BBC viewers are being gripped by the serial killer horror film Longlegs, which has been described as 'Mindhunter meets Silence of the Lambs'. The title was recently made available on BBC iPlayer, allowing fans to watch it for free. Originally released in cinemas in 2024, the movie was previously only accessible via premium subscription services.
Plot and Premise
Set during the 1990s, the film follows FBI Agent Lee Harker, who is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case. The investigation takes an unexpected turn when new evidence reveals a connection to the occult. Harker also discovers that she has a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.
With this premise, audiences quickly compared the film to Silence of the Lambs, which also featured a young FBI agent hunting a dangerous killer. Others likened it to the popular Netflix series Mindhunter for its approach to characters. Although classed as a horror film, Longlegs does not rely on jump scares or other typical methods to scare viewers.
Fan Reactions
This has split some fans, with some urging potential viewers not to look up anything about the film to avoid spoilers, particularly regarding a high-profile star who appears late in the movie. However, many fans have shared praise online, with one calling it "deliciously weird and truly unsettling."
Another claimed: "This is a masterpiece in its own right! The best way I could describe it is Silence of the Lambs meets Mindhunter! It gets very tense and suspenseful throughout the film. I also really dug the vibe of a grounded crime thriller with supernatural elements but it doesn't go overboard."
Someone else added: "Longlegs is a masterclass in horror that grips you from the opening scene and doesn't let go until the credits roll. This film is an atmospheric triumph, delivering a chilling experience that lingers long afterwards."
Sharing a similar claim, one person posted: "This movie is chilling. From the first scene, I was hooked. I could tell this movie was something special. This is the type of suspense that I wanted from Silence of the Lambs. This is the type of movie that movie WANTED to be. With all the flaws people might point out, I was still more terrified of this premise, the ambience, and the performances than any other movie I've seen this decade."
Longlegs is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
