X

X is a good throwback slasher with a bit of modern horror and erotic elements. This film is genuinely nerve racking and unsettling in all the best ways. Ti West and Studio A24 knocks it out of the park with this one! What starts as a simple plot of a group of film makers trying to film "a good dirty movie" quickly takes a turn for the worst as the old couple who owns the farm they're filming on discover what they are up to and start taking them down one by one. If you're a fan of the classic Halloween or Texas Chainsaw Massacre this may be the movie for you!

The cast of this movie is stellar and full of potential in future horror flicks. Mia Goth is a great lead actress. Jenna Ortega has become somewhat of a "Scream Queen" recently, adding many horror films to her repertoire. Kid Cudi was a surprisingly good addition and I hope to see more of him in future projects. Brittany Snow takes a rapid turn from her Pitch Perfect persona. Finally Martin Henderson gave a great southern cowboy type style of acting.

Setting the film in 1979 rural Texas on an old farm gives off a lot of Texas Chainsaw vibes. The old couple very quickly are shown to be the unsettling part of the film. The whole movie takes place in a 24 hour period. It starts with a flash forward to the morning after the slaughter with the cops investigating. We don't know who's been killed but it soon after flashes back to 24 hours prior. Since the film is about them making a film, we see many shots through the old camera they use to make their movie which gives off a nostalgic feel for the era.

The plot of this movie seems overly simple but it's anything but. This film has more depth than I expected for a slasher film. What starts as a group of young film makers and strippers going to a farm to make a "Good dirty movie" quickly devolves into a horror show. The way the film starts as essentially a porn shoot and then rapidly shifts gears to the horror film it's meant to be gives off a Psycho kind of whiplash effect halfway through. The film relies on suspense and foreshadowing for all of its shocking moments. I was on the edge of my seat from start to end. The film isn't as much scary as it is unsettling.

Overall I personally really enjoyed this film! I will give this film a 9/10. This movie had me on the edge of my seat and uses suspense to do so. You can see a lot of things set up early on that gets paid off later but you have to pay attention for some. Stay to the very end of the credits so you don't miss the sneaky little post credit scene the director made after shooting the film.