Nicolas Cage's 'Longlegs' Nightmare: Co-Stars Terrified

Horror movies may be terrifying for viewers, but on set, they're often less so. Frightening characters are just co-workers, pools of blood are clearly fake, and unsettling darkness is neutralized by crew members and cameras.

Beyond Nicolas Cage's frightening character, the movie Longlegs is unsettling throughout. Writer-director Osgood Perkins describes it as a horror movie mixtape with various scary elements.

Star Maika Monroe said the set wasn't scary, but Perkins built anticipation for Cage's character's reveal, making it intense for her.

For months, the team behind Longlegs released tantalizing details about the horror movie without revealing Cage's full appearance.

When Monroe first saw him, her microphone recorded her heart rate increasing from 76 to 170 beats per minute.

Perkins wanted to keep Monroe from seeing Cage in full costume until the cameras were rolling.

A viral billboard for the film featured a phone number that played a recording of Cage's creepy voice.

Other social media posts shared coded messages from the Zodiac-esque serial killer Longlegs, played by Cage, never showing his entire face.

Monroe plays an FBI agent trying to catch the serial killer.

Alicia Witt plays Monroe's reclusive mother, who constantly asks her daughter about her prayers.

Witt emphasized the importance of self-protection when playing roles with dark aspects.

Longlegs stands out from other horror releases due to its secrecy about the plot.

Perkins credits the film's distributor, Neon, for this decision.

Monroe's brother described Cage's voice as a sick puppy.