Discover How 'Longlegs' is Linked to 'The Blackcoat's Daughter'

Following an eerie and captivating marketing campaign, ‘Longlegs’ has finally premiered and is already being celebrated as one of the best horror films of 2024. The plot revolves around possibly psychic FBI Agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), who investigates a series of family murder-suicides spanning decades. Her pursuit leads her to the notorious serial killer Longlegs, portrayed with chilling intensity by Nicolas Cage. 

The film is a gripping mystery, featuring haunting cinematography, memorable performances, and a slowly building sense of dread. A standout element is the film's supernatural twist, contrasting with its marketing which hinted at a more realistic, ‘Silence of the Lambs’-style thriller.

Also Read: ‘Longlegs’ Review: A Haunting Tale of Dread and Sorrow

‘Longlegs’ shares thematic and stylistic elements with Osgood Perkins' earlier film, ‘The Blackcoat's Daughter,’ which premiered at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival and was released widely in 2017 by A24. This indie horror gem intertwines two storylines: one follows Kat (Kiernan Shipka) and Rose (Lucy Boynton) at a Christian boarding school, where a demonic entity possesses Kat; the other tracks Joan (Emma Roberts) on a perilous journey to the same school.

The film's snowy, isolated settings, minimalistic design, and slow-building narratives echo the style of ‘Longlegs’. Both films explore themes of Satanic possession and religious trauma, with similarly portrayed demonic figures. These connections suggest a possible thematic continuity, making ‘The Blackcoat's Daughter’ a spiritual predecessor to ‘Longlegs’.

Osgood Perkins' distinctive style—marked by atmospheric visuals, heavy dialogue, and subtle pacing—pervades both films, potentially linking them in a shared universe. The depiction of Satan as a shadowy, horned figure and the slow corruption of human characters by demonic forces are recurring motifs. 

While the intentionality of these connections remains speculative, ‘The Blackcoat's Daughter’ undeniably serves as a fitting precursor to the now-acclaimed ‘Longlegs’. This thematic linkage may garner more attention to Perkins' earlier works, especially with his upcoming adaptation of Stephen King's ‘The Monkey’ slated for 2025.

–Farheen Ali