A Disturbing, Uncomfortable Horror
Have you ever watched a horror so disturbing, so uncomfortable, that it gets stuck in your head for the next 25 hours and you feel like you need a shower to at least feel clean after watching it? That’s exactly how I felt after watching X. Ti West directs this raunchy yet extremely dark and deep horror that takes inspiration from ’70s porn and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (I can see you scratching your head right now and I don’t blame you). X is, simply put, one of the more unnerving films you can possibly watch this year (not unlike A24 have pushed out world shocking films like Midsommar and Hereditary). It’s a horror unlike any other, its creative decisions are very much fleshed out throughout, and its imagery and use of violence and graphic content certainly add more than just a shock factor (or rather, X-Factor) to the film.
One Messed up Horror Picture
Set in 1979, adult movie actors and a small film crew arrive at a farmhouse occupied by an elderly couple in the desolate Texas countryside to film an adult movie. As the day shifts to night, the visitors slowly realise that they are not safe, and are being targeted by the owners, killing them off one by one.
The story is simplistic enough to understand but complex enough in its themes revolving around acceptance, religion, age, sex, the adult industry – there’s a lot going on in so little time. It’s quite linear in the way it is told, but mix that with some very cleverly done cinematography that’s reminiscent of VHS style films and you have yourself a very nostalgic horror picture.
They did a really good job with the horror. The consistent sense of fear was really well done, mainly because of the amazing cinematography on show. When the killing actually begins, it has a lot of gore and some well-timed jump scares. I thought it was unique how they involved porn in the horror – I thought it was creative and something I haven’t seen before.
X (2022)
Sex, Sun and Slaughter
As the younger generation gets more comfortable with ideologies and information surrounding sex, porn and everything in between, Ti West includes a hell of a lot of it in their film. Is the sex the messed up part? Not exactly. Yes, there are some spicy scenes from the first half but it’s when it involves the old couple, especially Pearl, that it becomes more… Unsettling (like seeing two blood-covered wrinkly old people getting at it kind of unsettling).
Its slasher formula isn’t anything particularly new or special, but it does call for some nice nods to all the old school killers like Jason, Leatherface, Michael, Ghostface, etc. And whilst our killers, an elderly couple who have lived at the barn since 1917, are not the most frightening people in the world, it’s their intentions, actions, and overall roles in this film that make their appearances that much more great. The farmhouse setting will never get old – it’s a horror movie template for all the best films out there. Mixing in shooting a snuff film with some more than fancy film equipment, however, certainly adds a little flavour and direction to why the film is set there – and not just gormless teens camping and drinking.
Lights, Camera, Axe!
The acting across the board was great. This film had Jenna Ortega, who is becoming more and more of a well-known actress, and she shows why in this film. Mia Goth did a great job as well, along with Martin Henderson, Brittany Snow and Kid Cudi (aka Scott Mescudi). It helps that the characters are written well and likeable.
Despite the sleazy material they’re attempting to create, they don’t feel shallow or sleazy themselves. They believe in their work and the reasons for making it. While it may have been nice to get a little more depth out of them, they clearly have history and there are things hinted at that never get much development. They’re at least a decent crowd of folks who are fun to be around.
The gore is magnificently horrifying, as an A24 movie should be. You think you know where the kill is about to go then bam, it goes the opposite direction completely. Pitchforks, rusty knives, freaking alligators – it’s a bloodbath. The squirty blood, practical and CGI effects and the drastically long kill scenes really bring out the love for good old slasher nonsense that this generation needs.
X (2022)
My Overall Thoughts on X (2022)
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and was impressed by how much it reminded me of classic slashers. It has a really well done slow burn where during the first half you get introduced to these characters while somehow getting a creepy feeling throughout. Then the second half rolls around and the horror truly begins. It’s gory, it’s graphic, and it’s gonna be another iconic slasher film in years to come.
Fancy more film reviews? How about another horror? Check out my article on the newest instalment in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise from Netflix! Or perhaps you want recommendations on a film not to watch? Then definitely read my review on Moonfall (spoilers: the film is literally that… Moon-fall, that’s it).
