X

Ti West's X is a love letter to 1970s exploitation cinema that functions simultaneously as a slasher film, a meditation on aging, and a celebration of artistic ambition. Mia Goth delivers a star-making dual performance as both aspiring adult film actress Maxine and elderly killer Pearl. Set in 1979 rural Texas, a film crew renting a farmhouse to shoot a pornographic movie incurs the wrath of their elderly landlords. West's patient, sun-drenched direction builds dread through atmosphere rather than jump scares, and the kills, when they arrive, are brutal and inventive. The film launched a trilogy — with Pearl and MaXXXine — establishing Mia Goth as horror's reigning modern scream queen.