Longlegs' titular serial killer and FBI agent Lee Harker recieve a surprising animated reimaging in the art style of the 80’sBeetlejuiceanimated series by artist DuGMcFuG. The 2024 horror thriller written and directed by Osgood Perkins stars Maika Monroe as an FBI agent who is drawn into a case centered on an occultist serial killer with chilling ties to her past. Upon release,Longlegswas praised as an unsettling tale packed with horrifying imagery and incredibly memorable performances from Monroe and Nicholas Cage, who takes on the role of the movie’s killer.
WhileLonglegsandBeetlejuiceare vastly different entries in the horror genre,DuGMcFuGhas brought the two properties together in a surprising blend on Twitter. Drawn in response to Jacob Davidson’s pitch, the artist has taken theart style of theBeetlejuiceanimated series, and reimagined Harker and Longlegs as characters within the show’s world.
Taking inspiration from the designs of Lydia Deetz and Betelgeuse from the animated series specifically, Harker is merged with the former, and Longlegs is merged with the latter. In the piece, Harker is the more shaken and unnerved character, while the killer is confident.
What We Know About Longlegsand Beetlejuice’sSimilar 2024 Receptions
Both Movies Left An Impact On 2024
Despite their differences,one thingLonglegsandBeetlejuicedo have in common is how they have achieved incredible success in 2024. Alongside its critical success,Longlegswas also able to have an incredible box-officeon a budget estimated to be less than ten million dollars, grossing over one hundred and eight million globally. With this impressive haul, distribution Neon found their highest-grossing movie to date, as well asLonglegsbecoming the highest-grossing independent movie of 2024.
Meanwhile, Betelgeuse returned to the big screen withBeetlejuice Beetlejuice,the long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s 1986 horror comedy to primarily positive praise from critics and viewers. Within three weeks of release, its one hundred-million budget was met, hasgrossed over $335 millionfrom its international box office. As such, bothLonglegsandBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceare two of 2024’s most notable movie success stories.
Our Thoughts onLonglegs' Surprise Animated Reimagining
Some Parallels Can Be Found Between Each Cast
While in the originalBeetlejuiceandBeetlejuice BeetlejuicemadeLydia and Betelgeuse’s relationship more romantic, the animated television series takes a much different approach to the pair. Rather than a one-sided romantic bond,Lydia and Betelgeuse are friendswho engage in supernatural misadventures together in a format more toned down for young audiences. And while the truth is far more twisted, there are slim parallels between this dynamic and Harker and Longlegs.
As revealed as she dived deeper into the case,Lee met Longlegs as a child, her mother Ruth (Alicia Witt) becoming his reluctant accomplice and allowing him to stay in their basement to spare her daughter’s life. Alongside her unique supernatural talents, Lee has a longstanding connection to Longlegs, giving them close ties even though those memories of hers were repressed. As such, DuGMcFuG’s art is a twistedBeetlejuicereimagining of theLonglegspair that is somewhat fitting.
Longlegs
Cast
Longlegs is a horror thriller film by writer-director Osgood Perkins. When FBI agent Lee Harker is assigned to a serial killer cold case, their investigation leads them down a rabbit hole riddled with disturbing discoveries and the occult at the center of it all. When the trail of evidence reveals a personal connection, it becomes a race against time to prevent another murder.
Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice is an animated television series inspired by Tim Burton’s 1988 film. The show follows the misadventures of Lydia Deetz, a gothic teenage girl, and her mischievous ghost friend, Beetlejuice, in the Neitherworld and on Earth. Voiced by Stephen Ouimette, Beetlejuice’s chaotic antics and Lydia’s resourcefulness create a unique blend of comedy and fantasy. The series aired from 1989 to 1991, garnering critical acclaim for its inventive storytelling and distinctive animation style.
