In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast finds themselves fighting for their lives.
“X” is the latest film by director Ti West. Mark Kermode describes “X” as “Texas Chainsaw meets Boogie Nights,” with a logline like that, it is hard not to be excited, if not curious.
The opening shot appears in the 4:3 aspect ratio, only for the camera to pan forward, revealing it is merely a door frame. This subtle camera trick is an apt metaphor for the movie as a whole. A modernized throwback to slasher movies of the ’70s like “Halloween” and the aforementioned “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” The film opens in a scene of chaos, a rural house with cop cars surrounding it. Something terrible has happened in this house, with little clues that can be understood only later in the film scattered through the opening scene. Cut to 24 hours earlier. We meet a group of six filmmakers on their way to the ominous farmhouse to shoot a porn film without the owners’ knowledge. Given the film’s first scene, we are not expecting this to go particularly well.
The star of this movie is undoubtedly Mia Goth, who gives two stellar performances as Maxine Minx, the standoffish adult film actress who will be a star no matter what stands in her way, and Pearl, the eerie elderly owner of the farmhouse along with her husband. Goth is unrecognizable as Pearl, and I only discovered after the film that she played two parts. The rest of the film crew includes two more adult performers, one of whom is played by Kid Cudi, the film’s shady producer, the director/cameraman who is convinced he is making art and not porn, and a young boom mic operator who is equally disgusted and fascinated by this strange new world.
There is a treat in store for fans of the slasher horror subgenre. The kills are both humorous and gory while being refreshingly creative. This problem has plagued the genre in the past, as there are only so many ways Jason or Freddie can slice and hack their way through people before it becomes repetitive. The characters are interesting, and the interpersonal dynamics and conflicts make them feel like human beings with goals and ambitions rather than walking targets.
With a backdrop of 1970s southern conservatism, the film comments on the restrictive attitudes towards sex and violence at the time through the presence of a ranting televangelist preacher throughout the movie. It also deals with the pain associated with aging, physically and mentally, and the aching nostalgia associated with lost youth.
“X” is a fantastic film that is a cut above most horrors being released today. It is at times hilarious and, at times, very disturbing. A modern take on the much-beloved slasher genre that is both unexpected and extremely welcome in today’s jump scare-ridden world. If you are a fan of this one, stay past the end credits. There may be more to come…
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