cage’s Strengths As An Actor
It’s An Underappreciated Aspect Of His Career
Thanks to his prevalence in internet culture,Nicolas Cage has often been unfairly deridedas someone who, beyond being fully committed to his roles, lacks substance. The constant memeification of projects likeThe Vampire’s Kiss,The Wicker Man,Face/Off, and many others has arguably diminished his standing with the public (irrespective of his Oscars success), leaving the impression that he’s only capable of loud, full-throttle performances.Longlegsproves that nothing is further from the truth.
Rather than shouting, Osgood Perkins' dark thriller demonstrates thatNicolas Cage has always been at his best when roles have called for subtlety. In many ways, it’s a callback to his tortured performance inLeaving Las Vegasthat, despite explosive moments, was grounded in understatement. Had Cage resorted to out-and-out craziness inLonglegs, the movie’s oppressive atmosphere would have been immediately punctured. As it is, Cage proves that he is a much more complicated actor than many movie roles (including, perhaps,Renfield) are willing to give him credit for.
