The reason “X” (2022) is a masterpiece in the horror and slasher genre is because of Pearl (Mia Goth) and Maxine (Mia Goth). The movie answers the questions that I was left with after watching “Pearl” (2022). Like, what did her husband, Howard (Alistair Sewell), do? Did Pearl kill her husband? What happened to her?
Well, rest assured because all of this is answered in “X,” and it may even show more than what we needed to see.
In my “Pearl” review, I mentioned that Mia Goth also plays the characters Maxine and Pearl. “X” reminded me why I looked forward to seeing Goth’s acting. She is an amazing actress. Both films were released in the same year, showing how busy she was. Goth is incredible at portraying Maxine while filming in Pearl’s universe.
I can see why Ti West, the director, producer and writer, decided to have Mia Goth play two different characters in a trilogy. While it is unheard of for an actor or actress to play two roles in a series, West is a creative genius, adding similarities between Pearl and Maxine to give “X” a unique twist.
*** Below includes spoilers from “Pearl” and “X” ***
“X” takes place on Pearl’s farm in 1979. 61 years later, after the events of “Pearl,” West introduces new characters who stay at Pearl’s farm to film an adult film.
It is ironic for newcomers to be a cast and film crew who travel in a van to rent a place because one of the things Pearl repeats in the prequel is “I want to be a star.” It reminds me of what she did not become, and it’s a typical storyline in slasher movies. “Let’s rent a place and stay! ” the group says. Yet no one leaves. Well, maybe the final girl does.
What makes the movie terrifying is the fact that it’s set in a farmhouse on Pearl’s land. It felt like I was watching “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974). I’ve never seen it before. I’ve only read about the film in Nico’s and Tegan’s movie reviews, but I feel they are in similar environments. An old house, a barn, maybe a lake and someone chasing people one by one. Even with how the film goes, I was still anxious to know where the characters would end up, especially Pearl.
When Pearl reminisces about her youth and her dreams, it’s clear why she shows an interest in Maxine. Pearl says it herself, Maxine is different; she has the “it” factor. Pearl sees a younger version of herself during a time when she’s struggling to accept her older self. It becomes a battle between a youthful girl and an elderly person, where only one of them can be the final survivor. And I honestly hoped for the twist in the film to be that Maxine travels with Pearl. How can Pearl not survive when she begins the origin story for this trilogy?
Maxine killing off Pearl was the perfect way to conclude Pearl’s story and continue the trilogy, now following Maxine. In the movie “Pearl,” Pearl wants to become a star, but when she meets Maxine, who is younger and could become a star, she feels envy towards her. For me, it made “X” even scarier and more uncomfortable to watch. I honestly hoped Pearl would never get her hands on Maxine; the things she would do, I couldn’t bear to watch. Like most horror stories, Maxine, the protagonist in “X,” runs over Pearl’s head and drives off. It was gruesome.
Their eerie dynamic throughout the film is what might make “X” different from other horror and slasher films.
Perhaps Maxine did have an “it” factor to her, like her boyfriend, Wayne (Martin Henderson), and Pearl said. She didn’t cry or freak out (Well, she did scream when Pearl was in her bed). No one deserves to live with that kind of experience, but I do believe it is what led her to success in “MaXXXine” (2024).
I rate “X” a 7 out of 10.
