X - Review

 

Every few years it feels like another genre gets a defining film from seemingly out of the blue. Sci-fi, action, drama, comedy, etc., and it makes sense. Given that more and more filmmakers are going into the genres they loved when growing up, of course they’re going to have new ideas and ways to spice things up. But sometimes the best solution is to just go for the tried and true, the simple and creepy, the old and the young.

“X”, the new film from Ti West (“The House of the Devil,” “In a Valley of Violence”), is never specific about where it takes its title from, but suffice it to say that its likely from the old X rating, given to horror films that were so graphic they were considered obscene (like the original “The Evil Dead,” and “A Clockwork Orange” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2”) or to pornography released in theatres back when that was a thing that used to happen. Because if there’s one thing “X” clearly takes inspiration from, it's films from both those camps.

Set in 1979 Texas, the film follows a group of 20 somethings; Maxine, played by Mia Goth (“A Cure for Wellness,” “Suspiria (2018)”), Lorraine, played by Jenna Ortega (“Scream (2022),” “The Fallout”), Wayne, played by Martin Henderson (“The Strangers: Prey at Night,” “Everest”), Jackson, played by Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi), Bobby-Lynne, played by Brittany Snow (“Pitch Perfect,” “American Dreams”), and RJ, played by Owen Campbell (“The Americans,” “The Miseducation of Cameron Post”), who all decide to travel to rural Texas and rent a cabin from an old farmer, played by Stephen Ure (“Hounds,” “Mortal Engines”), and shoot a pornographic film in it unbeknownst to him and his wife, also played by Goth.

The younger cast is so excellent in their fantastic delivery of the material. It’s a blend between the cheesy style of acting from classic horror films of the 70s, without ever sacrificing actual depth and development as the film progresses. It’s the kind of delivery and writing that makes it hurt when they die, making each kill hit a bit more given that you actually want them to survive. Goth and Ortega in particular are continuing to establish themselves as the new young faces of horror, and if their careers continue with roles as inspired as this, they could easily find themselves mentioned alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and other scream queen royalty.

Stephen Ure is less exciting, if for no other reason than the fact that, compared to his wife, he feels resoundingly one note. Its clear that there’s more going on that just being a murderous old man, but it never really hits like it does with his wife. She, on the other hand, is played with a quiet menace and pain by Goth. Done up in pounds of prosthesis, you’d be hard pressed to notice that they’re the same actress at all, and Goth is fantastic in both roles.

Being a low budget horror film, there’s plenty of gruesome gore around every turn, but the very deliberate use of it brings up one of the film’s biggest strong points. West is clearly trying to play the overt titillation of the porn elements against the overt torture of the horror elements to great effect. It’s a fun kind of juxtaposition, playing the character’s moans against their groans in extremely smart ways. It lends itself to amusing moments, to sad moments, and gut wrenching moments throughout.

This might not be surprising to anyone familiar with A24, but there are plenty of conversations to be had throughout about the nature of dirty films, consent, and religion. However, it also means that by the time the third act comes and the blood really starts flowing, those conversations go away. It's frustrating because the film clearly wants to say something and is so strong in what it does say, either verbal or visually, that it becomes almost disappointing when it remembers that its a slasher film and that all of that has to be put on pause, resulting in a third act that ends up being the least interesting part of the film.

But that’s not to say that “X” isn’t fun. It manages to craft a tale of horror and heart, making you feel for each death and ponder each question. It's hard to say if anyone could make a horror film like this that succeeds in both the conversations and the bloodshed, but Ti West gets about as close as anyone likely could with only a few caveats. Really, the entire cast is the film’s best aspect, as they effortlessly sell the horror and the humor and the heart. It’s titillation and torture, the best of both worlds. What’s not to enjoy? 3.5/5