8 films and shows that are just as unsettling as Longlegs

You saw Longlegs in theaters and now you can't stop thinking about it, desperately in need of recommendations for movies and shows with similar vibes. Don't worry, we've got you.

Cure (1997)

This Japanese film from Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Pulse) is an acclaimed psychological horror film, perfect for fans of neo-noir movies and serial killer thrillers.

Many comparisons have been made between Cure and Longlegs, as the 1997 film emanates with an equally palpable sense of dread that people picked up on while watching Oz Perkins' latest film. Similar to Longlegs, Cure begins like a fairly typical federal investigation movie and then descends into something far more sinister and unexplainable.

The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015)

The easiest recommendation for people who enjoyed Longlegs is to steer them toward the other movies directed by Oz Perkins, including The Blackcoat's Daughter, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, and Gretel & Hansel.

All three films tout Perkins' stylish flair, but The Blackcoat's Daughter is the most popular of the three and radiates a similar kind of disquietude to Longlegs. If you were impressed by Kiernan Shipka's single scene in Longlegs, you'll want to watch this one to see her as the main character alongside Emma Roberts.

The Clovehitch Killer (2018)

There is a seediness in Longlegs that comes from seeing an average home become the source of unspeakable horror, with one of the film's most sinister twists (SPOILER!) revealing the killer himself was living just downstairs, hidden in the basement of a picturesque home the entire movie.

The Clovehitch Killer has a similar icky and disconcerting vibe since the film hinges on a teenager discovering that his father might be a serial killer. Dylan McDermott's performance in this is fittingly unnerving.

The Wailing (2016)

Part of the appeal of Longlegs is the way Perkins executes a vibe of "oh god, I don't think I should be watching this." The Wailing is another film that expertly achieves that same sensation.

Similar to Longlegs, people start dying, and finding out the culprit behind those deaths is far more challenging than the police could ever fathom as it slowly becomes apparent that something sinister has invaded a remote village and is beginning to spread.

Possum (2018)

Possum is different from everything else on this list, but it's also super weird in the best way and, therefore, should appeal to fans of Longlegs, especially if Longlegs succeeded in making you feel really uncomfortable. An isolating, uncanny horror film, Possum focuses on a puppeteer who returns to his hometown to grapple with years of unresolved childhood trauma.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Longlegs has been frequently compared to The Silence of the Lambs and, to be honest, I don't think the two movies are all that similar beyond the fact they both feature a woman investigating a serial killer and forging a weird relationship with the murderer.

Both movies are fantastic; they're just tonally different. The Silence of the Lambs is more of a straightforward detective crime thriller than the mercurial waters Longlegs dips into, although there's definitely some Buffalo Bill DNA in the creation of Longlegs as a character. Nonetheless, if you're a fan of serial killer thrillers, then this is an absolute must-watch, so if you've somehow missed it, then now is the time to rectify that.

David Fincher... everything

If you liked Longlegs but wanted more of the actual investigation side of the story, then look no further than David Fincher. Longlegs clearly takes some inspiration from Fincher's works, like Se7en and Zodiac, so why not take the opportunity to go check those out? His Netflix series Mindhunter is also acclaimed and centers entirely on FBI agents trying to catch serial killers.

True Detective season 1

We've already addressed options for people who like more conventional FBI investigations and crime storytelling, but for those who appreciated Longlegs because of its unique take on a serial killer story, I highly recommend checking out the first season of True Detective. Frequently heralded as some of the best television of all time, True Detective is the perfect mix of cosmic horror, the occult, and criminal investigation.

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