Longlegs isn’t Satan, he’s Mephistopheles

[@mistressofstones]

Im 5 seconds in but THANK GOD finally a literary analysis. I tried to get into something like this on reddit but wrong audience lol

[@mistressofstones]

For me at the 3rd viewing he seems like (the creature he is, not the man he was born) an eternal creature a bit like something from a Germanic fairytale. He speaks in riddles and makes deals like one of those creatures, but the deals aren't fair because of magic (although there are rules set by the man downstairs no doubt). Your analysis based on Faust is very intriguing to me 😊

[@AnthonyNelms]

​@@mistressofstonesvery cool and clever take. I loved this movie. I loved how openly satanic it is. When longlegs said hail satan I felt that he was talking to the packed theatre. Alot of people didn't like it but I loved it. It felt like a David Lynch film from hell. I heard somewhere the director said that longlegs is a demon who works for Satan and like everyone else hates his job with time but does it nevertheless.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Ooh I love that! I've always been more into Marlowe than Goethe but that's a great catch.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

@AnthonyNelms Yes! It felt genuinely provocative and challenging and dangerous -- like the greatest works of horror always are!

[@pdcdesign9632]

You just had to use the word GENUINELY 😅​@@secondbreakfastpod

[@raucousgeorge]

It’s a big stretch to say Harker is a Faustus character. The defining feature of Faustus is the making of the deal. Harker doesn’t make a deal. Her MOM makes the deal. Her mom IS a Faustus character. So the movie can better be thought of as “Daughter of Faustus”

[@roems6396]

She didn’t make the deal, but she is influenced by the deal. Is she a sleeper agent? What is the black mist that comes out of her when her mother shoots her doll? Was that just the substance that would mind control her to kill herself if her mother reneges on their deal, or is there more to it? I assume that is what was giving her premonition and psychic abilities too.

[@GasparGa]

I'm not sure I understand what he's trying to say. Longlegs is clearly just a servant.

[@OrangeManGood2024]

Stop making sense, you very well may break him/her/they/it/zee...

[@SonOfPsalms23]

Exactly

[@scotscottscottt]

Was just about to make this exact comment.

[@KidFresh71]

Nic Cage might be a meme, but let's not forget he's also capable of turning in a powerhouse performance. Wow!

[@secondbreakfastpod]

100%

[@sexdeathfashion]

he hasnt been a meme in like 10 years

[@roems6396]

His performance could have been absurd and comedic, and it still verges on that. But the direction, music, and atmosphere makes it terrifying instead. He did a great job.

[@angelcanez4426]

Nicolas Cage's problem has always been he's incapable of dialing it back. Sometimes you get a great performance and sometimes you get something comical

[@d4mdcykey]

@@angelcanez4426 Not really, his performances in films such as PIG, and JOE are outstanding in many respects and there's no dialing necessary, up or down, he simply plays the role as it needed to be played. So while he CAN play it 'straight', he often sees opportunities to take it somewhere else, uniquely his own. For sure he is known for taking some scenes beyond what anyone else would do but he is a huge fan of silent film and various character actors (particularly Brando) and this is what makes him such an enormous fan favorite, he's the definition of out-of-the-box.

[@jpmcpheemcphee2695]

Best part of the movie? Mother: "We're going to go cut the cake in the kitchen, we'll be right back" Father: "NO! I'll be back, she wont!"

[@secondbreakfastpod]

That whole exchange was chilling!

[@LOWBORN-the-LOATHSOME]

“No, I'll be right back, _you'll still be in the kitchen.”_

[@jneilson7568]

It was chilling on the very edge of ridiculous, their helpless awareness made it worse.

[@JediJuniper92]

@@jneilson7568omg incredibly point, that they literally knew but were unable to do anything about it 😢😢

[@jedijoey3]

i looked at my girlfriend when he said that and gave her a “holy shit” look. so so good.

[@andreromero4585]

Faust: 24 years contract Longlegs: 24 minutes singing Happy Birthday

[@mykameakulpa]

random, but i immediately got a hint at the faustian bargain during my first viewing when the cops captured longlegs literally at a crossroad by a bus stop, in the middle of a road - a common visual interpretation of the faustian bargain scene

[@Saffron-sugar]

Good point. I also wondered if he had been killing for 24 years and now it was time for him to go into hell? Maybe long legs was Faust?

[@CakesTv1337]

Maybe I'm thinking of something else, but isn't it usually a crossroad?

[@roems6396]

She didn’t gain anything though. It’s more of a blackmailing, than a bargain.

[@idiot_city5444]

Definitely wasn't a crossroads, lol...

[@112523]

As someone who isn't a fan of this director. This movie is gonna be one of those you can watch 10 times and still discover things that might change you're idea about whats going on. This is one of those horror movies that might make you question why its a horror movie on the first viewing. But as it sinks in the actual horror of the story slowly sinks in

[@secondbreakfastpod]

I totally agree. The second viewing really foregrounded the horror for me.

[@JediJuniper92]

Yes!! This is how Hereditary is for me, too, it becomes horror by the third act and the final scene when the whole story finally settles in.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Great comparison! On our previous horror episodes, we've called this subgenre "puzzlebox horror". It's very high risk / high reward for me, and usually works better on a second watch.

[@scotscottscottt]

Man I strongly encourage you to rewatch his previous films. Especially Gretel and Hansel. Brilliant symbolism.

[@coby3727]

what about lee harkers mother as faustus? and she gets dragged down to hell when she’s killed by her own daughter

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Totally! I think Lee and her mother are both Faustus-style characters here!

[@weinteruptth.1479]

@@secondbreakfastpodLee’s mother making the deal to save her daughter in return for servitude is pretty clear. I do wonder if the devil would’ve cheated the mom and forced Lee to serve as well if her doll wasn’t shot (I just got out of the theater so still trying to wrap my head around everything)

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Ooh that's interesting. I wonder if that would've felt too bleak? It's so interesting with horror movies -- we go to them because we love monsters and being scared, but some small part of us still wants the hero to win in the end and live happily ever after.

[@weinteruptth.1479]

@@secondbreakfastpod I agree as well it’s nice that Lee won but if we look at the Bible for reference the devil did tempt long legs and the mom which ended up having 5? families destroyed in the process and he’s still out there in hell waiting for another chance. It’s very bitter sweet. Your theory seems very well thought out great video too

[@PICODEGAYYO]

Whoa, I totally get what you’re putting down!

[@ShiniestMew]

There's info in the codes left by longlegs and on the birthday murders site. The wind demon Hanbi is mentioned, and he is the father of Pazuzu. There's a focus on rock music, and a sound coming from the silver orbs. I'm more inclined to believe this is related to sound, connected to the wind demon. At least we have the threads. Longlegs also carries a guitar.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

This is so interesting, thank you! I haven't seen much analysis about the musical element of the film, this is fascinating.

[@faviodezi9553]

The silver orbs inside the dolls seem a Phantasm reference.

[@Imfromtheportlandorarea]

It really did remind me of that

[@Roseforthethorns]

I cannot WAIT to see this a second time. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I saw it last week

[@livstibal3852]

Me too, it lives in your head like a worm, I need to watch it at least 3 more times

[@Roseforthethorns]

@@livstibal3852 I’m torn between returning to theaters and waiting for streaming. I want to be able to read the subtitles along with all the visual info.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Me too! We saw it in 35mm the first time and just a standard digital projection the second time. I wound totally recommend seeing both if you can, they are markedly different experiences.

[@Coolplastictoys]

Once in theater and now I’m saving to own it on physical media. Hopefully NEON does a steelbook.

[@WolfPred]

What did you think about the shadows of the devil seen through out the movie? How many did you catch?

[@inspirefolie]

The "sale" of her soul was made without her consent by her mother when she was 9. The mother thought she was saving her daughter's soul, but she ended up damning them both. I viewed the movie from the point of view of a survivor of CAS, and the cycle of abuse and evil that lurks in all those outwardly religious/wholesome/nuclear happy homes was honestly more tragic and terrifying to me than any jumpscare or "monster" because it is very much a reality.

[@Gaga13Kaulitz10ANIME]

Totally agree! I was waiting the whole movie in fact for there to be a tidbit about her former partner/Lee's dad as well, as a sort of short backstop for the mom and her comments "no one ever visits us"... just felt like there could've been another cool Avenue to explore there

[@chickenandksivideoreviewer9739]

I'm sick of abuse allegories, it's about the devil

[@inspirefolie]

@@chickenandksivideoreviewer9739 k

[@FireBurner101]

Ohh my hecking politics

[@inspirefolie]

@@FireBurner101 wtf does child sex abuse have to do with politics, cheese dick?

[@aroha9090]

I think there are clear parallels with Hereditary, that pervasive sense of doom, where even if the characters solve the film's clues, there's no changing avoiding the inevitably tragic outcome. If there's a Faustian bargain, it's between Ellen & Paimon, Ruth & Longlegs. Both mothers bargain for different reasons (Ellen wants power, Ruth wants to extend Lee's life). Peter & Lee appear to be the wagers, mothers betting with demons using their children/grandchildren as collateral. A bit like the story of Rumpelstiltskin, bargaining with the first-born. Longlegs may or may not be inhabited by a demon, but a broker between the infernal & mortal. In Hereditary many viewers have interpreted the ending as Ellen getting what she hoped for. However, I think there are clear implications that Ellen bit off more than she could chew. After all, what are Paimon's motivations for obtaining a mortal vessel? He's not going to be satisfied going to high school & chilling like a normal teenager. He's going to want to cause destruction & pain in the real world, & probably, find a way to bring the devil into it & kick start the apocalypse. Dealing with demons seems to be an obviously bad deal. You can't deal with someone who you can't trust. A deal relies on both parties keeping their word & demons, by their very nature, aren't trustworthy. Ruth's deal seems to extend Lee's life, but what does Longlegs truly want? What kind of life does Lee have after all that? She's never truly in control over her own existence. & in return, Longlegs gets a safe place to hide, a corrupted servant in Ruth & in the end, still gets to destroy Lee's life. All that happens is that Ruth enables Longlegs the ability to more easily spread misery & death for a longer time than he may have without her help. Merely a false stay of execution rather than a true reprieve. The tragedy of dealing with demons is that you can't trust them.

[@Imfromtheportlandorarea]

Woah that’s an long read comment

[@janesgems7]

Bit like politicians.

[@malcolmwos156]

I partly disagree with her being arrested after the fact because they'd clearly notice the stab wounds / prints from the father stabbing the mother and Harker shooting him as defense. Now, the mother situation is much more open in the air

[@secondbreakfastpod]

It's definitely open-ended, but I was left with a feeling of dread for her future both times I saw the ending.

[@cleric7]

I agree. forensics will show that she acted in self defense. Satan still won because she was forced to kill her mom, and will have to carry that for the rest of her life, so I definitely don't see anything positive in her future

[@awesumtoast97]

Same but I thought they won't believe the dolls posess them

[@wolfie1703]

The mom was about to shoot the kid though wasn't she?

[@sirius851]

The mom had a knife in her purse, there are her fingerprints on it, they will possibly notice that she lunged onto the main character. She also shot that fbi lady with her own double barrel on which the police will also find her fingerprints. There will definitely gonna be an investigation, but I doubt that she will go to jail for that.

[@ryandozier8053]

I thought the sigils ALLLLLLLLL over the marketing made it implicitly clear this was occult horror, devil shit.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

That's an interesting point, but I think there's a difference between having characters who are satanists and actually portraying Satan / the supernatural as real.

[@5to522]

@@secondbreakfastpod I don't think people thought Longlegs himself was satan. What I got was that he was a man serving Satan until his time was up. He was to satan or a demon like Renfield to Dracula.

[@awesumtoast97]

Mostly everyone looked at it as he was a Satanist. But not literally a vessel

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Interesting comparison, Longlegs certainly has that Renfield-like fanaticism to him!

[@lxw6657]

I didn't get this at all I was thinking more of a zodiac type beat but also like... Something down to Earth, silence of the lambs type deal. First watch I thought the occult weaving into the story was insanely cringe cause it's not scary, it's make believe. Real life CAN be horrifying. But I like all the little hints, the camerawork, the soundtrack. Everything is so immersive and eerie asf.

[@LithionR1se114]

Well looks like Longlegs has a spiritual prequel in Ghost Rider then

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Ha! Love this comment! For some reason, I saw both of those movies -- in the theater!

[@ouranos0101]

Nic Cage is in a class of his own. A master of his craft.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

It's an incredible performance, I hope he gets some awards recognition at the end of the year!

[@Catdogomeow]

I honestly never saw Longlegs as a human , he was more like a demon serving a devil. I feel like the mother was Faust

[@Saffron-sugar]

That’s what he said at the beginning. He said that Long leg was like Mephistopheles (that’s the Demon that Faust makes the bargain with).

[@GSP-76]

I never thought Longlegs was the devil....I thought that much was pretty clear throughout the movie. He even said things referring to working for the man downstairs, etc. To me Cobble (Longlegs) seemed more to be another one of the Devil's victims. Listening to the way he talks, it seemed like he was forced to do the Devil's bidding because he made an illicit deal for his soul...I can't say though because they never go into Cobble's past in the movie.

[@calamari89]

I don’t know that she’ll get arrested for all this, it’s pretty clear Carter killed his wife and I don’t see why she would be blamed for that

[@secondbreakfastpod]

I think the death of Harker's mom is a factor here, especially since a witness saw Harker take her out. Either way, there's a metaphorical, personal hell that Harker is being thrust into by the film's climax.

[@KingJulienMoto]

I see your point, but Harker’s mom still killed a cop before getting shot by Harker, which further adds ti the complexity of the case.. I would love to see how things really play out in the aftermath.

[@MichaelRector-qf7xp]

I'm going to see it again today there's a lot of layers to this film I'm constantly reevaluating it and that's a sign of good art

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Love this comment

[@AliceBowie]

Goethe's Faust is amazing. Marlowe's Dr Faustus is good, but Faust is great, and Faust Part 2 is one of the best things ever written. Faust Part 2 is definitely considered the best work of German literature.

[@AlexisMitchell87]

Ruth sold her soul to save Lee. Lee didn't make any Faustian bargain. Longlegs gives her a choice so Lee didn't become the seventh victim.

[@elketerbentzadik]

I mean, sure. 🤷‍♀️ But the person who makes the deal is the mother who is IMMEDIATELY dragged to hell to keep her daughter safe from "hell" for X amount of years.

[@mconcepcion752]

You're Faust, I'm Faust, we're all Faust

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Music to my ears!

[@comebackqing8452]

Are there any more FAUSTS I should know about?

[@MrBadActors]

8:23 If you remember, she open the letter and she put her finger on the "S" of "Longlegs", and the "S" vanish and it look like the letter is actually written with blood. It can be interpret almost as an unvolutary signature.

[@beanofdean]

I think it does not vanish but smudge to show how recently it was written

[@MrBadActors]

@@beanofdean Yes I think you're right but even with this case, it's pretty surreal that he could write the letter, with the cipher code and stuff during the very short time he was in the house. I love that.

[@ThatColorBlue]

One thing that I found very interesting in this movie was the silver balls that were in the heads of the dolls. It was very similar to the silver ball seen in the head of the manufactured Dougie in the red room Twin Peaks season 3. It makes me wonder if Osgood Perkins is a Twin Peaks fan and took some inspiration from that

[@americanagothic7851]

I agree. There are lots of things like this in his flicks. I see lots of Coppola inspired visuals in Longlegs.

[@edb4ll165]

Honestly I like to think Lee would’ve eventually been alright. Assuming there’s no supernatural evidence tampering, although that might be a pretty big ‘if’, then they have all the evidence to show the husband attacked and killed the wife, and so it would be reasonable to assume that Lee shot him in self-defence, which she did. As for the mum, the lines are blurred a bit more, but they’ll find the knife with her fingerprints on it so they could also assume the mum attacked Lee first? Furthermore, she has the daughter as a witness, assuming she’s not possessed or catatonic and she can be used as a legit witness. So all in all, I think there’s a good chance she’d be cleared of all charges, or at least that she’d get a reduced sentence. Then again, I don’t know how the law works in America so I could be completely wrong

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Really interesting analysis here, and I love the idea that the movie leaves Lee with the question of how much she can tell the truth about what happened at the end. If Satan and Longlegs and the freaky dolls are all real in this world, then you'd want to shout it from the rooftops -- but if you do, everyone might think you're a nut. Invoking demons during a trial, especially one that lived in the basement of your childhood home, is not going to make you look great!

[@JediJuniper92]

Love this take, but the open ended-ness for me remains mostly as to the fact that the doll is still unharmed when the credits roll, hence the little girl still under its spell, and that makes me the most anxious because then what exactly does that mean? When the cops arrived does Lee grab one’s gun and shoot it then? Is she able to or is she also under some sort of curse/spell that Longlegs created specifically for that doll? Ugh I love this movie!

[@notmyrealpseudonym6702]

While talking about the dolls - we know there are dolls, she knows, but the FBI know about a singular doll which is incidental to, but not automatically associated with the farm murder, a broken doll and associated material at Lee's mother's house and thus associated with Longlegs, and the unbroken Ruby one. The other murders don't have the dolls as evidence associated with the crime, they were taken by Lee's mum after the murders as not associated with the other murders (the only link mentioned by the fbi is the daughter's birth day being 14). Also, Lee, while under control, joins the FBI and is being used as a method or process to set up in specific time, her own demise. Longlegs would have had to prior know her chief's daughter's birthday is 14th and set up so that Lee arrives to make the choice between kill her mum or allow the family to die, which explains why Longlegs 'gives himself up' at a specific date, sets up messages for her including letters and letting her see her type of fate in 'another girl who wakes up' as well as using the mum to message her when talking with her, as well as obviously the murders. To me it is a coming of age movie, her birth is when the metal ball (a techne apple) is bitten and she is thrown from the relative paradise of being 'suppressed and controlled by a powerful being' to having a (terrible) choice. Christianity is paradise to profane, she is from profane (a naive child) to purgatory (a stilled growth) to the circles of hell. Her awareness is born when she realizes her 'blindness' and comes out of it. People felt the ending was rushed ... but it is meant to be ... its the overwhelm of realizing you are uprooted and no longer asleep.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Love this analysis, and the fact that this movie can give me that sinking feeling of dread almost a week later! Such insidious ambiguity, it's wonderful storytelling.

[@ohiotoledo3787]

Well damn ur last sentence just blew up ur entire argument then

[@JiuJitsuM4]

Funny, I analyzed Marlowe’s plays for a grad class in my first semester. I’m glad to have this video show up on my feed.

[@jeremiahfry6799]

Seeing it a 2nd time almost makes it a different movie because you can see differences all over like see the satan shadow multiple times besides just at the end

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Yes! I noticed so many more of those the second times, it almost reminded me of the ghosts hidden throughout Mike Flanagan's The Haunting of Hill House!

[@keyvwee1367]

Amazing video. One of the best vids I’ve seen regarding this movie. I think this film is gonna be the best horror film of the year, and one that will be talked about for years.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Thank you very much, and I'm glad you enjoyed the movie! I hope Cage gets some awards recognition for his performance.

[@keyvwee1367]

@@secondbreakfastpod I doubt it. Considering many award shows don’t give horror actors the recognition they deserve. But nonetheless amazing performance

[@NicolasCurcioWriter]

This is such a good analysis. I've seen the film twice so far. Rich text!

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Can't wait to see how it evolves over the years. Excuse the pun, but I think this movie has legs!

[@BeamMeUpScotyy]

I saw this movie last week and haven’t stopped thinking about it! Great video and great analysis :)

[@arnthorsnaer]

I want to see it a second time, I question her ability to sense / see anything. I think a part of her just knows things.

[@jason_odonnell]

This is amazing. Pretty much saved the movie for me. Looking forward to seeing it again. By the way, Mephistopheles’ definition of Hell isn’t a place but a condition of the Mind. The Faustian Hell is anywhere God is Not. Lee doesn’t pray. She is Not with God. She has arguably been in Hell her entire life.

[@caileymarietattoo]

I have absolutely been telling people longlegs absolutely benefits from a second watch. I felt disappointed the first time bc I was expecting an unreasonable experience. Second time once I knew what was happening I really enjoyed it

[@TheFatmanjelly]

absolutely

[@bunnyfeng4300]

No right? Idk something about the trailers gave me a more supernatural vibe (like longlegs was actually some type of evil humanoid/creature thing especially given the title of the movie) rather than religious horror. I saw somewhere that Os Perkins advertised this way this on purpose because religious horror is kind of hit or miss with people and he didn’t want to give it away in the teasers. Watching it a second time blew my mind, the detail, it was truly like playing a game and finding all the clues that I was unaware of before! Wish they made movies like this more often

[@mattvigil]

I dont know if i totally agree with this analysis. I love everything you mentioned and the way you related the events to this “faust’s journey,” pattern was extremely convincing, but i think it might be different. This movie’s arc reminds of robert egger’s Witch, or Ari Aster’s Midsommer and Hereditary . You could even argue it has the same arc as Attack on Titan. The only literary connection i can find that has a similar arc is a shakespearean/ Greek tragedy take on it; where a protagonist is subjected to extremely traumatic events where in their journey to avoid or stop these events from unfolding( particularly in attempting to thwart a prophecy of which they unknowingly fulfilling). Like Macbeth or Oedipus. While i love the occult references that reinforce a faustian perspective this to me feels more like a greek tragedy- she is the subject of a power beyond reality (fate and demonic designs are in this case similar) and is slowly recruited through extreme trauma and killing of own family.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Ooh I love those comparisons, especially to the greek tragedies! This movie is just a kaleidoscope of great influences and references.

[@erikamonteros5557]

It also reminds the tragedy of Stephen king's Carrie, and some of the Grabber, nicely played by Ethan hawke.

[@MegaRandom432]

Agreed 100%. While the Faustian angle seems intriguing it seems like a reach the deeper you go. Still a refreshing opinion though

[@boink8653]

Lee won't be arrested because her boss does kill his wife first so it's the same pattern as the previous murders, unless she is pinned to the whole longlegs and her mom working together but the movie doesn't give any clues to this possibility. I would also argue that Longlegs and her mom are more of Faust and the demon in the dolls is Mephistopheles.

[@JaedonC]

Great video! I think both Lee Harker and Cobble himself both serve as Faustus. Cobble, a wannabe 70s rockstar that makes a deal with the devil and becomes its servant, and Lee serves as the second Faustus character for all the reasons you listed. You could even say that Harkers mom is also a Faustus. There is no middle man. No Mephistopheles. Just a little bit of the devil in all of them. And they are all dragged to hell in the end. ( I know cobbles backstory is never told but you can really infer his past as a wannabe rocker from his love of early 70s rock to his guitar and amps in his basement. And his overall appearance, but I am inferring all of that)

[@chriszold9980]

Thoughts on what the mother meant by "Don't call me that!" at the end of the movie? Is it her maybe letting out her suppressed anger or hatred for Lee after years of doing the killings for her daughter's sake? Or something else? I'd like to hear what someone else thinks!

[@secondbreakfastpod]

This is so fascinating! That scene is so chaotic and stressful, I’m not sure I even caught this line. I love those theories though. Facilitating those murders must feel so at odds with her identity as a mom, signing away her freedom to protect her child. I totally buy the idea that she has to almost disassociate to live those two lives simultaneously. It also kind of explains how strange she is on the phone when Lee calls multiple times and refers to her as Mom! Fantastic comment!

[@odieodencrantz4832]

That is the demon in her talking. The whole movie is an elaborate plan of Satan using his pawns to make a bunch of people suffer over a long period of time. He even gets the person who thinks they are the hero to shoot their own mom in the head (who spent her life saving her) and kill their boss and left to answer for it in the end. Tagline of the movie should be "Satan wins!"

[@TronLennonMusic]

I think her mom is possessed as well. It's a bit like the "sunken place" in get out, where you're aware of everything that's happening, but don't have control. The demon controlling Ruth's body does not love Lee like Ruth does/did. Tbh the only reason Lee does anything in her life is souly puppeted by the devil's desires. In pure pettiness. The moment Ruth begged Longlegs to spare Lee, the devil concocted a plan to not only get what he wants still, but also punish Ruth for interfering. This why the full circle of events unfolds with the irony that the person Ruth sold her soul to protect, is the one to kill her, after she's served her purpose.

[@selena___]

I was familiar with Faust from Berlioz Damnation of Faust. The Fall of the House of the Usher TV series was also based on a Faustian tale but by contrast Roderick's bargain was never intended to spare his bloodline. Ruth on the other hand had to be an accomplice and Lee was not totally spared in that she was being controlled. Alicia had a bigger part than I thought and I thought she was fabulous. really well cast all around - great to see Blair and look foraward to see what Maika does next. thanks again for the video as I like art that is thought provoking. Shout out to the cinematographer Andres Arochi - such beautiful shots.

[@metalhausen9998]

perfectly executed 🤘 I've watched Longlegs twice as well...the second time really puts it all together & adding more concepts, thoughts, true comparisons. very well said my friend.

[@metalhausen9998]

Although...when Harker kills the family, she held back the little girl & saved her...she was an Eye witness correct? 🧐 so maby this didn't ruin her life..get locked up..? just a thought😊

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Thank you very much! And yeah, I'm left as uncertain and nervous about that ending as you are. It's such a powerful, unsettling way to complete the story.

[@lincolneads]

i really appreciate this analysis, and this isn’t intended to come off sour, but I can’t help but feel that this comparison is relatively forced upon the narrative rather than this being sub-textually there from the get go. I’m all for an analysis that isn’t necessarily intended by the creator, and/or an interpretation built around subtext, but I am just confused/curious as to what prompted you to make this comparison. Thanks.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

This is a totally fair observation. I've been a Faustus fanatic for years, studying / writing about the play through college and grad school. It's the lens that I see stories through, especially two character rivalries with constantly shifting power dynamics that flirt with the supernatural. Frankenstein is a big example here. It's been a constant point of reference for me on the show, but yes, it's absolutely a weird and particular hyper fixation! Great comment!

[@Cnb132]

I like it but I think the symbolism that is shown in the movie is what detracts it from the Faustus comparison but nonetheless a great video and I’ve subscribed for the great work

[@secondbreakfastpod]

To each their own! Thank you for the subscription, and the thoughtful comments too!

[@jesseburgener442]

Harker is essentially a dog chasing its tail. She's unaware of how deeply tied she is to the events surrounding Longlegs up until the end--and by that point, it's too late.

[@davidkite7529]

This theory is very fascinating, I loved studying Dr. Faustas in college.

[@MoGoOh]

Fantastic video. This is such a great analysis

[@psbauman]

Faustus is the mother, who makes the deal out of desperation for progeny but gradually succumbs to the goals of the “friend of a friend” behind Mephistopheles (i.e. Baphomet). As she describes, they don’t really have family or visitors and we’re never quite sure why the father isn’t in the picture. It seems to be implied that the mother might be a social pariah, who escaped an abusive situation but became cut off from social connections as a result of this. She birthed Lee in the late 60’s or early 70’s so this lines up. So they’re safe, but also isolated, and the mother’s focus is on keeping her daughter safe, with the looming knowledge that their significance and longevity is limited, and that Lee herself will eventually leave. So when she’s given the Faustian deal, it’s an opportunity to keep the ember of her daughter alive and to perhaps aspire to some twisted immortality in the face of the suffering she’s endured, with the added bonus of her daughter becoming a thrall who can never *truly* leave her. But in her immersion & saturation in the “dirty work,” much like the mop that Longlegs describes she absorbs the true nature of the task and turns toward it’s ultimate goal, toward a birth that supersedes her daughter’s. When Longlegs dies, I think she sees this as her chance to take his place, to curry more direct favor from Baphomet, and effectively cuts the psychic umbilical cord with Lee by destroying her doll. Her original goal is effectively gone now, disavowed. In her final lunge at Lee she tells her to stop calling her “Mom” because she’s either aiming toward becoming the “Father” (a vengeful twist on becoming the figure that originally tortured her) or that she considers herself a Mother of a more significant order, unattached to Lee.

[@neelyohara88]

loved hearing this. i feel like this kind of analysis is long dead and then this pops up in my feed. thank you so very much for this.

[@Squishy876]

THANK YOU! This makes it so much better because once the motive was established I lost all interest because it was so boring but this makes is better

[@shebreathesingold8043]

How do you go into this expecting Clarice vs. Hannibal Lecter when every trailer showed a Buffalo Bill type character? I'm really scratching at my head. Every time we saw a bit of the villain of the story he looked like a caricature of Buffalo Bill and in fact was based on Buffalo Bill? I don't see how any person familiar with Silence of the Lambs sees the trailer and thinks there's going to be this polished intelligent sociopath directing the lead agent like in Silence of the lambs when all we see in the trailers is Buffalo Bill replica.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Another interesting comment, thank you! I think the fact that Longlegs himself is hidden in much of the promotional material sort of blurs the lines for what kind of character we expect him to be. After seeing the film, I agree that there's more Bill than Lecter in the character, but I think the basic pitch of namedropping Silence of the Lambs on the poster and advertising A-list movie star Nicholas Cage as the bad guy is going to make people think about Anthony Hopkins, not Ted Levine.

[@kendlebeep4396]

Well, actually, while the main trailers didn't allude to any supernatural stuff, the other marketing did. The phone call, the website, a deeper analysis of their marketing arg they set up really leaned into the supernatural. It's the only reason why I ended up going to see it

[@secondbreakfastpod]

There was definitely some mixed messaging in the marketing, but overall I thought the advertising push was really engaging / exciting!

[@selena___]

Unusually I've been watching spoiler videos before I see the movie. Maybe because i don't intend to see it a second time so need to be able to spot all the layers. Thank you for the literary take.

[@AngieHarding-k5j]

So have I ...I feel quite confused already ...but am very looking forward to seeing this work of art ...

[@KingTibbs33]

Hard to beat alot of Beatles songs for greatest piece of artwork ever made

[@awesumtoast97]

Since she couldn't shoot the doll, wouldn't that mean that the girl would just be a husk now

[@secondbreakfastpod]

That's interesting. I don't believe she speaks at all during the finale -- that's an interesting ambiguity. Great catch!

[@almasakic1148]

I had the same thought because she was hugging the doll and seemed already possessed by it.

[@OrangeManGood2024]

I love rare examples of 51% ignorance 49% arrogance like this, whoever told you that sharing the effects of growing up in a house directly below power lines is not looking out for your best interests.

[@zhebanelm1755]

One thing to consider: The Blackcoat's Daughter. The devil of TBC is the same as in Longlegs. Same design, and talks to the protagonists on the phone as well. The devil in both films is operating through people to sow chaos and cause evil. Longlegs is simply an agent of the devil and is expendable once their work is complete.

[@jacobkilby3533]

I'm not sure I'd agree that Lee harker will be arrested at the end, afterall Carter had a knife in his hands and was covered in his wife's blood after he stabbed her in the kitchen, and Lee's mother also had a knife when she got shot. I think the depths as you put it was more her state of existence, afterall now she had to live after having everyone close to her dead after she inadvertently put them in the line of fire, just like the agent that got shot near the start of the film, she was technically the same as the demon killing people, she brought death wherever she went.

[@Pusher97]

I agree for so much of this, it’s a fantastic take. But they’re not gonna arrest Harker. The man murdered his wife and her mother tried to kill her. Harker is not going to jail, she’ll be commended

[@JediJuniper92]

Thank god for an intelligent breakdown. You just earned a new subscriber ❤ Edit: since we now know Longlegs’ past as a glam rock singer, hence his random singing and also his love for T. Rex and such based on photos in his room + our soundtrack, I’m also curious how much Longlegs made a “deal with the devil” for fame as an artist, but instead found fame through a different means, i.e. the murders. He created art since he’s an artist, first as a musician then as a doll maker. Possibly asking for fame or even guidance in life, a purpose, knowledge, etc. from the devil, and then ending where the movie shows us he ends up…I think it makes his character even more fascinating. Like, was he always evil, with intent to harm? Is he an influence on the Satanic Panic craze where parents were scared the devil lived in rock music and would steal their children’s souls, but was unsuccessful in that so went into doll making? (Which the latter is a random change anyway, so even how he became a doll maker / why / his inspiration, maybe doll making was his first artistic love, etc) Anyways, rant over. Absolutely love your video and excited for what you make in the future. :)

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Ooh I love that idea! It’s like those fables about genies where the moral is to read the fine print and be super specific in the wording of your wish. Thanks for the comment, and welcome aboard!

[@JediJuniper92]

@@secondbreakfastpodyess love that!

[@DogmeatDied989]

Here’s a half formed thought( a veritable Quasimodo); long legs is some kind of hellish cuckoo bird. A cuckoo bird will hide its own eggs in the nest that doesn’t belong to it. The cuckoo bird will hatch shove the other babies out of the nest, and the mother bird winds up raising the cuckoo. Long legs visits houses with children and presents the family with a homunculus of their child. Later in the movie, we discover Kiernan Shipka’s doll hidden in the floorboards of a loft. And that’s when Kieran‘s character supposedly regains consciousness. Almost like a bird hatching.

[@AaronJuddMusic]

Listening to the director talk about the role of long legs I’m not sure he had this mephistopheles vision you speak of. That being said, art does tend to echo symbolism and your parallels are fun.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Hey thanks! I'm not sure what exactly he had in mind either -- but I've always believed in the idea that art stops solely belonging to the artist once it is released into the world. We all see things through our own lenses, and that's the magic of it!

[@PastramiSalami666]

I think she gets off because it’s pretty clear the detective killed his family and she stopped him. Her mother being involved in the murders makes things more complicated but undoubtedly, there’s room for a sequel.

[@iRenz0]

If I had a nickel for every Faustus I’ve heard…

[@existential69]

Demons body hopping is a very common theme in horror movies nowadays but idk maybe it always has been 😈

[@diegomedina4145]

“It’s pronounced Memphis, Tennessee.”

[@mr.terrible7415]

She's not going to get arrested. Forensics will easily be able to determine that the father was the one who murdered the wife. This murder also perfectly matches the modus operandi of all the other murders where a father murdered his other family members. She'll also be able to explain that mother was acting as cobbles accomplice when she shows them the basement of her mother's home. She'll be okay in a legal sense however she's going to have to live with what's happened for the rest of her life, however long that is. Gunshot residue and DNA and fingerprints on the shotgun will also determine that the mother is the one who killed the female agent at the house as well. Of course the police are not going to believe any devil worshiping Supernatural explanation, but they will most likely use some psychological explanation of induced psychosis or maybe they'll suppose that there was some kind of larger Cult at work

[@Saffron-sugar]

I also saw a lot of correlation to an unholy Trinity with the inverted triangle. The triangle being the symbol of the trinity father, son, Holy Spirit (the Holy Spirit often depicted as female). I agree there is a lot of Faust the movie. Forgive me, but I think you might be reaching a bit to make it fit? None of the seven people who took the “bargain“ from Longlegs got anything like 24 years of pleasure from it. They were immediately put into hellish service and, following that, actual hell.

[@redisthecoolestcolour]

Random thought: Isn't murder punishable by 25 to life in Oregan? That (almost) ties in with the Faustian bargain of 24 years.

[@julieithinkthatsmyname]

This is such an interesting analysis. Definitely gonna check out the play sometime.

[@DouglasBull-rk6tv]

I heard the director say you can look at in different ways like he set this up for this ending as a daughter kills her mother

[@ricardoantoniotorreslopez1718]

I just have one bight question. What happened to all the other dolls from the other murders?

[@spoongootjoo]

i really enjoyed this movie and want to watch it again. after watching it last night i gotta kinda agree that the reveal from the mother reminded me of saw and i don’t know how i feel about it. maybe because it is recent to me and i haven’t had much time to process everything but i feel like they could’ve stretched the last act a little more. i both feel like they revealed too much and too little with how the demonic “magic” works. after nic cage is gone, the horror and suspense of the movie didn’t quite land as it did at the start. i just wish the mother explaining everything was done without the narration and went into more in depth of her going through with it. i still definitely enjoyed the movie and i think this video offers some very interesting points i will keep in mind for my next viewing.

[@shebreathesingold8043]

Why would they arrest Lee when she can easily explain that it was her mother who was behind everything. Given that Longlegs himself pointed at the mother during an interrogation that was documented by law enforcement itself, this doesn't seem like a stretch. Meanwhile, there would be evidence that her superior stabbed his wife in the kitchen (literally blood splatter DNA would show he was the aggressor), which would explain why she shot him. Not to mention, the pattern of murders was FATHER kills family. If she somehow said her superior tried to kill his family as part of a cult, which her mother and others were a part of, this wouldn't seem farfetched, especially that in this world the FBI apparently believes in clairvoyancy and gives out tests to their agents. I can't see them believing in psychic abilities but not cults. lol Lastly, she clearly saves the little girl. I don't see how you interpret that ending - logically - as Lee is on her way to being arrested.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

First off, I love the level of time and thought you put into these comments, thank you so much for engaging with the episode so rigorously. I think you make good points here, that serve the (gloriously) miserable ambiguity at the end of the story. I think Lee could try to explain it all away as being her boss' fault / the work of a cult, but I'm not sure how successful that would with the higher ups, and even then, I think you could make the case that by having to be part of that horrific finale and do what she did, Lee is thrust into her own personal hell that she might never escape from.

[@odieodencrantz4832]

@@secondbreakfastpod The personal hell she will now live in is exactly what Satan had planned the whole time. Longlegs is the story of Satan making a whole bunch of people suffer greatly and in terrible ways (like the "hero" at the end killing the mom that tried to save her).

[@sandrawadsworth5173]

Enjoyed the movie. Was more of a Thriller movie than a Horror movie though.

[@CrazyKoenie]

360 pixels. You spoil us 😂

[@HEAVYHEARTSMUSIC]

I think these kinds of readings (which is very well thought out, tyvm for posting this) only works when writer/directors make some effort to keep their intentions to themselves, which I encourage (Peele for example, as much as I dislike the blatant symbolism in every little thing, I admire his approach towards press by mostly not outright saying "here's what this means, here's what that means"). Oz unfortunately has been spilling left and right, and I feel like the framework, or lock, he's written here just happens to fit the key you've crafted. I'm keen to rewatch though, as the aesthetics and cinematography is undeniable, but this film was really betrayed by its marketing imo, at least on initial viewing.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

I really appreciate this perspective, as far as artist's not over-explaining their work -- and I'm glad to hear that someone else was thrown during their first viewing. Thanks for the comment!

[@MrEdward2408]

Wow this is deep. I saw this movie twice and I like it alot better a 2nd viewing

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Hey me too! I've found myself feeling that way a lot this year, particularly with Dune: Part Two and Furiosa.

[@spyrebel7612]

I also did a lot of Marlowe studying in school. I think some of the assumptions aren't correct. 1) I don't think her life is over afterwards. They would see the boss killed the wife and the girl was a witness. 2) I think if anything Longlegs (Nic Cage) is more of a faust character than Lee. He's said to be a former glam rocker, I think he is doing all of this as his debt for his soul and his glam rock life. I don't believe Lee to be a Faust character at all. She does not make a deal. I think her connection is solely because her mother sold her soul. That doll held her captive. I did enjoy the video though. I'll check out more Faust content.

[@Garrettguy5]

She’s definitely not getting arrested at the end. She’s on an arc to be a possible leader politically. The daughter survived to continue the curse

[@l3arnf0x]

Hard disagree on Harker going to jail. There is significant evidence that her boss stabbed his wife and charges her after doing so. The same with the mother who attacks with a knife. The mother killing the other agent with the shotgun will also have physical evidence associated with it. She solved the case, and saved the girl.

[@rayo146-x8x]

mephisto confirmed?

[@secondbreakfastpod]

Loved seeing him in Deadpool & Wolverine

[@dylanhuntly3517]

This was a really enjoyable video to watch, I’m currently writing a video about the Australian breakdancer Raygun with the framework of white liberalism and the Faustian bargain.

[@margaritaandthemasters]

Umm, I read and love Christopher Marlowe too. You found a new follower/ subscriber/ friend in me.

[@joshuadav10]

Did…did anyone actually think long legs was Satan?

[@888Pungy]

Love the movie, I've only seen it once. I tend to do most of my analysis after a second viewing, especially with something as heavy/deep as longlegs Just wanted to say i just found your channel and theres some great content to be found. I especially love how active you are in the comments, its always nice to see a content creator interact with their audience!

[@CakesTv1337]

He makes good sandals

[@gloriamrales-king8606]

Why would she be arrested? The FBI will know that her supervisor murdered his wife and that she was defending herself and the little girl. I don't think she WILL be arrested. I interrogated, FOR SURE! An IA investigation, ABSOLUTELY! But, not arrested.

[@KabbaVArtAndDesign]

11:02 I don’t know if I agree here. Ultimately she’s a cop so there’s a level of immunity at play. Plus her boss murdered his wife in the kitchen before coming at her. She can absolutely argue he was trying to kill her and she acted in self defense. Mom had a knife too so there’s grounds there as well. Even if she brought up they were “possessed” I’m sure it would be taken as hyperbole. She’s and that daughter are gonna need a fk ton of therapy lol but I don’t think she’s going to jail for this.

[@kentjensen4504]

Suggested name change for your channel: Beauty of Horror

[@matthewtewey84]

Love the analysis! I have to disagree with your assessment of the ending or the aftermath of the ending. I don’t think she gets arrested. There would be no physical evidence that she killed the wife, the evidence would at the very least support her story that the wife was murdered by the husband and that Lee killed him in self defense.

[@buttonman6262]

It’s a lot like The Shining in terms of types of shots it uses.

[@demontwink]

i love literary analysis but the Faust comparison seems like a stretch. you spent this whole video basically explaining how it’s different from Faust. i don’t think it’s Faust framing or Dracula framing. it’s Longlegs framing.

[@secondbreakfastpod]

To each their own! Our other video about Longlegs plays with some other interesting lenses that the film can be viewed through. Thanks for watching!

[@t1ll316]

Guess the Faust we know is a bit different. Anyway, I remember studying the original in German highschool and sat next to a homie who was rather less intellectually gifted and a huge Dunning-Kruger case, who said: „Such a sht book, I didnt understand ANYTHING“ dude was always so melodramatic about stuff like this and just delusional about many many topics. Imo this is still so funny especially considering the standing and reputational status this work has in German literary history and will forever have.

[@Joethesensei]

It also makes sense that a female Faustus would be younger and reluctant, as women have adulthood thrust upon them through menstruation, whereas males have to go out and find it. A Joseph Campbell take on it perhaps.

[@annmiesoso]

I have a different theory. What If lee is not Faust but Gretchen? The mother is Faust and has a deal with Mephisto and Gretchen/Lee is the one who gets involved and commits sin. In the Play Gretchen gets pregnant by Faust and drowns herself. Lee gets involved and doesn't now how to Help herself other than kill/commit sin. What If the movie is a alternative Version of Faust where Gretchen is "the final Girl" ?

[@Lauren-rb1jr]

Okay sooo glad I found your channel, amazing analysis! Saw this last night and was slightly underwhelmed leaving the cinema but since then it’s really grown on me! Are you excited for Nosferatu this winter? 😃

[@elizohs]

Isn’t that the guy from Infinite Warfare Zombies😮😮😮

[@zachswaffield]

We got a mephisto movie before gta 6

[@secondbreakfastpod]

This comment made me laugh, nicely done!

[@ubahfly5409]

People should watch "The Blackcoat's Daughter" before they see this. They're connected.

[@chocolatewolfe]

Longlegs got nothing out of a deal with the devil, no fame, fortune or long life?

[@odieodencrantz4832]

He may have believed (or been told by Satan) that he would be rewarded in the afterlife. He turned himself in willingly as if it were part of the whole plan. Nothing in the movie was NOT part of Satan's plan/doing.

[@lissy2000us]

Her mom made the deal. Wouldn’t she be Faustus?