Movies News Talk
Nicolas Cage's performance as the titular serial killer in Longlegs highlights how poorly another 2023 horror film, Renfield, made use of his talent and shows his capacity to depict a really horrific horror villain. Known for its "Nouveau Shamanic" approach, Cage's acting technique sometimes elicits conflicting impressions. But done right, his adaptability helps him to play any role—especially those in the horror genre.
In Longlegs, Cage is almost invisible as the pale and disturbed killer using his physicality to rule the screen. Longlegs surpasses other serial killer stories with this performance in addition to Maika Monroe's great acting. Longlegs shows his ongoing ability even though some of Cage's recent roles have not fully exploited his potential. This makes his involvement in the less successful horror film Renfield even more disappointing.
Renfield, a 2023 horror comedy inspired by Dracula, drew mixed reviews unlike Longlegs, which got great reviews and box office success. With only $27 million against a $65 million production budget, the movie failed to recoup its budget even with a decent 58% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Many elements helped to explain this, including the difficult mix between scares and humor. One major problem, though, is how Renfield made use of Nicolas Cage's skills.
Renfield veered into the more cartoonish sides of Dracula rather than committing to a really horrible interpretation of the man. Cage embraced the theatricality of the part but failed to arouse anxiety with his too strong Transylvanian accent. Though it suited Cage's public image, this overdone portrayal felt like a lost chance eventually. Longlegs shows Cage's adaptability and range, thus Renfield seems as a lost opportunity to highlight his actual horror capacity.
Cage's performance in Longlegs is one of the most remarkable things about him; he can really be hateful without depending on his usual over-the-top approach. With its occult themes and graphic murders, the whole movie creates a continual sense of anxiety and provides a singular horror experience. Using physicality and eerie makeup to rule every scene, Cage's performance grounds this mood.
Unlike Renfield, Longlegs stays away from the outrageous antics that have occasionally hampered Cage's horror performance history (like The Wicker Man). His performance is evidence of his capacity to capture a really horrible villain. Renfield's classic Dracula character might have been radically reinvented with this understated approach.
Nicolas Cage's internet popularity has caused him to be unfairly written off as an actor just dedicated to loud, bombastic performances, so ignoring his actual depth. While highlighting his dedication, the memeification of projects including The Vampire's Kiss, The Wicker Man, and Face/Off has eclipsed his subtle skills. Longlegs questions this oversimplified viewpoint.
Longlegs, Osgood Perkins' dark thriller, highlights Cage's skill with nuance. It reflects his tormented performance in Leaving Las Vegas, which was based on understatement even with its explosive events. Had Cage used his customary outrageous acting technique in Longlegs, the film's repressive mood would have been undermined. Renfield, sadly, neglected the fact that his performance shows him to be a multifarious actor able of much more than his public image suggests.