[HorrorScience] X – When Slasher and Porn Meet in Deep America

"X", the director's last workTi West, is a slasher that dares to go beyond the usual tropes to offer us a cinematic experience that is both an homage and a deconstruction of the genre. It has become an instant cult phenomenon, and here at ComboGamer I will review all the installments in the saga.

The Premise: Beyond the Simple Slasher

Set in 1979, "X" introduces us to a group of young filmmakers who venture into rural Texas America with the intention of filming a pornographic film. What begins as a bold and provocative project soon turns into a bloody nightmare when the elderly owners of the farm where they are staying discover their intentions.

This premise, while seemingly simple, serves as a catalyst for a narrative that explores much deeper themes than the typical slasher. West uses the historical context of the 1970s, a time of social change and sexual liberation, to create a brutal contrast with the conservative and religious mentality of the American Deep South.

Sex, Violence and the Cinematic Gaze

One of the most notable characteristics of "X" is how West plays with the duality between pornographic cinema and horror cinema. Both genres, often considered “low-budget” or “exploitation,” share more similarities than we might think at first glance. West explores this connection masterfully, using the camera to question our own gaze as viewers.

The film makes us wonder: What are we really looking for when we watch a horror movie? Is it so different from what the porn viewer is looking for? This meta-cinematic reflection adds a layer of depth that elevates "X" above many other films in the genre.

Characters that Defy Stereotypes

Another notable aspect of "X" is its treatment of the characters. Far from being simple archetypes destined to be slaughtered, West presents us with a complex and well-developed cast.Mia Goth, in particular, delivers a fascinating dual performance that serves as the narrative's centerpiece.

The antagonists, for their part, are not simple one-dimensional monsters. West gives them a disturbing humanity that makes us question who the “villains” of this story really are. Is it the young people who seek to exploit their sexuality for money, or the elderly whose sexual repression has become a violent and destructive force?

Tributes and Subversions

Cinephiles will find in “X” a gold mine of references and tributes. From obvious nods to classics like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" to subtle references to Hitchcock's "Psycho," West demonstrates a deep knowledge and respect for the history of horror cinema.

However, what makes "X" truly special is how it subverts these references. West takes familiar slasher tropes and twists them, creating something that feels both familiar and completely new.

Aesthetics: A Journey to the Past

Visually, “X” is a feast for the eyes. Eliot Rockett's cinematography perfectly captures the '70s aesthetic, from the grain of the film to the color palette. This attention to detail not only serves historical immersion, but also plays a crucial role in building the film's oppressive and claustrophobic atmosphere.

Conclusion: A New Horror Classic

Ti West's "X" is not just another horror film. It is a work that challenges, provokes and, above all, entertains. By combining classic slasher elements with a complex narrative and provocative themes, West has created something that transcends the expectations of the genre.

For horror lovers looking for more than just scares, "X" offers a rich, multifaceted cinematic experience that is sure to spark discussion and analysis for years. It is, without a doubt, one of those rare films that manages to be both an homage to the past and a bold step towards the future of the genre.

Some curiosities about «X»

• The day after X (2022) premiered on South by Southwest, writer-director Ti West revealed that during a mandatory two-week COVID-19 quarantine at his New Zealand hotel, before production on this film could begin, he wrote a prequel, Pearl (2022). A24 saw the script and greenlit the film before production on “X” had even wrapped. He asked star Mia Goth if she wanted to stay in New Zealand and film "Pearl," and she immediately agreed. The prequel premiered later in 2022.

• The films' title refers to the X rating used by the MPAA from 1968 to 1990, which indicated that a film was only suitable for audiences 16 years of age and older. The idea behind the classification was that, unlike the other certificates, X would not be a trademark and would allow filmmakers to release their film in theaters without needing to submit it to the MPAA for an age certificate. Notable films that were originally released with an In the 1970s, the porn industry ended up exploiting the lack of a trademark for the X rating by releasing pornographic films in theaters with that same rating. Over time, X became more associated with pornography and more and more theaters began to refuse to show films with an Unlike

• In an interview, Brittany Snow spoke about filming the nude scenes: "I think there was a lot of confidence in our characters, and some of the nudity came from that confidence that our characters exuded. It almost seemed necessary, because not only were we filming a porn movie, but our characters would have been very comfortable with it. Snow said the film "was an exercise in feeling confident in my body. "I was pretty proud of myself."

• The name of the gas station and convenience store at the beginning of the film is a direct reference to the Ti West film The Guests (2011), which was set at the Yankee Pedlar Inn.

• When the moon is seen rising over the barn, dark moles (located predominantly on the northern half of the moon) are seen at the bottom. This is because the film was filmed in the southern hemisphere (in New Zealand) rather than its rural Texas setting.

• It supposedly takes place entirely in Texas, but was actually filmed entirely in New Zealand.

• Although filmed in the modern widescreen format, the end credits are initially shown in the old 4x3 aspect ratio. This is reflected in the opening scene, but in that situation, it is gradually revealed to be simply the image being revealed from the barn.