'Longlegs' Interview: Director Osgood Perkins and Maika Monroe

Moviefone speaks with director Osgood Perkins and Maika Monroe about 'Longlegs'. "It's meant to be an enjoyable experience," Perkins said of the film.

Opening in theaters on July 12th is the new horror-thriller ‘Longlegs’, which was written and directed by Osgood Perkins (‘Gretel & Hansel’) and stars Maika Monroe (‘Watcher’), Blair Underwood (‘Origin’), Alicia Witt (‘Dune’), and Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage (‘Pig’).

Related Article: Maika Monroe Talks New Thriller ‘Watcher’

(L to R) Director Osgood Perkins and Maika Monroe talk 'Longlegs'.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Osgood Perkins and Maika Monroe about their work on ‘Longlegs’, developing the screenplay, Monroe’s approach to her character and what audiences can expect from the new movie.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above and watch our interviews with Osgood, Monroe, Alicia Witt and Blair Underwood.

Maika Monroe in 'Longlegs'. Photo: Neon.

Moviefone: To begin with, Maika, what would you say to an audience sitting down right now to watch this movie to prepare them for the theatrical experience the are about to have?

Maika Monroe: Good luck out there.

(L to R) Cinematographer Andrés Arochi and director Osgood Perkins on the set of 'Longlegs'. Photo: Neon.

MF: Osgood, what would you say to prepare an audience for this theatrical experience?

Osgood Perkins: Have a good time. It's meant to be an enjoyable experience. I know that people have been freaked out and panicked by this movie, but I really thought I was making something fun.

Maika Monroe in 'Longlegs'. Photo: Neon.

MF: Maika, can you talk about your approach to playing Lee and the challenges of playing a character as layered as she is?

MM: I mean Lee is very different from me, from who I am, and I thought that that would be a very interesting challenge, sort of removing myself completely from this role. But I think I began with sort of going back. Going back to her childhood, I think that that is very telling. She obviously went through some very severe trauma, and I think that's kind of what makes her who she is and how she goes through the world. Then, I think a lot was figured out on set. One of the first days we were filming was the scene with my partner. We were meant to go out and knock on doors, but we found the way that she walked and moved and the awkwardness.

(L to R) Director Osgood Perkins and Maika Monroe on the set of 'Longlegs'. Photo: Neon.

MF: Finally, Osgood, can you talk about developing the screenplay and the themes that you wanted to explore as a filmmaker?

OP: Well, the central idea is that parents tell lies and stories to their children. That parents oversee the perception of a child and what a delicate responsibility that is. Sometimes looking to protect the child, a story can be written, a cover story can be put up, a scaffolding can be built. That was what the movie was about for me. Then it just became honestly kind of a cheeky trick of, well, how do I get into a movie in a way that people are going to want to follow where I'm going? So, using ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ as just this recognizable touch tone that you know, “It’s a woman detective, she's out of her element, and there's a killer that they can't find.” So, I think that the idea was to really sort of tenderize the audiences' consciousness and awareness and readiness for a thing that they thought it was going to be and then of course, it's not that.

Longlegs

"Say your prayers."

R1 hr 41 minJul 12th, 2024

Showtimes & Tickets

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What is the plot of ‘Longlegs’?

In the 1990s, new FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) was assigned to an unsolved case involving the Satanic serial killer known as Longlegs (Nicolas Cage). As the investigation becomes more complicated with occult evidence uncovered, Harker realizes a personal link to the killer and must act quickly to prevent another family murder.