Why is Nicolas Cage’s Serial Killer Called Longlegs? Why Does He Look Like That?

With the release of Longlegs on July 12, 2024, Nicolas Cage has become a central point of intrigue and speculation. The film’s marketing campaign carefully concealed his role, only for his dramatic and eerie performance to astonish audiences. The movie’s unsettling nature and Cage’s mysterious character have left viewers intrigued, prompting widespread discussion about his role and the film’s chilling premise.

So, let’s find out why Nicolas Cage’s serial killer is called Longlegs.

Why is Nicolas Cage’s character named Longlegs in the movie?

Director Oz Perkins recently shed light on the enigmatic title of the movie in an interview with Collider. While Nicolas Cage’s character, Longlegs, is central to the plot, the origin of his name remains unexplained within the story. Perkins revealed that the name was chosen simply because “it sounds good” to him.

Despite its ominous tone, the name is not meant to have a significant backstory or meaning. According to Screen Rant, the name also reflects his relationship with Harker, who first met him as a child.

Why does Nicolas Cage’s face look like that in Longlegs?

In Longlegs, Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of the villain has left audiences both shocked and intrigued. His character is nearly unrecognizable, featuring a grotesque, pale face and unnervingly long prosthetic fingers.

As per The Direct, director Perkins wanted the character to embody the physical and emotional toll of a life marred by trauma. It led to the choice of a horrifying, deformed look. The director said, “In the script, he’s referred to as someone who’s been ruined, ruined by life, ruined by living the life that he’s had to live. A good shortcut into that for me wound up being, like, when you see someone who’s had plastic surgery and you’re like, ‘Wow, you really f***ed that up, didn’t you? Your whole thing? Everything that was you is now f***ing ruined.’ So that was elemental, that was the shorthand.”           

Furthermore, Cage drew from a childhood memory to influence his character’s appearance. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor recalled how his mother’s Noxzema cold cream “spooked” him as a young child. This eerie inspiration contributed to the character’s chilling effect on viewers.