Longlegs Movie Marketing Campaign Proves Its Terrifying Impact with Heart-Pounding Evidence

Horror is a dynamic genre, encompassing everything from grimy slashers made for pure entertainment to introspective explorations of human nature. A horror film’s identity is largely defined by its tone and the promise of the fear it delivers. But how does a marketer convey this tone and ensure the audience expects real scares? The answer lies in demonstrating it directly—by strapping a heart monitor to your star.

The marketing campaign for the crime thriller “Longlegs” has been building momentum over the past six months, reaching a peak as the film’s release approaches. Teasers have hinted at the supernatural mystery and highlighted Nicolas Cage as the enigmatic Longlegs. To maintain intrigue, Cage’s face has been deliberately kept out of all promotional materials, sparking curiosity about his appearance in the final film. Yet, the marketers wanted to guarantee his performance would truly terrify viewers.

To showcase the impact of Cage’s presence on an actor’s anxiety, the team attached a heart monitor to star Maika Monroe’s chest during her first scene with the killer. In the promotional spot, Monroe enters a room and hears Cage speak to her. His face is obscured by a black box to enhance the mystery, while the sound of Monroe’s pounding heartbeat is audible throughout the interaction. The spot concludes with two striking facts:

“Maika’s resting heart rate is 76 BPM. In this scene, it hit 170 BPM.”

This tells you everything you need to know.