Just when you thought the slasher film was dead, X brings together another group of dumb teens to prove you wrong.
From A24, the studio behind horror classics such as Midsommar, The Witch, Hereditary, Lamb… (Should I keep going?). And, Director Ti West, comes a slasher film that every reviewer seems to be astonished by.
Simply titled X, the film takes what we love about classic horror tropes from Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Scream and gives them a modern twist to be digested by horror lovers old and young (not too young hopefully…).
Check out the trailer!
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Matt Donato from Slashfilm hailed it for replicating the “‘70s and ‘80s slashers from blood-drenched gore to technical flourishes… West wanted to make a full-immersion throwback like few others are right now. Mission accomplished.”
“X lives up to its name by pushing grindhouse appeal to the extreme, delivering what horror lovers will undoubtedly describe as ‘old-fashioned horror fun,” Donato continued. “Slashers are alive and well, and even breathe new life in the case of X”
However, Abby Olcese from Roger Ebert offers a slightly different opinion.
“It’s an icky good time that’s primarily a love letter to the filmmaking process… Doesn’t offer much beyond that.”
Olcese then goes on to suggest that although West sets up themes around youth and beauty, he “never goes deeper than visceral pleasures.”
In conclusion though, she labels it “plenty of fun,” but “could easily have been much more.”
Switching over to Variety, Owen Gleiberman praises X for its “deliberate, loving, and meticulous homage” to Chainsaw Massacre.
Somewhat ironically, the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre film, now on Netflix, also failed to replicate the original’s beauty and gore.
Gleiberman also makes note of the film’s choice to almost make a commentary on how slashers of the time were used to “represent the suppression of female sexuality.”
If you’ve seen one of these slashers, this is normally shown by hacking a lady in half mid-coitus.
Overall, it seems the response to Ti West’s X is extremely positive and a must-see for any horror fans. Or, perhaps even casual viewers who are a bit curious about what all the fuss is about.
X stars Mia Goth (Maxine), Jenna Ortega (Lorraine), Brittany Snow (Bobby-Lynne), Kid Cudi (Jackson), Martin Henderson (Wanye) and Owen Campbell (RJ).
The film opens in Australia on 24th March, 2022.
