<em>'X'</em>... I didn't see that coming! Admittedly, I practically came in fully blind, but still. It's not only an impressively stylish movie, it's an absolutely wild ride from beginning to completion. A fantastic horror slasher, it's brought to life superbly on and 'off' screen. Mia Goth brings an excellent performance, that one scream fails to escape my memory... co-star Jenna Ortega matches her in that department though, perhaps even surpasses. I've known Goth by name for a while, but this is the first movie of hers that I've logged. Ortega herself is very good too, as are all of the others in this 2022 release. Brittany Snow does well, is it just me (probably) that sees a facial resemblance to Christine Lakin? (shoutout anyone who watched <em>'Internet Icon'</em> featuring her back in the day). Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi, that <i>one</i> shot is a madness btw 😂 *insert Rowley Jefferson gif here*). Martin Henderson, Owen Campbell and Stephen Ure play their part too. The deaths are awesome - super well done. The one with the secondary eye pop edit got me squeamish; the editing is top tier. Just looked up the filming locations for this... New Zealand?! I was totally convinced that the farm was the same one used for <em>'The Walking Dead'</em>. Aside from a few differences, the house and barn match my (admittedly fading) memory of Hershel's digs. Clearly not! Lastly, I did not even realise, until looking at the Wikipedia article in fact, that Goth played Pearl as well... crazy prosthetics! That does make the eponymous follow-up's cover make a lot more sense (given I knew it was a prequel), I was questioning that until this very moment.

X by Ti West is definitely a unique take on the slasher genre. The story feels fresh and unlike anything I’ve seen before, making it a solid introduction to something new. The acting by all the characters was good, not perfect, but strong enough to carry the film. It didn’t blow me away, but it worked well with the story. The plot itself is very straightforward and easy to follow, but it takes a bit too long to get going. The first act feels stretched out, with not much happening until later, and it’s a little unclear when the first act transitions into the second. That pacing could’ve been tighter, but once the story picks up, things really start moving, and the payoff is worth it. Visually, the film nails the 1970s vibe with gritty yet polished cinematography that draws you in. An interesting choice is the use of the 1.37:1 and the 1.90:1 aspect ratio, which enhances the viewing experience. Overall, it’s a solid horror movie with a unique spin, even if it has its pacing flaws. It’s definitely worth a watch if you’re into stylish, slow-burn horror.

I will be doing a combined review for the two films, "X" and "Pearl." Upon seeing the high ratings given by both the general public and critics to these movies, I am left puzzled about what truly makes a good film. Let's start with "X," a movie that I found to be absolutely terrible. The film revolves around pornography rather than a cohesive storyline, resulting in a disjointed and atrocious viewing experience. The cinematography, acting, storytelling, and writing were all subpar, yet critics inexplicably praised it. The attempt to elevate the film with Jenna Ortega fell short, as she had minimal screen time amidst excessive male and adult nudity, making it unsuitable for general viewing. This is a movie best watched in private, not recommended by me at all. Moving on to "Pearl," I was equally disappointed as it also relied heavily on sexual themes. The film took a bizarre turn, culminating in a scene that made me walk out of the theater in disbelief. It's baffling to see these films receive acclaim, especially when performances like Mia Goth's are lacking. It seems that the current focus is on titillation rather than genuine storytelling. As we await the verdict on the third film, it appears that the world may be more interested in gratification than meaningful narratives.