X 2022 Film

X 2022 Film

X is a 2022 American slasher film written, directed, produced, and edited by Ti West. Distributed by A24 Films, the film blends classic horror traditions with modern commentary on aging, sexuality, and art. Supporting performances include Jenna Ortega, Martin Henderson, Brittany Snow, Owen Campbell, Stephen Ure, and Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi).

The story known for its mix of slasher violence, thematic depth, and homages to horror classics, X received critical acclaim and has since developed a strong following.

Table of Contents

1. Plot
2. Cast
3. Themes and Influences
4. Production
   • 4.1 Special Effects
5. Reception

Plot

The film opens in 1979 with police investigating a Texas farmhouse, discovering several bodies and a disturbing scene in the basement.

The narrative then rewinds 24 hours. Aspiring adult-film star Maxine Minx joins her producer boyfriend Wayne, fellow performers Bobby-Lynne and Jackson, director RJ, and RJ’s skeptical girlfriend Lorraine to shoot a pornographic film titled The Farmer’s Daughters.

As the group films, tensions rise: Maxine attracts Pearl’s obsessive envy, Lorraine questions her own boundaries, and RJ becomes disillusioned with the project. One by one, the crew falls victim to Pearl and Howard’s violent impulses—motivated by Pearl’s bitterness toward aging and Howard’s twisted loyalty.

The violence escalates with gruesome deaths: Pearl stabs and decapitates RJ, impales Wayne with a pitchfork, shoots Jackson, and lets an alligator drag Bobby-Lynne underwater. Howard executes Lorraine when she attempts to escape. In a climactic showdown, Maxine manages to survive, killing Pearl in a brutal, ironic reversal.

The film closes with police discovering the carnage and speculating about the camera left behind, hinting at “one goddamn fucked up horror picture.”

X 2022 Film Cast

• Mia Goth – Maxine Minx / Pearl
• Jenna Ortega – Lorraine Day
• Brittany Snow – Bobby-Lynne Parker
• Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi) – Jackson Hole
• Martin Henderson – Wayne Gilroy
• Owen Campbell – RJ Nichols
• Stephen Ure – Howard
• Simon Prast – Televangelist
• James Gaylyn – Sheriff Dentler

Themes and Influences

While X is structured like a classic slasher, it incorporates deeper commentary on the fear of aging, the fleeting nature of youth, and society’s obsession with beauty and sexuality. Pearl embodies both horror and tragedy, a character whose violent outbursts are tied to her longing for lost vitality.

Critics have pointed out the film’s influences:

• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) – rural setting, claustrophobic tension.
• Hardcore (1979) and Boogie Nights (1997) – explorations of pornography and ambition.
• Creature horror nods to Alligator (1980).

The combination of eroticism and violence led some reviewers to frame X as a “meta-slasher,” balancing exploitation aesthetics with arthouse style.

Production

In November 2020, A24 announced the project with Ti West at the helm. Mia Goth, Jenna Ortega, and Scott Mescudi were among the first cast members confirmed, with Brittany Snow joining in early 2021.

Principal photography took place from February to March 2021 in New Zealand’s North Island, primarily around Whanganui and Fordell. A full-scale barn set was constructed for the shoot, and additional scenes were filmed in Bulls, including the use of a local town hall.

Special Effects

The film relied heavily on practical effects. Goth spent nearly 10 hours daily in prosthetic makeup to portray Pearl, overseen by artist Sarah Rubano. Death sequences were achieved with prosthetics, retractable weapons, and dummies—such as RJ’s decapitation scene, which combined a false body with twitching stunt performance for realism.

Reception

X was praised for its balance of horror and thematic richness. Critics highlighted Mia Goth’s dual performance, Ti West’s direction, and the film’s mix of suspense and exploitation homages. Many described it as both a throwback to grindhouse cinema and a fresh exploration of horror’s fascination with mortality.

Richard Roeper noted that X echoed not only slasher classics but also adult films like Debbie Does Dallas (1978), underlining its commentary on sexuality and cultural anxieties of the late 1970s.

Since its release on March 18, 2022, X has earned a reputation as one of A24’s standout horror projects, spawning further interest in West’s planned trilogy exploring Pearl’s life story.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – X (2022 Film)

1. Is X based on a true story?
No. While X draws inspiration from 1970s horror films and cultural anxieties of the time, its plot is fictional.

2. Why did Ti West choose the 1970s setting?
The late 1970s marked both the golden age of slasher cinema and the rise of adult filmmaking. West used this period to merge themes of sexual liberation, censorship, and societal fear.

3. What is the connection between X, Pearl, and MaXXXine?
X is the first film in the trilogy. Pearl serves as a prequel exploring Pearl’s backstory, while MaXXXine follows Maxine’s survival journey in the 1980s.

4. Why does Mia Goth play both Maxine and Pearl?
The casting highlights the duality of youth and old age, as well as desire and decay. It’s a deliberate artistic choice that deepens the film’s exploration of mortality.

5. How violent is X?
The film contains strong violence, gore, and sexual content, consistent with its homage to grindhouse cinema. It is intended for mature audiences.

6. What makes X different from other slashers?
Unlike many slashers, X combines brutal horror with layered social commentary, offering more than just shock value. It examines generational divides, repression, and the human fear of being forgotten.

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