- 1Movie Overview
- 2Direction & Cinematography
- 3Cast & Performances
- 4Character Psychology
- 5Themes & Emotional Depth
- 6Memorable Scenes & Dialogue
- 7The Ending — Does It Deliver?
- 8What Works
- 9Honest Criticism
- 10How It Compares
- 11Legacy & Cultural Impact
- 12Behind the Scenes
- 13Who Should Watch It?
- 14Final Verdict
Movie Overview
It's 1979, and Maxine (Mia Goth) is chasing her dream. Along with her boyfriend Wayne (Martin Henderson) and a ragtag crew including porn director RJ (Owen Campbell) and his girlfriend Lorraine (Jenna Ortega), she's set her sights on making a dirty movie. They rent a remote farmhouse in Texas, thinking they've found the perfect location. But things get weird fast. Their elderly hosts, Howard and Pearl, seem harmless at first, but there's something deeply unsettling about the way Pearl watches Maxine. The tension builds slowly, then erupts in a series of grisly murders. What starts as a story about ambition and exploitation becomes a fight for survival. That final act is pure chaos — and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Direction & Cinematography
Ti West approaches X like it's a lost film from the 70s. The grainy visuals, the slow pans across rural Texas — it all feels authentic. But he also knows when to lean into modern horror tropes. The scene where Lorraine discovers something disturbing in the barn is a masterclass in tension. What struck me most was how West lets the camera linger on mundane details, making the violence feel even more shocking when it arrives. But he doesn't always stick the landing. The third act feels a bit rushed, and some of the kills lack the creativity of earlier scenes. Still, there's a confidence here that's hard to ignore.
Cast & Performances
Mia Goth carries X on her shoulders, and she's fantastic. There's a scene where Maxine looks at herself in the mirror, silently judging her own beauty — it's subtle, but it tells you everything about her insecurities. Jenna Ortega, meanwhile, brings a quiet determination to Lorraine. Her terror feels real, especially during the barn sequence. Kid Cudi as Jackson is fine, but his character doesn't get much to do beyond look cool and smoke cigarettes. Brittany Snow as Bobby-Lynne is the standout surprise, injecting humor and vulnerability into what could've been a one-note role.
Character Psychology
Maxine wants fame and validation — she sees the porn shoot as her ticket to stardom. But what she really needs is to confront her own fears about aging and irrelevance. Pearl, the elderly woman who becomes their tormentor, serves as a dark mirror for Maxine's anxieties. Neither woman gets the transformation they crave, and that's the point. Tragedy isn't always redemptive.
Themes & Emotional Depth
At its core, X is about the terror of growing old in a culture obsessed with youth. Pearl's violent jealousy of Maxine isn't just random — it's a reflection of how society pits women against each other based on their ages. The film also explores the tension between ambition and exploitation. These characters are chasing their dreams, but at what cost?
Memorable Scenes & Dialogue
The barn scene is unforgettable — Lorraine's discovery of a gruesome secret is shot in almost complete silence, making the reveal even more horrifying. Another standout is Maxine's mirror moment, where she silently assesses her worth. But the best scene is Pearl's unhinged monologue about her lost youth. It's equal parts tragic and terrifying.
The Ending — Does It Deliver?
The ending feels earned, if not entirely surprising. West lays the groundwork early for Pearl's descent into madness, so when she finally snaps, it makes sense. What surprised me most was how bleak the final moments are. There's no triumphant escape here — just survival, and even that feels hollow. The last shot lingers on Maxine, and you can't help but wonder if she's learned anything.
What Works
Mia Goth's performance is the heart of the film, and she nails both Maxine's ambition and Pearl's desperation. The cinematography is gorgeous, especially the wide shots of the Texas landscape. The kills are inventive without being gratuitous, and the 70s aesthetic feels authentic. The barn scene is a standout moment of tension, and Pearl's monologue is genuinely chilling.
Honest Criticism
Kid Cudi's Jackson is underdeveloped — he feels like an afterthought in the script. The third act loses some of the slow-burn tension that makes the first two acts so effective. The themes about aging and exploitation are interesting, but the film doesn't delve as deeply into them as it could have.
How It Compares
X owes a lot to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but it's smarter about its exploitation elements. It also shares DNA with Ti West's own The House of the Devil, though it's more graphic and less atmospheric. Where X falls short is in its character development — films like Hereditary or Midsommar dig deeper into their characters' psyches.
Legacy & Cultural Impact
X performed decently at the box office, grossing $14 million against a $1 million budget. It received generally positive reviews, with praise for Goth's performance and West's direction. The film also sparked a prequel, Pearl, released the same year. While it didn't start any major cultural conversations, it cemented Ti West as a director to watch in the horror genre.
Behind the Scenes
Mia Goth plays dual roles in X — she's both Maxine and Pearl, thanks to heavy prosthetics. The farmhouse set was built from scratch to mimic 70s Texas architecture. A sequel was already in production before X hit theaters.
Who Should Watch It?
Horror fans who appreciate a slow burn will love X, especially if they're into 70s exploitation films. Viewers who dislike graphic violence or find sexual content uncomfortable should steer clear.
Final Verdict
X is a smart, stylish homage to 70s horror that doesn't skimp on the thrills. While it falters in the third act, the strong performances and sharp direction make it worth watching. If you're a fan of Ti West's previous work or just love a good slasher with something to say, give it a shot. But be warned: this isn't your typical popcorn horror flick.
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