PHOTO © NEON

One review quote appearing in ads for “Longlegs” calls it the best serial-killer flick since “Silence of the Lambs.” While that’s a slight exaggeration (that relies on a nebulous subgenre qualification), it’s easy to see why that movie was invoked; from the hardscrabble yet beautiful settings to a Clarice-esque performance from Maika Monroe, “Longlegs” seems determined to recall the 1991 classic.

The new film, however, crosses the line from human terror to supernatural fears. Written and directed by Osgood Perkins — the actor and filmmaker is the eldest son of Anthony Perkins — “Longlegs” never hides that there are otherworldly (or underworldly) forces at play, beginning with FBI Special Agent Lee Harker (Monroe) discovering that she has psychic abilities.

A no-nonsense superior (Blair Underwood) notices Harker’s abilities and assigns her to investigate a killer named Longlegs, who has left Zodiac-esque notes at a slew of crime scenes but does not appear to have ever actually murdered anyone. We only catch glimpses of the madman — played with grinning, flailing menace by Nicolas Cage — for most of the running time, as the script follows a circuitous path to bring our hero and villain together.

Undoubtedly, the script stumbles — or, rather, it ties itself up. Even within a supernatural context, the film adds a dozen unnecessary detours and spooky flourishes to get where it’s going; a lot of time is spent on terrifying dolls that serve as little more than demonic text messages.

If the script falls short of the mark, the direction far exceeds it. Perkins proves virtuosic in his ability to conjure dread and menace; you don’t fear a jump scare, you fear the sudden intrusion of mind-quaking horror. I can’t imagine watching “Longlegs” alone at night; see it in the theater, where the promise of well-lit hallways can keep you from getting lost in fear.

My Rating: 7/10

“Longlegs” is now playing in theaters.