A gripping plot unfolds in “Longlegs”, whose dark ending reveals deeper secrets and the motivation of a brutal serial killer.
The “Longlegs” case: plot, ending and psychological depth
“Longlegs” follows the story of FBI agent Lee Harker, who is set on a serial killer in the 1990s who spreads fear and terror to the end through gruesome and ritualistic murders. The story unfolds as Harker realizes that she herself has a connection to this killer, which leads her into the darkest depths of her own past.
- Lee Harker: Harker, played by Maika Monroe, is an FBI agent who is driven by a deep personal motivation. Her psychic abilities make her particularly valuable to the investigation, but also vulnerable to the dark influences emanating from “Longlegs”. Harker’s motivation stems not only from a desire to bring the killer to justice, but also from the need to confront her own past, particularly the dark secrets her mother kept from her. This personal connection to the case drives her to extreme determination, but also to dangerous decisions.
- Longlegs: The serial killer “Longlegs”, played by Nicolas Cage, is a complex character driven by a sinister pact with a satanic power. His motivation seems unclear at first, but is revealed as the movie progresses. He is pursuing an occult goal that goes far beyond simple lust for murder. Longlegs sees himself as a tool of a higher, evil power and believes that his actions are part of a larger plan. His ritual murders are the key to a demonic ritual that gives him supernatural powers but has also completely destroyed his humanity.
- Agent Carter: Agent Carter, played by Blair Underwood, is Harker’s superior and an experienced FBI agent. His motivation is twofold. On the one hand, he wants to support Harker in this extremely difficult case, and on the other, he himself is struggling with the moral implications of the case. Carter is torn between his sense of duty and the growing doubt as to whether they are really up to the supernatural evil they are hunting. He continually puts Harker’s safety and sanity first, making him a stabilizing but conflicted figure.
- Ruth Harker: Ruth Harker, portrayed by Alicia Witt, is Lee’s strictly religious mother. Her motivation stems from a deep-rooted faith that blinds her to the dark secrets she unconsciously keeps hidden within her family. Ruth’s relationship with Lee is complicated and characterized by unspoken tensions that come to a head as the film progresses. Her constant emphasis on prayer and faith contrasts sharply with the occult events that Harker uncovers, and ultimately poses a central question of the movie: “Can faith protect against evil, or does it only hide it?”
The ending: a shocking revelation
The end of “Longlegs” brings a surprising twist that casts the entire movie in a new light. After Harker delves deep into the killer’s psyche, a connection is revealed that she never expected: the killer has a direct link to Harker’s mother and therefore to herself. This revelation forces Harker to confront not only the killer, but also her own family secrets, which she had previously suppressed.
- The denouement: The film ends with Harker realizing the cruel truth. Her family was part of a dark ritual that gave ‘Longlegs’ its power. This revelation shakes her to the core, but she must decide whether to accept the legacy of this dark past or end it for good.
- Harker’s fate: In the final showdown, Harker is confronted with a cruel choice: Either she sacrifices herself to end the cycle of horror, or she takes on the role of the perpetrator to continue appeasing the dark forces.
- Consequences: The ending of “Longlegs” shows that true horror often lies in the secrets of our own past. The decision that Harker makes is left open and leaves room for speculation about the continuation of evil. The film leaves the viewer with the terrifying realization that evil is never completely defeated, but always lurks in the shadows.
