https://blackgirlnerds.com/is-longlegs-an-actual-contender-for-an-oscar-win-in-2025/

Neon, an independent film production and distribution company, has launched a full-blown Oscar campaign for one of its biggest hits that graced the theaters this year. Of course, we’re talking about Longlegs, a serial killer horror/thriller movie written and directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe. The movie was a massive and somewhat surprising success both critically and commercially, and the studio is now funding an Awards season campaign in all the major categories. But we’re left wondering: Is Longlegs an actual contender for an Oscar win in 2025?

To be entirely honest, this is a rather tricky question, and answering it requires taking several different factors — such as the genre, story quality, critical acclaim, and star power — into consideration. Oh, and the competition is also a very important factor. The list of next year’s contenders contains some pretty notable titles, including the recently released Gladiator II, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, Malcolm Washington’s The Piano Lesson, and a bunch of other titles Longlegs has to compete against.

For those who haven’t seen the movie, Longlegs follows an FBI agent, Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), who’s tasked with tracking down Longlegs, an elusive occult serial killer responsible for murdering multiple families throughout Oregon. Each of the families had a nine-year-old daughter born on the 14th of the month, and each of them was done in a way that would suggest a murder-suicide in which a father kills his family and then himself. It’s an interesting story if you’re into serial killer horror films.

Normally, horror movies aren’t looked on as Oscar contenders too favorably, regardless of their popularity. There are many reasons as to why that is; the Academy tends to favor dramas, historical films, and biopics rather than horror movies since the latter typically appeals to niche audiences and might not have the broad appeal needed to sway a wide range of voters. There’s also an issue with modern horror movies often prioritizing jump-scares over storytelling, character development, or artistic merit, which affects their chances of being considered for major awards.

Of course, there have been exceptions, like Silence of the Lambs, which won Best Picture and four other Oscars. William Friedkin’s The Exorcist also fared well at the Oscars, with ten nominations and two wins, despite it being a horror film. But those are exceptions and not the rule. Fortunately, Longlegs can be considered an exception among horror, as it features a fantastic story that has been compared positively to the aforementioned The Silence of the Lambs and even 1995’s Se7en — though neither is strictly horror, but psychological crime thrillers with horror elements.

The story quality is reflected in the film’s box office performance. Longlegs became Neon’s highest-grossing movie ever, surpassing the $53 million domestic gross for Bong Joon Ho‘s Best Picture Oscar-winning Parasite. It earned $74 million domestically and another $52 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $126 million. That might not sound as impressive, considering that blockbusters make billions now, but unlike the majority of blockbuster titles, Longlegs earned the aforementioned $126 million against its production budget of $10 million before printing and marketing.

And lastly, let’s discuss star power. It’s been quite a while since we’ve last seen one of Nicolas Cage’s movies earn an Oscar nod — more than two decades, to be more specific. However, the actor himself certainly isn’t a stranger when it comes to earning the prestigious award, having earned an Oscar for his performance as a suicidal alcoholic in 1995’s Leaving Las Vegas. Although Cage’s role in Longlegs isn’t as big, his portrayal of the maniacal killer and his peek-a-boo-styled appearances are borderline unforgettable and bone-chilling.

Perhaps unforgettable enough to earn him a nomination for the Best Supporting Actor category? Well, that’s also subject to further discussion. Though he had been called the planet’s most unmistakable actor (and he is great at what he does), Cage is no longer enjoying the same level of fame he did during the ‘90s and early 2000s. With that said, his more recent films — such as Dream Scenario, Adaptation, and Pig — were all positively reviewed and praised. Maika Monroe will compete in the Best Actress category, while Osgood Perkins will compete for the Best Director award.

In the end, campaigning is among the most important deciding factors when it comes to Academy Awards. In fact, this is common practice, as studios and filmmakers invest significant resources in promotional efforts to ensure their movies stay on the voters’ minds. Campaigns often include screenings and Q&A sessions, as well as advertising, touring, press releases, and FYC (For Your Consideration) campaigns — the latter of which is aimed directly at Academy members.

Given the story quality, the critical reception, and Cage’s memorable performance, Longlegs might enter an Oscars race. However, to win over Academy voters and show them why this movie is worthy of an Academy Award, Neon would have to get Cage to make more promotional appearances as the ceremony approaches.

The post Is ‘Longlegs’ an Actual Contender for an Oscar Win in 2025? appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.