X

This is a film that has had me curious since I first heard about it. Now I love slasher films and I liked the idea of the premise but I had one major worry and that was this is a film made by the studio A24. Now if you're unfamiliar with that studio, they are known for making very slow artistic styled films and despite a couple here and there, I haven't really enjoyed much that they've released. However on this occasion, that is not the case.

Starting off with the positives, the best thing about X is that this is a film going for a more ambiguous story. A lot of slasher films end up just going for a cheesy B movie type experience and whilst I do naturally enjoy those sorts of films, it's nice to see a slasher film go for a more prestige direction and taken seriously.

And what helps enhance the story is that we spend time with the villains of the film. We get to explore things from their point of view and their world differences and you get to a point where you actually understand and sympathise with their motivations. With the villains, you eventually get an understanding for the story this film is going for and in a weird way and without going into spoilers, you feel a mix of sadness and heart towards the villains.

Next we have to talk about the characters and now I will say these are not the best characters I've seen but they definitely standout in this film and are very entertaining due to their personalities. You have the over the top alpha male who had me laughing throughout the film, the shy quiet girl type who's trying to come out of her shell, the cameraman who feels like he's out of the A24 archives, two women who are, putting it nicely, the more sexually active of the group and there's a good cast assembled as well. No one was badly acted or the weak link.

Now there's one character I want to talk about who I didn't include with the main cast and that is Kid Cudi's character. This guy had me cracking up throughout this film. This guys starts the film looking like a 70s disco tribute act then later on, this guy is naked pretty much the rest of the film and it made me laugh so much how often this guy would happily walk around fully nude.

And as this is an A24 film you have to talk about the filmmaking itself and the camera work is great. Unlike previous times where it felt pretentious, the camera work in this film actually helps increase the tension, depending on whether it zooms out or makes quick cut edits, the cinematography just makes this film feel more eerie and tense. Even when the colour correction is used, it makes certain elements feel creepy and will make the audience uncomfortable.

Speaking of creepiness, I really liked the farmland setting. This is a great example of a setting that feels so open yet so enclosed. Its a great big area that never makes you feel safe and has you on edge. The moment the characters arrive, that's the moment everything just feels unsafe.

Of course, as a slasher you have to talk about the kills and for a film that is staying grounded, the kills are very good. Not the goriest I've ever seen but like I said, for a grounded film, they are effective enough and there's a really nice buildup towards the first kill. Throughout the film it sort of has a macGuffin moment of who will be the first victim and once that kill happens, I never thought I'd say this regarding a slasher but it feels earned and sets the carnage in motion.

And just a couple of small details, this film had a good use of foreshadowing whether its based on dialogue or events set in motion, there's some nice 70s references and aesthetics used that help you believe this is set in the 70s and there's some nice homages to previous slasher films as well.

Now let's move onto the mixed aspects of the film and these aren't necessarily good or bad points, these are things you should know going in. First I would avoid the trailer, it doesn't reveal the whole film but it definitely reveals moments that the audience can work out for themselves.

Second there's a lot of nudity in this film and if you don't like that, this may not be the film for you but if you can look past that, it shouldn't affect your experience too much.

Finally there's a revelation about one character that is good for development but the placement of the twist just felt like it had no affect for the character or the story.

Now onto the negatives and this won't take long because I don't have many. First as typical for an A24 film, this film does take a while to get going. It doesn't drag too much but just enough to wonder where events are going.

And my only other negative is there's some clichéd contrived moments where in order for something to happen, a character needs to be in the right place, has to make a specific decision etc. There one kill especially that though its set up earlier, the timing of it felt very convenient.

But overall I loved this film. Now whilst I don't think every A24 will ever be for me after this film, if they continue to make more like this then I will be happy. This was a pleasant surprise and a film I would recommend to all horror fans.

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