Why Maika Monroe’s Longlegs Deserves a Sequel: 3 Compelling Reasons!

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Summary

  • Despite director’s hesitation, a potential Longlegs sequel could explore character development and psychic abilities.
  • The success of Longlegs at the box office makes a sequel viable despite Perkins’ reluctance.
  • A Longlegs sequel could introduce a new serial killer and provide a fresh, female villain with enhanced character exploration.

It’s not surprising that, when a horror movie is skillfully made, viewers find themselves eagerly anticipating more. Without a doubt, among the most buzzed-about horror films in 2024 was “Longlegs.” With Maika Monroe’s horror movie roles being a favorite of mine, I entered the theater with lofty expectations. Although I admired the creativity and direction of “Longlegs,” I felt it fell short of providing a truly fulfilling cinematic experience.

As a die-hard horror fan, I can’t help but ponder if we’ll get to witness more of the chilling tale of Longlegs in a sequel. While Perkins himself hasn’t explicitly voiced his desire for a follow-up, I personally believe that a second film could be an excellent opportunity to address some shortcomings from the original.

Here’s Why I Want A Longlegs Sequel

Despite finding the conclusion of “Longlegs” unsatisfying and lacking in clarity regarding the character’s killing sprees, I felt there was room for improvement in the development of Maika Monroe’s character, Lee Harker. A potential sequel could provide insight into Lee’s background and delve deeper into her character. Perhaps the sequel could be set several years in the future, with veteran FBI agent Lee serving as a mentor to a new recruit. This setup would advance the chilling narrative, allow Monroe to reprise her role, and offer opportunities for character growth.

Like the franchises of “Scream” and “Halloween”, a “Longlegs” sequel could explore how Lee’s childhood trauma continues to impact her life. By showing how she copes and grows in the present, it could offer a compelling continuation of her story.

In the potential sequel of “Longlegs”, the storyline might revolve around a fresh serial killer mirroring Longlegs’ actions. Detective Lee, having gained valuable insights from her past experiences, teams up with a new, eager agent to tackle this case. This setup provides Lee with an authoritative role, allowing for deeper exploration of her character as she is now more experienced and self-assured. Unlike traditional horror films that keep the villain shrouded in mystery, “Longlegs” famously unveiled Nicolas Cage’s character in a dramatic manner, interspersed with unsettling scenes involving him. The antagonist of the sequel should possess an equally chilling and peculiar demeanor as Cage’s character did. To make the sequel stand out from the original, it could introduce a female villain, adding a unique twist to the storyline.

Above all, I’m keen on a follow-up to Longlegs delving deeper into Lee’s psychic talents. The movie only hinted at this aspect of her character, and I found it intriguing enough to warrant further exploration. If the sequel were to feature an older Lee, it would provide her with ample time to master her abilities and apply them in her profession. In this hypothetical Longlegs 2, Lee could utilize her psychic insights to tackle the present case, as well as experience some visions that would add a supernatural twist to the narrative. This proposed sequel could prove to be one of the most captivating horror movie follow-ups, given its promise of being both engaging and thought-provoking.

What Did Oz Perkins Say About A Longlegs Sequel?

During an interview with Dextero in July 2024, Oz Perkins expressed reservations about a potential sequel to his movie ‘Longlegs’. In response to a question on the topic, he gave indications that he was not keen on moving forward with the idea.

Let’s observe its performance at the ticket sales. This is what primarily guides everything. I believe that once we find something successful and well-received, it’s natural to ponder, ‘Could we possibly repeat this success and expand upon it a bit?’

Perkins continued:

Aren’t there moments when letting things be untouched holds a certain majesty? Isn’t that often more difficult, though? Aren’t we more challenged by the act of leaving something undisturbed than by attempting to repeat our actions?

2024 saw outstanding performances in horror movies, and it was also a standout year for the horror genre at the box office. Perkins suggested that a sequel to the movie “Longlegs” could be made if it performed well financially. As reported by Variety, Longlegs indeed did exceptionally well at the box office, earning more than any other independent film in 2024. According to Box Office Mojo, the horror film grossed $74,346,140 domestically and $126,942,386 worldwide. Given that its production budget was under $10 million, this was a significant achievement.

If Perkins was thinking of creating a follow-up to “Longlegs 2”, the success of the first film would surely be encouraging. I’m looking forward to the next installment of “Ready or Not” as I believe its unique and chilling universe has potential for further exploration, and I find the idea of a “Longlegs 2” intriguing.

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2025-01-17 22:04