Synopsis:
X is a 2022 slasher horror film written and directed by Ti West. While the story takes place in 1979, the film itself is an ode to the grindhouse horror movies of the 70s and 80’s. X is a modern addition to the horror genre because of its nostalgic elements mixed with brutal violence, captivating visual style, social commentary, and undertones of nostalgia blended with subversion.
The movie mbegins with a group of aspiring filmmakers heading to a Texas suburb to shoot an adult film. The cast includes aspiring model and star Maxine Minx (Mia Goth), soon to be ex husband and producer Wayne (Martin Henderson), Director RJ (Owen Campbell) with his girlfriend and boom operator Lorraine (Jenna Ortega), and Bobby-Lynne (Brittany Snow) and Jackson Hole (Kid Cudi) as supporting cast. The couple rents a cottage owned by an elderly couple, Howard and Pearl, who are later revealed to be Goth wearing heavy prosthetics. This dual role becomes central to the film’s themes.
What starts as a bid to exploit the emerging adult film market following the timely sexual revolution quickly transforms into a herculean nightmare. As the group goes about filming, they are completely unaware of Pearl’s existence—a waning star with an insatiable need for affection and youth, seething with possessiveness and hatred. The younger group’s unrestrained sexuality compounds her resentment toward the relentless march of time, inflaming her suppressed longings. What starts from attending to their alive obsession escalates into blood-soaked attacks.
Pearl, along with her frail but equally dangerous husband Howard, picks off the crew members one by one. The violence is graphic, deliberate, and methodical; Ti West adapts classic slasher elements alongside his distinct, artistic vision. The rural voyeuristic setting and the clash of generational conservatism and liberalism all produce an environment of unnerving tension that simmers before erupting.
Pearl’s imaginary world crumbles when her defined “first victim,” the bloodied and battered yet somehow alive Maxine, dauntlessly rescues herself. And while this utter obliteration and destruction of an ideal feminine figure survive is not merely physical, a lifestyle shift is indeed birthed—symbolizing a cultural shift mark of a new world in opposition to the decaying world of Pearl. But, her resolve solidifies as she stays declaring to herself that she will no longer be bound to the farm and its horrific realities.
Mia Goth as Maxine Minx / Pearl: Goth gives remarkable dual performance in the film. Maxine is a character who captures the essence of ambition and resilience of youth. Pearl, the character she plays later, is a tragic villain — simultaneously horrifying and pitiable. Goth’s change into Pearl is assisted by extensive prosthetics; moreover, her intense and layered performance depicting sadness under the brutality goes beyond the sadness around the character.
Martin Henderson as Wayne: The hustling producer who considers adult films to be the new frontier of independent cinema. He comes off as both charming and pragmatic. However, he is consumed by his own goals.
Brittany Snow as Bobby-Lynne: An adult performer who shamelessly embraces her sexuality. Snow endows the character with a powerful charm that serves as a stark contrast to the repressive environment.
Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi) as Jackson Hole: Contrasting with the chaos around him, a Vietnam veteran and performer, Jackson brings much needed moments of quiet contemplation. The embodiment of principles gives his character surprising depth.
Jenna Ortega as Lorraine: A rather shy and conservative character at the start of the film, Lorraine goes on a remarkable journey throughout. The change is striking in the backdrop of violence, along with a critique of societal expectations of women.
Owen Campbell as RJ – The dreamy director who perceives the adult film as an opportunity to create “art.” His disenchantment sets in rather quickly when he grapples with the limits of his power and the true horrors of the film.
Stephen Ure as Howard – Pearl’s aged husband who helps her with the murders. Both a nurse and an accomplice, he enables Pearl’s spiral descent into obsessive homicide.
Direction & Style:
Slow-burn horror aficionado Ti West (The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers) approaches his work on X with his signature meticulousness. West imitates the 70s with grungy—and grainy—film textures, zoom-heavy cinematography, and period-accurate design that immerses the viewer in the era.
West doesn’t simply replicate the style—he employs it to condemn and reinterpret the values of the period. The camera hovers voyeuristically, challenging the viewer to reflect on their appetites for violence and sexuality. The editing is tight, with distinctive cuts and pacing that effectively amplify tension.
X also features a nostalgic and haunting musical score comprised of ominous originals and 70s classics, further enriching the film’s atmosphere.
Themes:
X analyzes many deeper themes in addition to its slasher thrills:
Fear of aging and loss of beauty – Pearl’s psychosis is deeply rooted in her desire for youth and feeling of beauty. Her jealousy is aimed not only to the younger women’s beauty but also their sexual liberty.
The performative nature of identity – The film crew are always actively in character as porn stars, filmmakers, and even in their personal lives. This is reflective of Pearl’s shattered identity and her struggle to embody a version of herself she once recognized.
The evolution of underlying popular American morality – Taking place at the start of the Reagan era, the film embodies the free love and open mindset of the 70s versus the conservative, suffocating attitudes that Pearl represents.
Voyeurism and exploitation – The film critiques the role of the voyeur within the work, both in the narrative (Pearl watching the adult film) and within the audience watching the film.
Critical Reception & IMDb Rating:
With an IMDb rating of 6.6 out of 10 in the year 2024, it suggests that the audience viewed “X” positively. Alongside the attention-grabbing performances, especially Mia Goth’s noteworthy dual role, reviewers applauded Ti West’s deft direction and the film’s homage and originality balance. Many praised the motion picture as a thematic rich subtext slasher film that offered more than mere gore.
The first half proved too excruciatingly slow for some viewers unacquainted with West’s pacing, alongside those anticipating a traditional horror film; however, most others felt the promise of an unrelenting second half was worth the wait.
The astounding success of the film incited the swift production of a prequel entitled Pearl starring Mia Goth, along with a slated sequel, MaXXXine, which routed X as the inaugural segment of a trilogy exploring horor through varying cinematic techniques.
Conclusion:
Undoubtedly “X” is a stylish, hyper-violent horror film that goes beyond its slasher essence. Its 70s tribute alongside reimagined ideas , period-specific aesthetics, complex characters, social commentary, “X”, is an enigma for horror lovers. West molds an entertaining and a thought-provoking film complemented by Goth’s breathtaking performance.
This film isn’t just about blood and screaming, rather it explores themes like the process of getting older, desire, ambition and the terrifying reality of yearning for something that no longer exists. Fans of the more sophisticated sub-genres of horror, deconstruction or slasher films will find X to be very impactful and haunting even well after the movie is over.
Watch Free Movies on Gomovies