The marketing behind Longlegs was so effective—cryptic, intriguing, spooky as all get-out—that the film probably could have turned a profit if it starred two pastrami sandwiches. The fact that it stands to do considerably more than turn a profit (a feat it achieved after its first weekend) is a testament not only to Osgood Perkins’ creative vision, but to the actors who carry it out.
In a write-up on Miles Davis’ On the Corner, Pitchfork’s Jonathan Zwickel remarked that the album’s sound was “so unified and driven even the dude playing sleigh bells rocks as hard and heavy as Miles.” That kind of synergy is the mark of a great jazz album, and it’s the mark of a great cast, too. In a movie like Longlegs, there are no superfluous roles: Whether they’re the main character, a one-scene bit of comic relief, or just a voice recording, every character has a purpose, and every actor has a series of targets to hit. The following seven actors all hit bullseye.
(Honorable mentions go to Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon, who made their presence known in the film through several incredibly conspicuous shots of their portraits. I firmly believe every movie should have giant pictures of their era-appropriate president displayed on the wall so we know where we stand.)
