X

The small group of creatives around the enterprising Wayne (Martin Henderson) has a dream: on a farm somewhere in Texas of the year 1979, they want to make a film that will give them a breakthrough in the industry. And what can be produced easily, cheaply and very suitable for the masses? A porn film, of course. Of course, Wayne didn't tell the owner of the farm when he rented the small guest house for the shoot. The mysterious old man doesn't seem to like the sinful goings-on of his guests at all. And so it does not take long and the film shooting turns into a very real fight for life and death...

With "X" director Ti West has staged a very classic horror slasher, which despite the many familiar set pieces quite to surprise and especially very well entertained. West, who has already proven his skills in the horror genre with films like "The Innkeepers" or "House of the Devil", convinces here with a lot of retro charm, tongue-in-cheek humor and solid kills. He creates a very special look, reminiscent of classics like the legendary "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". This creates quite a great atmosphere that provides a perfect foundation for the successful mix of suspense and humor. While some scenes offer really violent slasher fare, others turn out to be very amusing. Especially when the team shoots the textile-free "art film", the humor strikes through again and again.

The mystery surrounding the remote farm reveals itself relatively quickly, but still leaves enough hidden to be thoroughly suspenseful. Interestingly, West has also shot a prequel to "X", which is also scheduled for release this year (at least in the U.S.) and will explore the origins of the story in 1918. Who is at the center of this, of course, will not be revealed here, but should be clear to everyone from about the middle of "X".

Atmospheric, exciting, funny - this is Ti West's bow to the classics of the slasher genre. Even if the wheel is not reinvented, West has used the rules of the genre very well to put his very own stamp on it. Carried by a consistently convincing ensemble and supported by great effects, for which the New Zealand WETA Workshop was responsible, "X" has become a real pearl for genre fans and an absolute must! Worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp