Director Oz Perkins has always been a fan of the Seventies glam-rock band T. Rex, but it wasn’t until he started working on his latest horror film, “Longlegs,” that his obsession truly took hold. The film, which stars Nicolas Cage, has been making waves as one of the scariest movies of the year, and Perkins credits T. Rex for inspiring the film’s eerie vibe.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Perkins revealed that he had been listening to T. Rex’s music on repeat while writing the script for “Longlegs.” He was drawn to the band’s unique blend of glam rock and psychedelic folk, and found that their music perfectly captured the mood he wanted to create for the film.
“I was really drawn to the way T. Rex’s music had this dark, almost otherworldly quality to it,” Perkins explained. “It was like nothing I had ever heard before, and it really spoke to me as I was developing the story for ‘Longlegs.'”
The film follows the story of a family who moves into a secluded farmhouse, only to discover that it is haunted by a mysterious presence. As the family’s patriarch, played by Cage, becomes increasingly obsessed with the haunting, the film takes on a surreal and unsettling tone, much like T. Rex’s music.
Perkins also drew inspiration from T. Rex’s frontman, Marc Bolan, who had a larger-than-life persona and a unique sense of style. “Bolan was such a fascinating figure, with his glittery outfits and his larger-than-life stage presence,” Perkins said. “I wanted to capture that same sense of mystique and allure in the character of Longlegs, the entity that haunts the family in the film.”
The use of T. Rex’s music in the film adds an extra layer of eeriness, as the band’s songs are woven into the narrative in unexpected ways. “I wanted the music to feel like it was a character in the film, almost like it was speaking to the audience,” Perkins said. “T. Rex’s music has this hypnotic quality that really adds to the overall atmosphere of the film.”
As “Longlegs” continues to garner praise for its chilling and unique take on the horror genre, it’s clear that T. Rex’s influence played a major role in its success. Perkins’ obsession with the band has paid off, creating a truly haunting and unforgettable film experience.
