I have unabashedly touted my love for horror and slashers over the years. Whether it be the brilliance of John Carpenter films to the B-level horror classics of the ’70s and ’80s to the most recent wave of prestige horror, I am one of horror’s most prominent defenders.
Despite being most profitable for studios, to some, slasher films are considered one of the most overused sub-genres in horror. Early successes for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th inspired a barrage of films over the ’80s and early ’90s, including The Prowler, April Fool’s Day, and Sleepaway Camp, that ultimately culminated with the reimagining of the genre with 1996’s Scream.
Horror soon transitioned from a “remake” era in the early aughts to what it is today – “elevated horror” like Jordan Peele’s Get Out. Original and innovative slasher films have yet to be found in this decade that is until Ti West’s X.
X takes cinephiles back to 1979 as a group of aspiring filmmakers are on a journey to make their adult film with the hopes and dreams that their movie, The Farmer’s Daughter, will launch them into superstardom. Wayne, the film’s producer, rents a house from an elderly couple in Texas to secretly shoot their movie. Accompanying Wayne are the stars of the film Maxine, Bobby-Lynne, and Jackson, while director RJ and his girlfriend Lorraine join the crew with dreams of turning this adult film into a cinematic experience for all. While things start as planned, things turn as the sun sets with transpiring events that would make Texas’ Leatherface proud.
West’s direction and screenplay give X a breathe of fresh air in the genre. West effectively creates a level of unpredictability missing from recent slasher films. With over 25 years of horror fandom, it’s not difficult to predict where most of these films end up. But, West takes his time to get there. Spending the first 45 minutes of the movie getting to know its characters, X is given a lived-in feeling that removes the concept of disposable characters that often plague these slasher films. When the bodies start falling, you care, and that’s a credit to West.
X’s originality also stems from its villain. Outside of 1980’s Friday the 13th, the villains/killers in these films more often than not follow a familiar trope. However, West’s choice to have his villain be an elderly female breaks tradition within the genre and adds a layer to her character, which dives into the concepts of waisted life, love and how one handles aging. Despite the transpiring events, a certain level of sadness is evoked from the audience for X’s antagonist.
X’s ensemble is dynamite. Led by Mia Goth, the crew exudes a level of charisma that adds to this group’s believability to be in the same room together. So often, slasher films put together an assortment of personalities leaning into the suspension of disbelief that this group would be close-knit; however, X gives reason for all parties to be in the room where it happens. Jenna Ortega’s breakout year continues with yet another stellar performance while Brittany Snow is electric throughout, especially with her knock-out cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide.
The cinephile in me adored Owen Campbell’s cinema-loving portrayal as RJ. With one of the funniest moments in the film, RJ reveals his goal for the film, which had my screening chuckling. Martin Henderson’s Wayne steps out of a 1970’s grindhouse film with a charm and confidence that makes it hard to root against, while Kid Cudi shows that he’s not just one of the best artists working today, but a natural as an actor.
Eliot Rockett’s cinematography is stunning. Rockett gives life to Texas and its scenery. With homages to the stair scene in Tobe Hopper’s 1974 classic and Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, Rockett’s lens honors horror past with his palette. Complementing the tension and fear in the film is Tyler Bates’s score. While scarce, as the film has killer needle drops of 1970’s songs, Bates’s score is downright frightening.
X takes every expectation walking in and slashes right through them. X is a fitting tribute to the B-horror and slashers of yesteryear while providing a visceral examination of sexuality, youth, and the fear of aging. A triumphant victory for the horror genre, incorporating its themes with the guts and gore of horror past.
