Synopsis
X is set in 1979 and revolves around a group of filmmakers in their early twenties who travel to a remote Texas farmhouse to shoot an adult film titled The Farm’s Daughters. The cast includes Maxine Minx, the waitress-turned-actress and Wayne’s girlfriend, who also works as the film’s producer. RJ the director, Lorraine the sound engineer, and Bobby-Lynne and Jackson the actors complete the crew for the film. The couple running a guest house, Howard and Pearl, rent out a stay at their home without understanding the type of filming that goes on in their house.
The work towards the film is begun by the crew, and the calm atmosphere is very much illusory since there are numerous issues still unreleased. Maxine, the performer of the film, is deadset in the belief that this film will be the gateway to many doors opening in her life and turning her into a household name. Determined RJ, the director is hell-bent on winning an award, and undertakes numerous sophisticating steps to use adult cinema as the gateway. An achievement that the crew would be fauning trumpets about.
But unfortunately, as it often occurs, nobody takes into account the things that will go wrong. The first changes begin when Pearl makes her grand entrance into the picture, together with her overly protective husband folk hero turn of Howard.
What follows is a dramatic, suspenseful drop into horror as the film’s cast is methodically slaughtered one by one. The motives of the protagonists are not simply driven by crazed insanity, but rather heartache, jealousy, and a deep-seeded fear of becoming irrelevant and growing old. Determined to outlive the situation and chase her goals, Maxine must confront her would-be murderers, but not before re-evaluating the resemblance she shares with Pearl.
Roles And Acting
Mia Goth Cast as Maxine Minx / Pearl
Mia Goth gives a stunning dual portrayal of Maxine, an adult film actress, and Pearl, a senescent woman consumed with her bygone youth. Adding complexity to the film from a psychological perspective, blending the two characters from different ages is a brilliant casting choice. As Maxine, Goth embodies a character full of determination, while as Pearl, she captures a woman going through the end stage of life filled with solitude, desperation, and decay. The transformation into Pearl through heavy prosthetics is bone chilling yet very convincing.
Jenna Ortega as Lorraine
Ortega plays the initially timid Lorraine who captivates audiences as a sound technician. While on the trip, Ortega undergoes a personal transformation. The way she changes from being a passive bystander to a more active role in the film within the film and amidst the chaos is commendable. Her character arc is enhanced by the change in her state of action. Balancing innocence is emerging boldness, her performance dramatically enhances the character.
Bobby-Lynne played by Brittany Snow
Bobby-Lynne, an unapologetic and self-assured adult film actress, is brought to life by Snow’s charisma and confidence. She adds levity to the role and her tragic end serves the film’s darker metaphor about the youth and desire’s ephemeral qualities.
Jackson Hole played by Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi)
As an adult film actor and Vietnam veteran, Jackson is both a physically imposing man and an emotionally complex one. He offers glimpses of tenderness that are impactful against the hard exterior.
Wayne played by Martin Henderson
Wayne is Maxine’s boyfriend and the archetypal hustler, porn producer-turned wannabe actor. Henderson gives him oversimplified charm and arrogance to embody the 1970s epitome of a dreamer who views pornography as a sideline business distinct from his primary aspirations.
Themes and Symbolism
Besides being a blood-splattered slasher film, X incorporates several themes such as grappling with aging, invisibility, and society’s obsession with youth and beauty. Pearl’s jealousy toward Maxine is not merely about vanity; it concerns a life unlived, aspirations unmet, and a discordant body that no longer represents the emotions locked within.
The movie also integrates the intricacies surrounding sexual liberation. Considering the American culture at the time, X accepts autonomy on the part of the characters and does not impose the typical moralistic boundaries found in conventional horror movies. The young filmmakers are given creative freedom and allowed to explore themes around their sexuality, and it is not considered a liability. Rather, it is those who oppress or are scared of the sexuality that inflict harm.
Religious symbols frequently appear in the film, especially in relation to Maxine’s character, with her father being a televangelist who features in television sets. This combination embodies the dichotomy of purity alongside desire, heaven against hell, which defines the amount of restraint and control on freedom: terrorizing forces and forces of freedom which is a key motivation for both Maxine and Pearl, but send the two in opposite directions toward freedom.
Visual Style and Direction
Director Ti West is renowned in the independent horror film scene, and X is his take on nostalgic 70’s cinema. Both the aesthetics and narrative align with low quality grind-house 70’s cinema’s vintage appeal. Appreciated long takes, wind down pacing, and dimly lit mood set a solemn atmosphere reminiscent of older films such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, both of which share contemporary style and setting.
West uses ‘suspenseful dread’ to foreshadow and edit in certain ways. Unlike jump scares, the split screen sequences, slow zooms, and strategic silence are much more effective tools for building suspense. The counterpoint between the adult film’s tacky superficiality and the actual gruesome events that occur behind the camera is astonishing. It delves into the performative nature of personas and what lies underneath these facades.
The violence is saved until the climax, and when it finally erupts, the impact is jaw dropping. While both brutal and shocking, the violence is not gratuitous. Because of the progressive build up throughout the film, every emotionally fueled kill feels like it is uniquely crafted and contributes to the overall sense of tragedy and hopelessness the film evokes.
Reception and Legacy
Previously overshadowed by its contemporaries, X sprung to life after debuting. It was heavily criticized for Mia Goth’s distinct performances, stylized editing, and bold storytelling. Similarly to the acclaimed Hereditary and Get Out, X was lauded for what felt like a revival of character-driven, contemplative horror that blended slasher sensibilities with artistry. Reviews and audiences were quick to absorb X’s take on horror, relishing slashers with its distinct voice.
The success of X motivated both A24 and Ti West to develop the story into a trilogy. The sequel Pearl explores the backstory of the elderly antagonist and will be released in late 2022, while MaXXXine will follow the character Maxine’s journey in Hollywood after her survival in the 2024 release.
Conclusion
X is a remarkable addition to modern horror films, blending classic elements of the genre with fresh and innovative approaches. The film, with its multi-dimensional themes, stylish direction, and especially memorable performances (minimal only to Mia Goth), transforms the slasher genre into a more sophisticated examination of the interplay between aging, desire, and the dark underbelly of the American dream. It’s simultaneously unnerving and reflective, demonstrating that horror has the potential to entertain while disturbing us and confronting us with difficult truths that truly deserve contemplation.
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