Maika Monroe appears in a scene from “Longlegs.”

From the opening moments of the new film “Longlegs,” there is a sense of dread, the unshakable feeling from the audience that they are about to witness something truly horrific.

That uneasiness permeates throughout, with writer/director Oz Perkins shaping a taut psychological thriller that is on par with some of the great films in the genre. With strong work from its lead, Maika Monroe, and a gonzo turn from Nicholas Cage, it all adds up to one of 2024’s most unforgettable films.

“Longlegs” tells the story of Lee Harker (Monroe), a rookie FBI agent whose first assignment is tracking a satanic serial killer known as Longlegs (Cage).

Harker quickly immerses herself in the case, with her psychic-like ability of connecting with the suspect impressing her immediate superior (Blair Underwood).

The closer Harker comes to tracking down Longlegs, the more she starts to uncover mysteries from her own path – and a potential connection that could give her an upper hand in apprehending the suspect.

Perkins divides the story into three parts – a structure that only adds to the dramatic tension. This is a quiet film that relies as much on what the audience doesn’t see as what Perkins allows them to see. The tension slowly builds, never giving the audience a chance to relax, but that stranglehold serves the film well.

It’s easy to see that Perkins knows his way around this genre, clearly learning a thing or two from his father Anthony Perkins’ experience working with Alfred Hitchcock.

Monroe also knows her way around the genre, having previously anchored “Watcher” and “It Follows.” She delivers another strong performance here, one that is cold and distant – with the wounds of her past still festering. 

Underwood and an unrecognizable Alicia Witt as Harker’s deeply religious mother are also good in smaller roles.

Cage has drawn a lot of pre-release buzz for playing Longlegs, but he might be the weakest link of the film. He is allowed to go full Cage (and to his credit does it well) – especially in the third act – but the character is at its best as more of an idea off screen and out of view of the audience than front and center. 

“Longlegs” will surely draw comparisons to “Se7en,” “Zodiac” and more likely “The Silence of the Lambs” – three of the best blends of horror and police procedural in recent memory. Those comparisons are just, but “Longlegs” is able to leave its own voice – adding a supernatural element that could have easily went off the rails but manages to be grounded in such a realistic way that it only adds to the overall mood and atmosphere.

This is a special film that has stayed with me long after the credits rolled. It’s one of the best films of 2024 to date.

Starring: Maika Monroe, Nicholas Cage

Directed by: Oz Perkins

Rating: R for bloody violence, disturbing images and some language

Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: A-