Effective Marketing of Horror Films

Promoting horror films is an art form in itself, and throughout cinematic history, we’ve seen exceptional marketing campaigns for movies like The Exorcist, The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, and Smile. In 2024, another strong campaign has emerged for the promotion of Longlegs, Nicolas Cage’s enigmatic new serial killer movie.

Neon, the studio behind the movie, has built the marketing campaign around the element of mystery. The release of eerie teaser trailers and images has left audiences in the dark, not providing any explicit insight into the movie, but leaving a discomforting impression.

The teaser images and videos revolve around a family being preyed upon by an occult killer who intrudes into their homes. Additionally, there are glimpses of FBI agents unearthing something, a nun in a blood-soaked habit, and a woman menacingly pointing a knife at her own abdomen. This presentation is disquieting, peculiar, and leaves viewers contemplating its connection to the movie.

At a time when most movie trailers divulge the entire plot in just a few minutes, the trailers for Longlegs purposefully maintain an air of ambiguity. Instead, they focus solely on evoking an unsettling ambiance. This tactic effectively paints a chilling picture of the movie and is likely to draw in horror enthusiasts to the theaters.

Regarding the plot, it appears to follow a serial killer operating over several years, given the references to crimes spanning from 1974 to at least 1992 in the teasers. The movie stars Maika Monroe (It Follows) as an FBI agent investigating these crimes, and Nicolas Cage’s role in the film, possibly as the killer, remains uncertain.

Longlegs is helmed by Osgood Perkins, known for his distinct brand of dark and brooding horror, as seen in films like Gretel & Hansel and The Blackcoat’s Daughter.

Longlegs is set to hit theaters sometime this year.