Nowadays you’ll have a your typical horror movie, but then every now and then you’ll have an A24 horror movie and that’s where things really get more interesting. No disrespect to the more mainstream horror movies from other studios like Warner Bros., Blumhouse, New Line or others because there certainly have been great horror pictures that they produced whether it’s The Conjuring, IT or even something like A Quiet Place, but when A24 puts out a horror movie, not only are they terrifying but they elevate the genre and push the boundaries on what it’s potential can be. A24 is no little studio, but in comparison to other studios their considered to be almost like an independent film studio, despite having much bigger budgets than an average independent film. However you want to look at it, A24 is the king at making subversive and eccentric horror movies whether it’s The Witch, Hereditary, It Comes at Night, The Monster or Midsommar, there’s something so unique and original about how they approach the genre. Obviously, A24 is known for just making horror movies but it’s something that they will be remembered more of than some of the other great movies they make.
Not to say all other horror movies should strive to be what A24 does, but it certainly would help and their most recent horror extravaganza X definitely helps that case. X is a unique, hilarious, gruesome and fresh spin on the slasher genre. It offers a familiar formula, but with Ti West’s crisp and authentic direction, the movie is able to operate on a variety of cylinders. It builds and builds by taking us back to an old school style of filmmaking with a terrific production design and a stunning color palette, to a brutal and gut wrenching horror finale. The performances are fantastic, but Mia Goth in particular is the best aspect of the movie.
Set in the year 1979, X focuses on a group of young filmmakers who are set out to make an adult film somewhere in the great state of Texas. When they find the perfect location to make their movie, things get disrupted when their elderly and secluded hosts catch them in the act, which ends up being a fight for their lives.
It’s great when a movie can be set in the 1950s, 1960s or the in this case the 1970s, and actually feel like it was made during that time in history. Obviously, filmmaking today has different and more advanced tactics with technology and what not. But for a movie to be made today but making it look like it was shot from a particular time period is really an impressive accomplishment. X looks and acts as a movie that was pulled from the year 1979. Having this movie set in the 1970s felt like a beautiful call back to films such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre, by capturing the grimness and almost the vile nature of this location and the characters themselves. So many of Ti West’s direction felt very much in the vein of the slasher flicks from the 70s based on the color palette and narrative structure. It might look cruel and ruthless from a visual perspective, it’s beautifully authentic and rich in that regard.
The movies biggest weakness, however, isn’t really much of an issue but more of a slight nit pick and that’s the first two acts feel a lot weaker than the third act, which is when the movie escalates to complete bonkers territory. However, the movie gradually builds to its climax very well and despite it opening with how the movie ends, it still pulls the rug from underneath you and leaves you with a lot of surprises that you wouldn’t see coming as the movie progresses. What we get in the movie is what every slasher flick requires; blood, guts, more gore and sex and when it comes to that, X delivers on that magnificently.
The performances from the entire cast are all exceptional. It’s hard to believe that this is Mia Goth’s first movie where she’s the main lead because she’s usually great as a supporting character, but she excels as the main character in this movie. She’s got a dirty side, given her profession, but she’s likable and a bit more serious minded than some might give her credit for. She adds more heart to the movie, which will definitely surprise people. Jenna Ortega, who’s starting to be on everyone’s radar ever since her role in this years Scream, is damn good in this. Brittany Snow and even Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi himself) were fantastic as characters playing adult film actors, that amazingly capture the over the top nature of their work but also shift into very realistic and effective characters. Martin Henderson might have been the best part of the movie, other than Mia Goth. He provides a great sense exuberance, comedic relief and kind of the movie’s spirit considering its erotic nature.
Filmmakers like James Wan, Mike Flanagan and Jordan Peele might be the best at making the better mainstream horror movies but A24 might the best studio that makes horror movies. Whenever you bring on filmmakers like Robert Eggers, Ari Aster and in this case Ti West on an A24 project, you’re going to get something noteworthy. X continues that notion of A24 going beyond what any horror movie can be and it continues to make the genre healthier.
My grade for X: A-
Zane's take at the Cinema's 