X is exciting, impressive, bloody, uncomfortable, and a fantastic homage to grindhouse horror movies. Bring on the prequals!
It was the first A24 movie of the festival for me and MAN what a movie this one was. X truly sinks its teeth into you and really never lets you go. After my initial viewing of the movie, I continue to sit there and think about why X might be one of my favorites of 2022 but as well this is the best film that premiered at SXSW yet.
No one can prepare you for the new A24 Horror Movie X. A Throwback to old school Grindhouse and Video Nasties. The movie clearly has influences from those and Texas chainsaw Massacre but with a lot of sex and surprisingly deeper themes about what sex/attraction is to all sorts of generations. That is where X hooked me into its deeper loop upon thinking on the film more.
The movie starts one way and going in I had heard the news that they had already filmed a prequel movie and were planning a sequel. This had me intrigued to see what direction could possibly take us to even want these. While this review will contain no spoilers I can say the direction that they left open from both points of view has me intrigued and sold on the concept of exploring some characters and the world a bit more.
X is a clever horror movie that is more than just an homage when you look past the mask that is there. Ti west really created a unique horror movie that will not be for everyone but if you let it grab hold of you and take you on the journey that is set up it will be worth your time. As the movie’s pacing takes about an hour to even get to any of the killings that you expect in a horror movie. The first two acts aren’t just a meandering setup it’s really an overview look at setting up the uncomfortable and disgusting twists that you see in the back half.
While I personally would have made some choices to cut out certain scenes I found myself intrigued thinking back that the build-up still works for what it is. Plus The performances are literally out of this world. The show stopper who also is assisting with the Prequel movie is Mia Goth. An actress who continues to bring a diverse amount of roles to her filmography and continues to impress me.
Playing two different characters in X One being Maxine the other being an elderly lady Pearl — and trust me YOU WILL NOT EVEN KNOW SHE IS PLAYING THE ELDERLY LADY. The practical effects on display here are incredible. But Goth has the hardest performances as both characters are connected by a certain piece that is truly unique to see. Jenna Ortega as well showcases her talents and being a standout scream girl.
Her career in horror is fantastic and there is one shot of her in here where she sees a disgusting thing, but she made that moment all so more creepy. The rest of the cast from Brittany Snow, Kid Cudi, and Martin Henderson all contain such charismatic and impressive performances that you end up really enjoying your time with all these characters before the craziness ensues.
PLUS Ti West’s editing and the way he was able to bring the tension to each and every scene was special and honestly downright impressive. It has some of the best editing I have seen in a horror movie in quite a long time.
As for cons the only two things that I think hold this movie back is again the pacing of the movie does take its time to where you will feel you are waiting for something to happen — PLUS the tonal shifts the movie takes could annoy some as the movie again I felt had some deeper themes that were great to dive into but I feel a rewrite or two could have made for a stronger piece.
Other than that X really is exciting, impressive, bloody, uncomfortable, and a fantastic homage to grindhouse horror movies. Bring on the Prequels and the Sequels because X is a fantastic horror movie that only becomes more awesome the more you think about it. With fascinating performances, An amazing editing style, and some practical effects that I am still thinking about. X truly is the Best Horror Movie of 2022 so far and it will be hard to beat.
Grade: B+
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About X
In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in a secluded farmhouse in rural Texas. Their reclusive, elderly hosts take a special interest in their young guests and, as night falls in, the couple’s leering interest takes a violent turn.
