We’re working our way toward Halloween–yes, it’s only mid-July, but I can basically see October from here–and I’m currently writing the sequel to The Silent Forest and finishing that trilogy, so what better way to get back into the Halloween mood than a terrifying trilogy from Ti West?
(That being said, I can’t review the last one, MaXXXine, until I see it in theaters or wait, and it might be a little bit.)
So this week, I’m reviewing X, and then next week I’ll hit the prequel-but-released-later, titled Pearl. But I watched this one first, and honestly, the order you watch them probably affects how much you enjoy each one. But there’s a lot to get to, so let’s move on.
Good
Right away, this movie makes its influences known. Texas Chainsaw Massacre first comes to mind, but a terrifyingly new and fresh version of the gore-filled farmhouse trope. Like you might expect from that genre, there’s a lot of drug use, even more sex, so if that’s off-putting to you then consider yourself warned.
Underneath all of that and involving some of it, this is a really interesting story, more than you might expect from a slasher film. Besides the setting —I’m a sucker for anything set in the 70s when it’s done this well— the cast does phenomenal work and every single one of them puts in a career-defining performance. I didn’t even realize Jenna Ortega was in this movie, but it’s one of my favorite performances I’ve seen from her, and Mia Goth is undeniably perfect for this role.
Although it starts slow, this is an excellent mix of body horror, character drama, creepy old Texas farmer, GATORS!, and more. A villain you feel bad for and even shed a tear for? Some morally-gray good guys? It’s got everything. Clearly, this movie tries to transcend the slasher genre and for the most part it succeeds.
Bad
Mia Goth carries the movie and makes up for occasional, underwhelming writing and a few weird plot choices. As far as the plot goes, X seems like it moves in 20 minute increments. First, a slow start, then one of my favorite 20 minute segments ever, followed by another 20 where… nothing really happens. Some singing. Some dancing.
This movie is weirdly potent and does it at weird times. Certain parts really hit home. It deals with aging, love, sex, and grief, especially regret, and then things get really dark. As you might expect, there’s some gore, and things get a little out-of-hand real fast. Some might find it too extreme a couple of times, but hey, you can fast forward if you really want to.
While this movie wants to be more than just a horror movie, clearly aiming for “something better,” it doesn’t quite succeed. For a while, it toes that line of transcending, but it ultimately falls into some of the same pitfalls. To be fair, it does so stylishly, impressively, but it strays into cliche territory all the same.
Overall
Overall; a slow burning, modern-sexy Texas Chainsaw Massacre but with a lot of heart, plenty of sadness, and characters that really stick in your head beyond the traditional slasher film tropes.
Another fair question–who asked? I don’t care!–Where does this film rank as far as A24 horror movies go? While I haven’t seen every movie (imagine that…) and I haven’t reviewed all of these, one made my Best of 2010’s post. Here’s my ranking for what I’ve seen:
1. Midsommar
2. Hereditary
3. Bodies, Bodies, Bodies
4. X
5. The Witch
6. Pearl (Review)
7. It Comes At Night
Want to see soon: I Saw The TV Glow and Talk To Me
David Kummer 