Neon, an unbiased movie manufacturing and distribution firm, has launched a full-blown Oscar marketing campaign for one among its largest hits that graced the theaters this 12 months. After all, we’re speaking about Longlegs, a serial killer horror/thriller film written and directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe. The film was a large and considerably stunning success each critically and commercially, and the studio is now funding an Awards season marketing campaign in all the main classes. However we’re left questioning: Is Longlegs an precise contender for an Oscar win in 2025?
To be completely trustworthy, it is a fairly tough query, and answering it requires taking a number of various factors — such because the style, story high quality, vital acclaim, and star energy — into consideration. Oh, and the competitors can be an important issue. The checklist of subsequent 12 months’s contenders comprises some fairly notable titles, together with the just lately launched Gladiator II, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Half Two, Malcolm Washington’s The Piano Lesson, and a bunch of different titles Longlegs has to compete in opposition to.
For many who haven’t seen the film, Longlegs follows an FBI agent, Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), who’s tasked with monitoring down Longlegs, an elusive occult serial killer chargeable for murdering a number of households all through Oregon. Every of the households had a nine-year-old daughter born on the 14th of the month, and every of them was carried out in a manner that will counsel a murder-suicide during which a father kills his household after which himself. It’s an fascinating story for those who’re into serial killer horror movies.
Usually, horror films aren’t regarded on as Oscar contenders too favorably, no matter their reputation. There are various causes as to why that’s; the Academy tends to favor dramas, historic movies, and biopics fairly than horror films because the latter sometimes appeals to area of interest audiences and may not have the broad enchantment wanted to sway a variety of voters. There’s additionally a problem with fashionable horror films usually prioritizing jump-scares over storytelling, character growth, or creative advantage, which impacts their possibilities of being thought of for main awards.
After all, there have been exceptions, like Silence of the Lambs, which received Finest Image and 4 different Oscars. William Friedkin’s The Exorcist additionally fared nicely on the Oscars, with ten nominations and two wins, regardless of it being a horror movie. However these are exceptions and never the rule. Luckily, Longlegs will be thought of an exception amongst horror, because it incorporates a implausible story that has been in contrast positively to the aforementioned The Silence of the Lambs and even 1995’s Se7en — although neither is strictly horror, however psychological crime thrillers with horror components.
The story high quality is mirrored within the movie’s field workplace efficiency. Longlegs turned Neon’s highest-grossing film ever, surpassing the $53 million home gross for Bong Joon Ho‘s Finest Image Oscar-winning Parasite. It earned $74 million domestically and one other $52 million in different territories, for a worldwide whole of $126 million. Which may not sound as spectacular, contemplating that blockbusters make billions now, however not like the vast majority of blockbuster titles, Longlegs earned the aforementioned $126 million in opposition to its manufacturing funds of $10 million earlier than printing and advertising and marketing.
And lastly, let’s focus on star energy. It’s been fairly some time since we’ve final seen one among Nicolas Cage’s films earn an Oscar nod — greater than twenty years, to be extra particular. Nevertheless, the actor himself actually isn’t a stranger on the subject of incomes the distinguished award, having earned an Oscar for his efficiency as a suicidal alcoholic in 1995’s Leaving Las Vegas. Though Cage’s function in Longlegs isn’t as large, his portrayal of the maniacal killer and his peek-a-boo-styled appearances are borderline unforgettable and bone-chilling.
Maybe unforgettable sufficient to earn him a nomination for the Finest Supporting Actor class? Effectively, that’s additionally topic to additional dialogue. Although he had been known as the planet’s most unmistakable actor (and he’s nice at what he does), Cage is not having fun with the identical degree of fame he did throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s. With that stated, his newer movies — akin to Dream Situation, Adaptation, and Pig — have been all positively reviewed and praised. Maika Monroe will compete within the Finest Actress class, whereas Osgood Perkins will compete for the Finest Director award.
In the long run, campaigning is among the many most vital deciding elements on the subject of Academy Awards. Actually, that is frequent apply, as studios and filmmakers make investments vital sources in promotional efforts to make sure their films keep on the voters’ minds. Campaigns usually embody screenings and Q&A periods, in addition to promoting, touring, press releases, and FYC (For Your Consideration) campaigns — the latter of which is aimed immediately at Academy members.
Given the story high quality, the vital reception, and Cage’s memorable efficiency, Longlegs would possibly enter an Oscars race. Nevertheless, to win over Academy voters and present them why this film is worthy of an Academy Award, Neon must get Cage to make extra promotional appearances because the ceremony approaches.