Writer/Director Ti West entered the horror nation with his critically acclaimed independent debut film, “The Roost.” West would then go on to win the dark hearts of horror fans with the fantastic, “The House Of The Devil.” After a few films and several stints directing episodes for popular horror Television series such as “The Exorcist” and “Scream,” West has returned to features with his newest outing, “X.” Known for building artistic slow burn films, West partners with the new kings of high brow horror A24 studios. A24 has been pumping out thought provoking dark productions faster than an open wound. Much like West, A24 has won admirers and tough critics alike with such films as, “The Witch” and “Midsommer.” While some enjoy the deeper and dramatic style of this director and studio, others find these films a long drawn out bore. With the premise of being a slasher, does “X” pack enough punch to satisfy the critical dark arts crowd?
Wayne, a middle-aged man who has made his money in smut, wrangles up a crew to shoot an adult film, in hopes of cashing in on the emerging video pornography market. Wanting to avoid the prying eyes and taxes of the city, Wayne rents a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere Texas to shoot the film. The farmhouse is owned by an older than dirt couple, Howard and Pearl, who believe this odd group are only looking for a quick getaway vacation. Once the elderly couple discovers the true intentions of Wayne’s crew, a dark spark is lit. After several odd instances occur, the group suspects something sinister is spreading through the scenic countryside. One by one, the film’s team slowly finds out that they are now involved in a different kind of production, and one that has been going on for a long time.
West can be summed up by two of his previous films. While “House Of The Devil” had an amazing payoff for the slow burn, “The Innkeepers” did not. “X” falls somewhere in the middle of both. If a production is going to have a slow building plot, rich with atmospheric drama, their must be a reward for the audience at the end. While “X” does get the gore going in the final act, the suspension of disbelief disappears with the age of the antagonist. Simply put, these characters just cannot be that weak or stupid. West does shine again with a perfectly shot piece and each performer does a professional job with their cookie cutter characters, but while original, the dark elderly duo fails to conjure up anything remotely creepy. “X” would have been much more believable and tense if the script would have taken about 25 years off of the old couple. The F/X team does a good job with some decent and original kills, along with sprinkling the grounds with objects that suggest this slaughter is not the horror homeowners first rodeo. Top marks to West for attempting something new, but a slow burn slasher just does not play, especially when the leads look more likely to be taking a nap instead of hunting their prey. A prequel to “X” has already been shot and will be released in the next twelve months. Hopefully West steps out of his comfort zone and gives the horror nation a quick pounding slaughter fest, which could cement his place among the top directors in the industry.
Scream Score: 7.1/10