10 Unmistakable Similarities Between Longlegs & The Silence of the Lambs

Warning: Spoilers for Longlegs

Summary

• FBI protagonists in both films face intense psychological manipulation, probing childhood traumas that heavily influence their actions and motivations.
• Mentor figures guide the protagonists through dark investigations, shaping their growth and providing expertise in navigating complex cases.
• Discoveries of victims in chilling crime scenes deepen the horror, unraveling the killers’ distinct methods and triggering intense psychological breakdowns.

Few psychological horror films have made a statement like Longlegs, eliciting instant comparisons to the genre-defining The Silence of the Lambs. However, with its extremely unnerving atmosphere and complex narrative, Longlegs confidently places itself on equal footing in the genre, peeling back another fresh yet equally disturbing layer of the human psyche. The Silence of the Lambs set a gold standard for psychological thrillers, but Longlegs challenges and extends this legacy with its own brand of unsettling suspense.

Longlegs’ enigmatic characters and twisted plot offer a new but equally deep exploration into the darker aspects of the human psyche. Though these are films in different times and locations, a common thread is the psychological element and the thrills evoked by the audience. Both films cleverly engage viewers in their worlds of chill and achieve an engrossing plot through the complex interactions among their lead characters, all protagonists and antagonists. From the iconic ending of The Silence of the Lambs to the ambiguous mystery left by Longlegs, the two movies share a great deal in common.

9 FBI Protagonists

Young Female Rookies Living Similar Realities

The main protagonists of both movies are FBI agents. They depict the issues a beginner has to go through in this particular field of profession. In The Silence of the Lambs, it is Clarice Starling, a young trainee with the FBI, while in Longlegs, Agent Lee Harker shows extraordinary strength and an undaunted will. Though tender in years, they exhibit extreme courage in dealing with both crimes. Clarice and Lee, novices in their professions, hold on to their cases with clenched teeth and an unrelenting crusade for justice.

Clarice persists in her chasing after the notorious serial murderer Buffalo Bill, while Lee continues her investigation with the disclosure of difficult and dangerous criminal incidents.

Clarice and Lee are two formidable characters; they are next to impossible to challenge in their abilities and mental resilience. Clarice persists in her chasing after the notorious serial murderer Buffalo Bill, while Lee continues her investigation with the disclosure of difficult and dangerous criminal incidents. Both have to rely on their instincts and professional training while being open to personal and professional challenges. In that sense, each of the characters expresses a classic prototype of strength and courage, as well as a role model in crime and investigation.

8 Prominent Mentor Figures

Influential Guides Who Shape and Challenge Their Trainees

Mentorship is fundamental to the development of the protagonists. Jack Crawford, head of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Services, takes Clarice under his wing to help her untangle the complicated investigation of Buffalo Bill. Crawford’s experience armed Clarice with expertise and confidence in battling the psychological pitfalls related to the case. His support was prime for her growth as an investigator since she could draw on his expertise while developing her instincts and strategies.

Crawford comes across as extremely sympathetic to Clarice’s cause, but more and more distant as his health fails and his powerlessness against corrupt bureaucrats plotting to destroy her career becomes apparent. Carter’s professional relationship with Lee is based on mutual respect and trust, but this relationship becomes strained as the case takes darker turns.

In Longlegs, similarly, Agent Carter mentors Lee. Critical to Lee during this murder investigation is the guidance provided by Carter, who supplies her with a source of support and expertise in helping her realize the complexity of the case. Emotionally and professionally, he helps Lee interpret symbolic clues, such as spiders the killer has left. This support that Lee gets from Agent Carter until his tragic ending is instrumental in developing her resilience and approach, the sameway Crawford mentors Clarice.

7 Serial Killers with Unique MOs

Distinctive Methods Defining Memorable Villains

The serial killers in each film have different practices. In The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal Lecter was born from a real surgeon who was renowned for cannibalism and subliminal psychological manipulation, hence developing the relevance of his character into something scary. Hannibal is capable of getting into the minds of others; added to the gruesome acts of his, the combination makes him uniquely frightening. This sophisticated and calculated approach gives dimension to his character and makes him something more than a stereotypical serial killer.

While Hannibal is a refraction of civilized evil par excellence, the killings by
Longlegs
symbolize religio-apocalyptic themes, specific connections to the apocalypse, and themes of the “beast” described in Revelation.

What is off-putting and unique about the modus operandi of this killer in Longlegs is leaving behind cryptic, spider-themed symbols, and manipulating his victims to do horrific acts against each other. Through this method of coercion and psychological torture, the backstory of Longlegs as a villain goes way beyond what one commonly meets as a bad guy, adding complexity and intrigue to the character. These unique ways define Hannibal and Longlegs as villains and solidify the movie’s suspense and horror.

6 Discovery of Victims

Gruesome Discoveries That Deepen the Horror

In The Silence of the Lambs, Clarice’s case shows her finding the gruesomely skinned victims of Buffalo Bill. The nature of these discoveries shows just how brutish the killer is and how much it would have a psychological effect on Clarice. Each body that is found gives them a little more insight into Buffalo Bill’s backstory and disturbing rituals, pushing Clarice deeper into the mind of the murderer. These are fine moments of revelation in the picture, carrying on the motion of the movie and ratcheting up the tension.

On a parallel note, Lee and her team discover a crime scene where a family has been manipulated into killing each other by Longlegs. This grisly discovery reveals the dimensions of Longlegs’ psychological control and the macabre nature of his crimes. Such a scene epitomizes the killer’s power to sow fear and dominate his victim, stamping an indelible mark on Lee. It is equally important that the discovery of these victims kicked off the investigations into action, highlighting the extremes of depravity by both killers.

5 Unsettling Clues Hidden in Gifts

Clues and Red Herrings That Drive the Plot Forward

Both movies establish jarring gifts as major plot points. In The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal sends clues to Clarice through disturbing presents, with examples including a jar containing a severed head. Such grim tokens serve as a taunt and guide, pushing Clarice further into the extreme worlds of Hannibal and Buffalo Bill. Grotesque gifts help in discovering major information and are key to establishing a sense of eeriness throughout the film.

In
Longlegs
, inside each of the dolls is a mysterious metal ball that serves as a satanic trigger, influencing the fathers to kill their respective families.

The killer sends letters with cryptic symbols and birthday cards to Lee. These weird messages become crucial pieces of evidence for her investigation. Each postcard and letter is a piece of the puzzle that helps Lee come closer to the solution of what could have been the motive and modus of the killer. Her mother, Ruth Harker, is unveiled to be the accomplice of the killer, distributing those evil-featured dolls at victims’ homes. A part of horror storytelling is played by the antique, real-life-inspired dolls in Longlegs.

4 Escape of the Killer

Memorable Moments When the Antagonists Outwit Eluded Capture

A key similarity between the two movies is that the antagonists of both movies escape at some point. One of the scenes in The Silence of the Lambs that makes it most memorable is the infamous Hannibal escape from custody. His ingenious and brutal prison breakout under the eyes of the concerned authorities exudes his calculating nature and danger, which leaves a dent in the audience’s minds. The breakout carries an extra level of unpredictability and fear due to Hannibal remaining at large, creating constant danger.

This delusion of both antagonists creates a sense that these are slippery characters and that the main characters are constantly in danger, keeping the audience on tenterhooks.

Similarly, in Longlegs, the killer narrowly escapes the trap that Lee and her team have set for them. This hairbreadth escape gives a thrilling turn to the narrative, escalating the tension and stakes of the investigation. This delusion of both antagonists creates a sense that these are slippery characters and that the main characters are constantly in danger, keeping the audience on tenterhooks.

3 Themes of Childhood Trauma

How Past Traumas Influence the Actions and Motivations of the Protagonists

Both films expose the effects of childhood trauma on their protagonists and antagonists. Clarice is haunted by the memory of lambs being slaughtered, which she confesses to Hannibal in one pivotal scene. That traumatic memory fuels her urge to save Buffalo Bill’s latest victim and puts a face on her vulnerability. The filmmakers’ exploration of Clarice’s past added depth to her character and underlined psychological themes.

Both of them—Lee and Clarice —are haunted by childhood traumas that touch their adult lives in the deepest possible ways, with an unresolved past shaping her vulnerability and Clarice’s memories of the slaughterhouse fueling her determination and fears.

In Longlegs, it turns out Lee investigates her traumatic past as a tie to the killer. This adds psychological depth to the story, as now Lee must face her demons to solve the case. Parallel exploration within the films of childhood trauma subjugates rich depth into the characters and tacks on added emotional intensity in the journeys of these characters.

2 Psychological Breakdowns

The Toll of Intense Psychological Manipulation on the Investigators

In both films, the main protagonists are psychologically manipulated from start to finish, and this is mentally exhausting. Hannibal is a consummate manipulator who utilizes Clarice’s weak points, examining her past and mind to off-balance and control her. It is his vague clues and psychological games that put tremendous pressure on her investigation, making her stand face-to-face with her most profound fears and traumas. This constant mental fencing wears Clarice down terribly, reflecting just how much psychological baggage she bears through her quest for justice.

Agent Lee is haunted by visions of her childhood, and in turn, she feels a great mental attachment to the murders she is investigating.

Agent Lee is haunted by visions of her childhood, and in turn, she feels a great mental attachment to the murders she is investigating. This kind of psychic link entrenches her in a deep, personal horror of crimes being committed that blurs lines between her mind and the forces she faces. The visions are ruthless, as they encroach upon her thoughts and dreams and raise her psychological pressure further. This kind of mental breakdown shows how badly the investigation has hit her and thus becomes a pointer toward showing the extreme psychological toll it takes.

1 Final Confrontation in a Hidden Lair

Dramatic Showdowns Leading to the Climaxes

The climax of both films involves a final confrontation in a hidden lair. In The Silence of the Lambs, Clarice confronts Buffalo Bill in his eerie basement. Perhaps the tension culminates when Clarice finds herself in the dark and labyrinthine basement, immediately creating a sense of claustrophobia, heightening the suspense as she walks through the shadows while searching for and trying to find her way out of the killer’s clutches.

These relentless pursuits lead to an intense confrontation at the climax of each movie, respectively, with both protagonists pitted against the face of the evil they have been pursuing.

The same can also be seen in Longlegs, where Lee traces the killer to a secluded setting associated with her past. The secretive lair, full of mystery and memories, presents a fitting location for the movie’s final confrontation. This confrontation, utterly secluded from the rest of human habitat, interlaces not only the threads of the investigation but also places Lee in front of her demons. This is a rather heavyweight face-off, thus giving a dramatic end to Lee’s journey that parallels suspense and resolution in Clarice’s climactic battle.Ambiguous Endings

Unclear Resolutions That Leave the Fate of the Characters and the Threat Uncertain

Both films wrap up in denouements that do their best to smear resolution into uncertainty, leaving the audience questioning the fates of the central characters. supernatural twist of Longlegs features a haunting indefiniteness — right after the tense confrontation between the entity associated with a string of murders, Lee is met with a critical choice. The hesitation to destroy the sinister doll creates uncertainty about whether the danger is truly over.

Having escaped custody, Hannibal makes a bone-chilling telephone call to Clarice, reassuring her that he has no intention of coming after her.

Having escaped custody, Hannibal makes a bone-chilling telephone call to Clarice, reassuring her that he has no intention of coming after her. This is, of course, combined with the very sinister promise to “have an old friend for dinner,” and completes the casting of a shadow over the supposed resolution in a manner that echoes the finale of Longlegs. Both films use such ambiguous endings to retain that sense of dread and uncertainty, which ensures that the impact will be felt long after the credits roll.