Neon’s “Longlegs” Marketing Campaign: A Masterclass in Cryptic Horror

Remember when movie marketing meant bombarding us with trailers that spoiled every scare and plot twist? Yeah, Neon’s not about that life, especially not for their new horror flick, “Longlegs.” This ain’t your momma’s marketing campaign, fam. They’re leaning into the mystery, embracing the unknown, and low-key freaking everyone out in the process.

Unveiling the Unconventional: Marketing Tactics That Slay (Literally)

Hold onto your hats, horror hounds, because Neon’s playing a different game. Instead of just dropping trailers like it’s hot, they’re engaging your brains and your bravery with some seriously next-level tactics:

Cracking the Code: A Serial Thriller IRL?

Remember the Zodiac Killer? Yeah, that’s the vibe Neon’s channeling. They dropped a legit coded message in The Seattle Times, sending true crime junkies and armchair detectives into a frenzy. Is it part of the movie’s lore, a publicity stunt, or maybe… something more? We’re not sure, but we’re absolutely here for the ride.

Nicolas Cage Whispers: Your New Favorite Nightmare Fuel

Picture this: You’re cruising down Sunset Boulevard when a billboard catches your eye. It’s just a phone number and a single word: “Longlegs.” You’re intrigued, maybe a little creeped out, but you gotta know. You dial the number, and guess who answers? Yep, Nicolas freakin’ Cage, whispering cryptic threats in character. Is it genius marketing or psychological warfare? The jury’s still out, but our sleep schedules are definitely messed up.

Trailers That Tease, Not Spoil: Less Is More, More or Less

In a world of spoiler-filled trailers, “Longlegs” is a breath of fresh, terrifying air. The trailers are like whispers in the dark, heavy on atmosphere and light on details. They show you just enough to pique your interest and send shivers down your spine, but the real horrors are left to your imagination. And trust us, your imagination is about to get real dark.

Delving into the Darkness: What We Know (and Don’t Know) About “Longlegs”

Okay, so the marketing’s got us hooked, but what about the actual movie? Good news, horror fans, “Longlegs” ain’t just smoke and mirrors. It’s a full-blown, ’90s-set satanic serial killer flick with a pedigree that’ll make your skin crawl.

Genre Gumbo: Think “Seven” Meets “The Silence of the Lambs”

If you’re craving that dark, gritty, psychological thriller vibe, “Longlegs” has got your number. It’s dripping with the atmosphere of those classic ’90s thrillers, but with a fresh coat of modern horror sensibility. Think dark alleys, unsettling clues, and a whole lotta existential dread.

The Perkins Pedigree: A Legacy of Terror

Let’s talk about the man behind the madness, shall we? “Longlegs” is directed by none other than Osgood Perkins , the son of Anthony Perkins, the dude who basically invented creepy in “Psycho.” Talk about a family business! Osgood’s already made a name for himself with atmospheric horror like “Gretel & Hansel,” but “Longlegs” looks like his darkest, most twisted work yet.

Star Power and Sinister Secrets: The Cast & Characters

• Maika Monroe: You know her as the girl who couldn’t outrun that thing in “It Follows” and the tech whiz who faced down a stalker in “Watcher.” In “Longlegs,” she’s Lee Harker, an FBI agent with a troubled past and a potential sixth sense for the macabre. Let’s just say, this ain’t her first rodeo with creepy.
• Nicolas Cage: The man, the myth, the legend. Cage goes full-on horror heavy as “Longlegs,” a satanic serial killer with a penchant for the theatrical. We’re talking gruesome murders, cryptic clues, and enough unsettling whispers to last a lifetime. This is Cage unleashed, and we’re both excited and terrified in equal measure.

Plot Points and Psychic Possibilities: What We’ve Gathered from the Shadows

Neon’s keeping the plot details under wraps (smart move), but here are a few tantalizing tidbits we’ve managed to glean:

• Family Matters, in the Most Messed Up Way: “Longlegs” delves into some seriously dark territory, exploring themes of religious upbringing and the scars left by messed-up families. Think “Hereditary” levels of familial dysfunction.
• Daddy Issues, Taken to a Deadly Extreme: Our boy Longlegs has a thing about families, but not in a good way. This dude’s M.O. involves driving fathers to commit unspeakable acts, turning the sanctity of family into a nightmare.
• Lee’s Haunted Past: Agent Harker’s no stranger to darkness, and her own troubled history might be the key to stopping Longlegs. Plus, there are whispers (literally) about some latent psychic abilities that could give her an edge in this twisted game.

A Match Made in Horror Heaven: Neon’s Bold Strategy

Neon’s no stranger to taking risks, and with “Longlegs,” they’re going all in on a marketing campaign as bold and unconventional as the film itself. Here’s why their strategy is pure genius:

From “Immaculate” to Infamous: Building on Horror Cred

Let’s be real, Neon knows how to handle a horror flick. They absolutely killed it with “Immaculate” earlier this year, proving they understand what gets under our skin (in a good way). With “Longlegs,” they’re leveraging that success, tapping into our collective thirst for the strange and unsettling.

Trust the Vision, Trust the Weirdness: Perkins Gets Carte Blanche

Neon didn’t just give Perkins the keys to the car; they handed him the keys, the map, and a whole tank of gas. They’ve been incredibly supportive of his vision, encouraging the cryptic marketing and trusting his instincts. That kind of creative freedom usually leads to something special (and by special, we mean terrifying).

Aspect Ratio as Art: Maintaining the Mood

Here’s a detail you might not expect: Perkins was adamant about maintaining the film’s unique aspect ratio, even in the trailers and posters. It’s a subtle touch, but it speaks volumes about their commitment to preserving the film’s visual style and unsettling tone.

Early Buzz, Big Scares: Beyond Fest Goes Wild

“Longlegs” had its world premiere at Beyond Fest, and let’s just say, the reviews were glowing (with terror, probably). Critics praised the film’s intensity, the scares, and the downright disturbing imagery. Word on the street is, this one’s gonna stick with you long after the credits roll.

In Perkins We Trust: A Director’s Vision, Amplified

Osgood Perkins isn’t just making a horror movie; he’s crafting an experience. And he’s not shy about giving Neon props for amplifying that experience through their killer marketing.

Shoutout to the Marketing Masters: Neon Knows What’s Up

In a recent interview, Perkins was all about praising Neon’s marketing team, saying they’ve done an “incredible job” of building anticipation and intrigue. He gets it, the right marketing can make or break a movie, and he’s clearly stoked with how Neon’s handling the hype (or should we say, the horror).

The Goal? Unforgettable, Unsettling, Unmissable Cinema

Perkins isn’t afraid to admit he wants “Longlegs” to mess with your head. He’s aiming for a visceral, unsettling experience that’ll haunt you long after you leave the theater. But here’s the thing: he’s not just going for cheap scares. He’s crafting a story that’s both terrifying and thought-provoking, exploring the dark corners of the human psyche.

Cage and Confidence: Neon’s Leap of Faith

Perkins also revealed that Neon’s trust in the project was so strong, they signed on before even seeing a single frame of the finished film. Talk about confidence! It seems they were sold on the combination of Perkins’ vision, Cage’s star power, and the sheer potential for a truly unique horror experience.

Gear Up for a Summer of Scares: “Longlegs” Is Coming

Mark your calendars, folks, because “Longlegs” crawls into theaters on July 12th, and it’s shaping up to be the horror event of the summer. With its killer cast, cryptic marketing, and a director who knows a thing or two about freaking us out, “Longlegs” has all the makings of a modern horror classic.

So, are you ready to crack the code, answer the call, and face your fears? We’ll see you in the dark. Just don’t blame us if you can’t sleep with the lights off afterward.