New in Cinemas: “The Scariest Film of the Decade” and a Western by “Lord of the Rings” Star

Horror film enthusiasts have had plenty to cheer about this year with highlights such as “Immaculate,” “Late Night With The Devil,” “The First Omen,” and “MaXXXine.” But that’s not all—now, “Longlegs,” the latest horror offering from Oz Perkins (“Gretel & Hansel”), has hit German cinemas, and it’s already being hailed as “the scariest film of the decade” after its initial screenings.

You can find out for yourself starting today on the big screen. If you need more motivation to head to the cinema for “Longlegs,” we highly recommend it. According to the official FILMSTARTS review, the horror thriller, which notably recalls “The Silence of the Lambs,” earned an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars. Critic Björn Becher’s verdict is as follows:

“The director achieves high quality not so much through classic horror scenes and the (indeed present) explicit moments of violence but primarily through the brilliant interplay of visuals, sound, and the excellent cast, which creates a constant feeling of fear and a lasting state of tension. The dramatic finale with the incredibly fitting end song ‘Bang A Gong (Get It On)’ is the ultimate release and the cherry on top.”

So, what’s “Longlegs” about? FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) is assigned to an unsolved case involving a serial killer (Nicolas Cage) who has been committing his gruesome acts for over 30 years. Each crime scene has a letter with occult symbols and the signature “Longlegs.” Harker manages to decipher the killer’s messages, the case gains momentum, and then takes a very unexpected turn as she discovers a personal connection to the murderous psychopath.

“The Dead Don’t Hurt”: A Western by and with Viggo Mortensen

If you’re in the mood for a Western, “The Dead Don’t Hurt” might be worth your while. “Lord of the Rings” star Viggo Mortensen, who stars, writes, and directs, plays Danish immigrant Holger, who volunteers for the army at the outbreak of the Civil War. His wife Vivienne (Vicky Krieps) is left alone and soon has to deal with shady characters. Holger returns home at the end of the war, but both he and Vivienne have changed.

Interested? “The Dead Don’t Hurt” had mixed reviews. The official FILMSTARTS review gave it an average rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars. Editor-in-Chief Christoph Petersen summarized: “Vicky Krieps delivers an outstanding performance in this Western drama, which often shifts from lyrical to tedious and relies too much on clichés, especially with the supporting characters.”