The Metacritic rating for Longlegs is a 77 Metascore, which indicates “generally favorable reviews” from professional film critics. This score reflects the aggregate judgment of dozens of professional reviewers who evaluated director Osgood Perkins’ supernatural horror film when it premiered in July 2024.
A Metascore of 77 places Longlegs in a middle-to-upper tier of critical reception, suggesting the film succeeded in several areas while not achieving the near-universal acclaim reserved for films scoring above 80.
- Metacritic Rating Longlegs: Table of Contents
- HOW DOES LONGLEGS' 77 METASCORE RANK AMONG HORROR FILMS?
- WHAT THE 77 METASCORE REVEALS ABOUT CRITICAL CONSENSUS
- WHAT CRITICS SAID ABOUT LONGLEGS
- COMPARING THE METASCORE TO AUDIENCE RATINGS AND USER RESPONSES
- LIMITATIONS OF USING THE METASCORE AS YOUR ONLY GUIDE
- LONGLEGS IN THE CONTEXT OF OSGOOD PERKINS' FILMOGRAPHY
- WHAT THE METASCORE PREDICTS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE
- Conclusion
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Understanding what a 77 means requires context within the Metacritic rating system. This is notably higher than typical horror films released directly to streaming platforms, which often fall into the 40-60 range, yet it’s considerably lower than prestige horror films like Hereditary or Get Out that scored in the 80s.
The score indicates that critics found genuine merit in Longlegs, even if they identified notable flaws or limitations that prevented it from reaching broader acclaim.
Table of Contents
- HOW DOES LONGLEGS’ 77 METASCORE RANK AMONG HORROR FILMS?
- WHAT THE 77 METASCORE REVEALS ABOUT CRITICAL CONSENSUS
- WHAT CRITICS SAID ABOUT LONGLEGS
- COMPARING THE METASCORE TO AUDIENCE RATINGS AND USER RESPONSES
- LIMITATIONS OF USING THE METASCORE AS YOUR ONLY GUIDE
- LONGLEGS IN THE CONTEXT OF OSGOOD PERKINS’ FILMOGRAPHY
- WHAT THE METASCORE PREDICTS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE
- Conclusion
HOW DOES LONGLEGS’ 77 METASCORE RANK AMONG HORROR FILMS?
A Metascore of 77 places Longlegs firmly above the critical median for contemporary horror films. To put this in perspective, A quiet place scored 71, It Follows scored 82, and Insidious scored 62.
Longlegs outperformed mainstream horror franchises but fell short of the generational standout films that dominate “best horror movies” conversations. The 77 score reflects what critics appreciated about Osgood Perkins’ direction and the film’s atmosphere-building approach to psychological horror.
The score also indicates that Longlegs avoided the critical traps that often catch genre films. Rather than being dismissed as mere exploitation or scare-mongering, critics recognized legitimate craft in the film’s construction. However, the score’s position below 80 suggests that reviewers identified specific areas where the film didn’t fully execute.
Some critics likely questioned whether the final act delivered on the atmospheric promise of the opening, a common criticism for horror films that emphasize dread over resolution.
WHAT THE 77 METASCORE REVEALS ABOUT CRITICAL CONSENSUS
Metacritic’s 77 score means that approximately 70-75% of reviews were positive, with the remainder offering mixed or negative assessments. This isn’t unanimous praise, which is a critical limitation to understand.
A film with a 77 will have some reviewer calling it flawed, others calling it effective, and potentially a significant minority questioning whether it works at all. Unlike a 90+ score where skeptical reviews are outliers, a 77 score reflects genuine critical division about the film’s merits.
One important warning: a Metascore of 77 can mask significant disagreement among critics about what aspects of the film succeeded or failed. One critic might praise the cinematography but fault the pacing; another might call the plot predictable but admire the lead performance.
The aggregated number itself doesn’t reveal these competing judgments, which is why reading individual reviews alongside the Metascore provides more complete information.
If you’re considering whether to watch Longlegs based on critical reception, the 77 should tell you the film has genuine strengths, but checking actual reviews will help you determine if those strengths align with your preferences.
WHAT CRITICS SAID ABOUT LONGLEGS
The critical consensus around Longlegs’ 77 score centered on Osgood Perkins’ directorial craft and the film’s willingness to prioritize atmosphere and psychological tension over jump scares. Multiple reviewers noted that the film creates genuine unease through its visual composition, sound design, and the unsettling presence of the Longlegs character itself.
The performances, particularly the lead, were frequently cited as compelling reasons to watch despite narrative reservations critics held. Where critics diverged significantly was on whether the narrative payoff justified the atmospheric buildup.
Some reviewers felt the story earned its deliberate pacing and claustrophobic tone. Others argued that the second and third acts didn’t sufficiently capitalize on the unease established in the opening sequences. This split explains why the 77 score sits at “generally favorable” rather than climbing into the “acclaimed” territory above 80.
The film succeeded strongly enough that most critics recommended it, but not strongly enough to overcome reservations about narrative execution in critics’ final verdicts.
COMPARING THE METASCORE TO AUDIENCE RATINGS AND USER RESPONSES
Metacritic includes both the critic Metascore and a User Score compiled from viewer ratings. Understanding the relationship between these numbers is essential context. If the User Score significantly differs from the 77 Metascore, it indicates that audiences responded differently than critics did.
Some films score higher with viewers than critics (suggesting broader entertainment value than critical prestige), while others score higher with critics (suggesting artistic merit that casual audiences find less compelling). The distinction matters because a film can be “well-reviewed by critics” while still being divisive in audience response.
A viewer who typically trusts critical consensus might arrive expecting one experience and encounter another. Checking both the Metascore and User Score on Longlegs provides a more complete picture of what different groups of viewers found valuable about the film.
LIMITATIONS OF USING THE METASCORE AS YOUR ONLY GUIDE
One significant limitation of any single numerical rating, including Longlegs’ 77, is that it compresses diverse critical perspectives into a single number.
A 77 tells you the film has merit but doesn’t distinguish between a critic calling it “very good” and a critic calling it “acceptable with reservations.” The Metascore is useful as a quick quality indicator, but it cannot capture nuance about what kind of film Longlegs is or whether it aligns with individual preferences.
Additionally, warning: the presence of a score like 77 can create false precision.
Metacritic’s algorithm involves judgment calls about which reviews to include, how to weight different publications, and how to convert qualitative assessments into numerical scores. The difference between a 77 and a 75 might reflect genuine critical reception, or it might reflect algorithmic choices that have little bearing on the actual viewing experience.
For decisions about whether to invest your time in Longlegs, checking the critical consensus is valuable, but pairing that with reading 2-3 full reviews relevant to your tastes provides better guidance than relying on the number alone.
LONGLEGS IN THE CONTEXT OF OSGOOD PERKINS’ FILMOGRAPHY
Osgood Perkins has established a consistent directorial voice centered on psychological horror and atmospheric tension. His previous work, The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Longlegs, both emphasize unsettling mood and character-driven narratives over conventional scares.
Critics evaluating Longlegs at a 77 were assessing not just an individual film but also how it compares to Perkins’ established body of work. This context helps explain why a film that might be considered a solid genre entry received particular critical respect.
The 77 score reflects critics recognizing that Perkins had craft and intention behind his directorial choices, even when they questioned whether every choice served the narrative.
WHAT THE METASCORE PREDICTS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE
A Metascore of 77 for Longlegs is a reasonably strong predictor that you’ll find the film competently made and likely to hold your interest, though not guaranteed to provide the experience you hope for.
If you typically enjoy atmospheric horror over action-driven scares, and if you appreciate films that take time building dread, the critical consensus at 77 suggests you have a solid chance of enjoying the film.
If you prefer plot-driven narratives with quick resolutions, or if you find slow-burn horror frustrating, the same 77 might signal potential disappointment despite critical approval.
The forward-looking value of Longlegs’ Metascore is that it positions the film as a meaningful addition to contemporary horror cinema without overstating its achievements. In several years, when horror critics and audiences assess which 2024 releases have lasting impact, the 77 score suggests Longlegs will be remembered as a solid, well-crafted entry—respected but not revolutionary.
This positioning often proves accurate; films in the 75-80 Metascore range frequently develop loyal fanbases while remaining critically discussable rather than unanimously celebrated.
Conclusion
The Metacritic rating of 77 for Longlegs communicates that professional critics found genuine merit in Osgood Perkins’ horror film, recognizing his directorial craft and the film’s atmospheric strengths while acknowledging narrative or execution limitations that prevented higher consensus.
This score places Longlegs clearly above typical genre releases, indicating it’s a film worth serious consideration by horror enthusiasts and film appreciation audiences, even if it doesn’t reach the universal acclaim status of the format’s most celebrated works.
When considering whether to watch Longlegs, the 77 Metascore is most useful as a starting point rather than a final verdict.
It suggests the film succeeds frequently enough to warrant viewing, but recognizing that critical consensus isn’t unanimous will help you engage with Longlegs on its own terms rather than against potentially inflated expectations set by a higher score.
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