Summary
Nicolas Cage’s chilling performance as the main villain inLonglegshas been a big part of the horror movie’s success, but one particular scene could be a secret Easter egg for the next project from the film’s studio, Neon. ThroughoutLonglegs, Cage is fantastically creepy as the titular serial killer, also known as Dale Kobble. AlthoughLonglegsis full of subtle allusions and references, one of the 60-year-old superstar’s strangest moments stands out – not just for its weirdness, but also for the bizarre link it shares with Neon’snext 2024 horror film.
A blend of the occult, the supernatural, and dark police drama,Longlegsdraws inspiration from previous horror projectslikeZodiac,Seven, andThe Silence of the Lambs. Although the film seems to follow a typical police investigation, fantastical elements like psychic prescience, possession, and devil-worship soon dominate the story. At the center of the narrative isLonglegs himself, a deeply disturbed individual who claims a connection with “the man downstairs”, resulting in some very bizarre behavior. While most of these scenes only make sense within the context of the movie, one stands out thanks to a soon-to-be-released thriller from the same studio.
Nicolas Cage’s Longlegs Has A Surprising Overlap With Cuckoo
One Scene Creates A Connection
Longlegsis a unique standalone horror movie whose greatest strength is its singularly evil and oppressive atmosphere. And yet, despite being a solo project, one scene in the movie seems deliberately included to allude to Neon’s next horror venture –Cuckoo. Walking into a local store, a shambling Cage begins speaking to the girl behind the counter. However, instead of engaging in ordinary conversation,he folds his hands above his head and pretends to imitate a cuckoo clock.
…the fact that the main villain from the first film displays behavior that so directly relates to the title of the next Neon horror movie is a bizarre coincidence that demands further examination.
Upon first viewing, the scene seems simply to be an example of Kobble’s strange personality. It also continues his behavior from the very first scene in the film, when he “cuckoos” to attract Lee Harker’s attention. However, given the fact thatLonglegsandCuckoocome from the same studio and will almost release back-to-back, the fact that the main villain from the first film displays behavior that so directly relates to the title of the next Neon horror movie is a bizarre coincidence that demands further examination.
Longlegs Ending Explained: What Happens To Lee Harker
Longlegs has a horrific ending that leaves Lee Harker in an interesting situation. We break down the horror film’s ending and what happened to Harker.
What Neon’s Cuckoo Movie Is About
There Are Lots Of Similarities With Longlegs
WhereasLonglegsfocuses on the occult,Cuckoohas a much more fantastical approach to its horror. The film follows a 17-year-old and her family, who become embroiled in a horrifying tragedy after she agrees to work at a hotel in the German Alps. There, she is haunted and stalked by a terrifying, faintly-human monster, whose intentions are as mysterious as they are frightening.
LonglegsandCuckooare connected by much more than Kobble’s unsettling bird sounds. Both movies feature a young female protagonist against an opponent that they don’t understand. The films also have a focus on family – with the cuckoo noises inLonglegsa direct reference to the way that Kobble infiltrates families, compelling them to murder each other with his satanic dolls.
AlthoughLonglegsandCuckooare in no way connected officially, the fact the two movies share these uncanny overlaps is difficult to ignore…
InCuckoo,the family connection is more subtle, but no less important. 17-year-old Gretchen finds herself in an unfamiliar location, with her interactions with the hideous creature a direct result of her family – although why this might be is not immediately clear. AlthoughLonglegsandCuckooare in no way connected officially, the fact the two movies share these uncanny overlaps is difficult to ignore – especially given the hidden depth of meaning in both movies.
Longlegs' Cuckoo Scene Is (Probably) Just A Creepy Coincidence
The Two Movies Are Not Part Of The Same Story
As tempting asLonglegs' cuckoo moments make it to draw parallels between the two2024 horror movies, the truth is that the similarities are probably superficial. The lack of any official connection between the movies is a major problem for the theory, plus there’s the fact that, whileCuckooandLonglegshave similar theatrical releases,Cuckooactually premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2024. This explains the movie’s 81% Rotten Tomatoes rating so far ahead of its broader release.
Nevertheless, the cuckoo link between both movies does reveal some important truths about Neon’s horror movie output.Cuckoohas been praised for its “madcap” approach to horror (perRotten Tomatoes), a trend that’s in keeping with the energy Cage brings to his own “cuckoo” scenes. It’s telling for both that “cuckoo” is itself an antiquated and somewhat derogatory term for unusual behavior, highlighting how Neon as a studio is prepared to consistently push boundaries – even ifCuckooandLonglegsaren’t necessarily connected.
