The film has been hyped and praised and is described as one of the scariest in film in several decades. "Longlegs" has been compared to both "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Seven" and "Twin Peaks".
What do I think about my film being compared to "The Silence of the Lambs"? I just say thanks! I would almost get annoyed if they didn't do it, says Osgood Perkins, who acknowledges that he was inspired by the film's FBI agent Starling, but above all Hannibal Lecter.
Does not want to glorify
Lecter is a completely brilliant, sophisticated serial killer, and such people do not exist in reality.
In reality, they are just disgusting people who enjoy killing, Osgood Perkins means.
I think they are uninteresting and would never make a film about, for example, Jeffrey Dahmer. I do not want to glorify criminals, he says.
Osgood Perkins' serial killer, with the same name as the film, is portrayed by an unrecognizable Nicholas Cage. He teases FBI agent Lee (Maika Monroe) with coded messages, which are supposed to serve as clues to the brutal murders.
The role is described as Cage's most twisted to date. Perkins tells that the actor took on the role with body and soul.
He was completely dedicated to his role and didn't change anything in the script. He is a very humble person.
Was in "Psycho"
Another role model when it comes to madmen is Norman Bates in "Psycho", played by Osgood's father Anthony Perkins.
"Psycho" is a role model in horror films. I think my dad played his role with great empathy and humor. I like when there are nuances, it shouldn't be a compact darkness, he says.
Osgood Perkins had a small role in one of the "Psycho" films. It gave him a taste for horror:
There was something there that attracted me and that I wanted to continue with, he says.
Fourth generation
When he made "Longlegs", his daughter got a small role.
Horror seems to be a family affair?
You could say that, she is the fourth generation Perkins on film.
"Longlegs" was marketed with short, cryptic puzzles in social media, which is said to have contributed to building up expectations for the film, as well as the fact that Cage's character was kept secret.
We took a risk and it paid off, Osgood Perkins notes.
"Longlegs" has its Swedish cinema premiere on August 30.
Name: Osgood Perkins.
Age: 50.
Previous films: Made his directorial debut with the horror film "The Blackcoat's Daughter". Has also written and directed horror films "I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House" and "Hansel and Gretel".
Trivia: Has a past as an actor and has had roles in major films such as "Legally Blonde" and "Star Trek".
