A serial killer horror film now streaming for free on BBC iPlayer has been called a "chilling masterpiece" by fans, with many drawing comparisons to Netflix's Mindhunter and the Oscar-winning Silence of the Lambs.
Longlegs is available at no cost on the broadcaster's platform, having recently been added in time for Halloween. It was previously only accessible on premium services.
Plot and comparisons
Set in the 1990s, the film follows FBI Agent Lee Harker, who is assigned to an unsolved serial killer investigation. The case takes a startling turn when fresh evidence links the murders to the occult, and Harker uncovers a personal connection to the killer, racing to prevent another victim.
Viewers have drawn parallels with Silence of the Lambs, which also featured a young FBI operative pursuing a dangerous murderer, while others likened it to Mindhunter for its character development approach.
Fan reactions
Although categorised as horror, the film reportedly eschews jump scares and conventional fright tactics, a choice that has divided some viewers. Some have urged audiences to avoid researching the film beforehand to prevent spoilers, particularly regarding a prominent star who appears later.
Many fans have shared glowing praise on social media. One viewer described it as "deliciously weird and truly unsettling." Another declared: "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."
A further viewer remarked: "Longlegs is a masterclass in horror that grips you from the opening scene and doesn't let go until the credits roll." Another wrote: "This movie is chilling. From the first scene, I was hooked. This is the type of suspense that I wanted from Silence of the Lambs."
Longlegs is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
