X (An Exclusive Series Special)

Initial release date: March 18, 2022

Studios: A24/Little Lamb/Mad Solar Productions

Tagline: Dying To Show You A Good Time

Plot: In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast find themselves fighting for their lives.

Cast

Mia Goth - Maxine/Pearl

Jenna Ortega - Lorraine

Brittany Snow - Bobby-Lynne

Kid Cudi - Jackson

Martin Henderson - Wayne

Owen Campbell - RJ

Stephen Ure - Howard

James Gaylyn - Sheriff Dentler

Matthew J. Saville - Officer Mitchell

Writer/director: Ti West (Pearl)

Rated R for strong bloody violence and gore, strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language (105 minutes)

Today, I reviewed the latest horror flick from A24, entitled 'Pearl,' which is an origin story of the crazed woman in 'X.' And since I have never seen the movie, I figured I'd rent it and check it out before reviewing 'Pearl.'

'X' is an eerie horror flick that leaves you at the very edge of your seat, especially when the scares start up majorly in the second half of the movie. This is a fresh and somewhat original concept for a slasher/horror movie.

This is the first year I have been checking out movies released by small indie studio A24. Honestly, they are one of the best indie studios out there and will be checking out more A24 releases down the road.

'X' can also be quite unpredictable and suspenseful which is rare for the horror genre.

This A24 release currently isn't streaming on any platform. You can rent it online through Google Play, Redbox, Vudu, YouTube and Amazon Prime.

Here are some interesting tidbits for 'X':

• The title of the film refers to the X rating used by the MPAA from 1968 to 1990, which indicated that a film was only suitable for an audience aged 18 or older. The idea behind the rating was that, unlike the other rating certificates, X wouldn't be trademarked, and would allow filmmakers to release their film in theaters without needing to submit it to the MPAA for an age certificate.

• In 1990, the MPAA discontinued the X rating and replaced it with NC-17. Unlike X, NC-17 was trademarked and couldn't be self-applied, but it still meant that most theaters wouldn't show films with the rating, resulting in censorship.

• Shot on location in New Zealand.

• A prequel film, 'Pearl,' which was secretly shot simultaneously with 'X,' will be released September 16.

• Mia Goth is cast in a dual role as Maxine and Pearl, the main antagonist and protagonist, respectively.

• A common stereotype of horror films holds that sexually active characters are the first to die and that survivors ("final girls") are almost always virgins. Here, the opposite holds true: the two characters who are never seen having sex dies.

• Critics noted the influence of several films on 'X,' with multiple commentators observing homages to the 1974 film 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'.' Other films cited by critics as having an influence on 'X' include 'Psycho,' 'Hardcore,' 'Alligator' and 'Boogie Nights.'

• Principal photography took place from February 16 to March 16, 2021 in New Zealand's North Island.

• 'X' premiered at the 2022 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival on March 13, 2022 and was released domestically on March 18.

• The film was released on VOD services (including Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube and VUDU) on April 14, 2022. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on May 24.

• 'X' has grossed $11.8 million in the US and Canada, and $2.7 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $14.5 million, on a production budget of only $1 million.