In the gripping serial killer thriller "Longlegs," Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe take the lead, yet remarkably, they hardly share screen time, save for a pivotal interrogation sequence near the climax. Director Oz Perkins employed a novel approach to heighten the suspense on set, isolating the two stars from each other's presence until their fateful on-screen encounter.
"The buildup to that moment was surreal," Monroe reminisced. "After five days of filming with Cage, it was his final day, nearly three weeks into the shoot. The director deliberately kept me in the dark, refusing to let me meet or even glimpse his face. He had crafted this character, this menacing entity, and I was understandably on edge.
"The production assistants escorted me to the door leading to the room where he was," she continued. "As the cameras rolled and the director shouted 'action,' I slowly opened the door, and what unfolded was entirely authentic and breathtaking. Cage was transformed, unrecognizable, and in that moment, I didn't feel like I was in a room with Nicolas Cage. I was face-to-face with Longlegs. Once the scene was wrapped, he had completed his transformation. Despite being immersed in his method acting, he managed to shed the role and, across the table, leaned over with his full costume and makeup, exclaiming, 'Oh, I'm a huge fan of yours!'"
In a recent interview with Variety, Cage elaborated on his admiration for Monroe, noting that her debut performance had captured his attention. "I wanted to keep tabs on her after 'It Follows,'" he confessed. "Especially in those opening scenes where she's tied to a wheelchair, being pushed around. I felt her pain, and she sustained that through the entire film. Her energy is unlike any other actor's. It's what sets her apart, and what makes her stand out is that Maika possesses a personality and vitality that are uniquely her own. She's one-of-a-kind, and that's a high commendation."
Cage also reflected on the intensity of their shared scene. "It was crucial for both me and the director that Maika and I didn't socialize much," he explained. "He wanted the scene to be a revelation for us both, which I believe was a brilliant directive. I approached it as a fan, and I told her so because I've been keeping up with her work and she was incredibly kind. Our interactions were brief, perhaps exchanging two or three lines beyond our dialogue, just casual conversation."
"When I think of Maika, I'm struck by her effortlessness," he went on. "There's a natural flow in her performances that masks any trace of artificiality. Her childlike charm is captivating, particularly when portraying Lee Harker, a young woman whose childhood was cruelly taken from her. Yet, she exudes a pure, vulnerable, and endearing essence. You instantly feel a connection to her, to the character she brings to life, and even to Maika herself. I don't know her personally, I don't have insights into her past or upbringing. I'm simply a fan of her craft, marveling at how she manages to deliver the most intricate performances with such seamless authenticity.
Regarding Nic Cage, Perkins revealed a sense of awe. "Having Nic Cage in your film is akin to having a tiger by your side," he exclaimed. "You don't tell a tiger how to behave or what to eat. With such a legendary figure, you give him the reins. You engage in discussions, offer assistance, and speak up if needed. However, Cage made it clear from the start that he preferred solitude. It wasn't a method thing; he conversed with me freely during breaks. He was just focused, avoiding social gatherings and dinners. I had the privilege of having one-on-one access to him, which allowed me to keep him and Maika apart until their pivotal scene together. This strategy served me well, ensuring their chemistry was intact for that pivotal moment." Discover more about Monroe's experiences filming "Longlegs" in Variety's exclusive interview and photoshoot."
