Oz Perkins Reveals Hidden Poltergeist Homage in Longlegs and Reflections on Director's Cuts

There are intriguing layers to the latest film from Oz Perkins. The director has disclosed a hidden homage to the iconic 1980s horror film Poltergeist within his new work, though he admits to feeling that he mishandled it. 

An interaction on Reddit revealed some insights into his creative process. In response to a fan's query about the character name of Kiernan Shipka, who plays Carrie Anne, Perkins acknowledged that it was meant to allude to the character from Poltergeist. However, he expressed regret, stating that the connection was not executed properly. 

The character in question from the classic film is Carol Anne Freeling, originally portrayed by Heather O'Rourke. Poltergeist debuted in 1982, directed by Tobe Hooper and co-written with input from Steven Spielberg, tracing the eerie events after Carol Anne's mysterious disappearance caused by vengeful spirits. 

In Longlegs, Carrie Anne emerges as the sole survivor of a notorious murderer, a role filled by Nicolas Cage, who preys on families with daughters born on the 14th of any month. Additionally, Maika Monroe plays FBI agent Lee Harker. She is on the trail of the dark and supernatural crimes committed by the killer. 

Perkins shared his perspective on the director's cuts during the online discussion when a fan inquired about the inclusion of any omitted scenes. He expressed that viewers have essentially seen the director's version of Longlegs, emphasizing that the film was not tampered with. Furthermore, he critiqued the notion of director's cuts, referencing the Coen brothers' take on Blood Simple, which is notably shorter than its theatrical version. 

The film Longlegs is currently showing in theaters, and for those interested in more frightful features, there are several exciting horror films scheduled for release in 2024.