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X (film series)

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Not to be confused with The X-Files (franchise), X-Men (film series), or XXX (film series).
X
Official film series logo[citation needed]
Directed byTi West
Written by
Based onOriginal characters
by Ti West
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyEliot Rockett
Edited by
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
2022–2024
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$11 million[citation needed]
Box office$45.5 million

The X film series consists of American horror films based on an original story written by Ti West. The series includes the original film X, its prequel Pearl (both 2022), and its sequel MaXXXine (2024). The overall plot of the movies centers on two characters, Maxine "Max" Minx and Pearl, both portrayed by Mia Goth.

The first film, X, was met with critical acclaim,[1] and was a success at the box office. A tribute to slasher films of the past, the picture was deemed a horror film classic and impactful, anticipating its influence on the future of the genre.[2][3][4][5][6] Its prequel, Pearl, was also critically acclaimed, with some stating that it inadvertently improved the premise of the previous installment, and was also a success at the box office.[7][8] The third film, MaXXXine, was released on July 5, 2024.[9] It received generally favorable reviews from critics and became the highest grossing film in the series.[10]

Films

[edit]
Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter(s) Producers
X March 18, 2022 (2022-03-18) Ti West Ti West Ti West, Kevin Turen, Jacob Jaffke & Harrison Kreiss
Pearl September 16, 2022 (2022-09-16) Ti West & Mia Goth
MaXXXine July 5, 2024 (2024-07-05) Ti West Ti West, Mia Goth, Kevin Turen, Jacob Jaffke & Harrison Kreiss

X (2022)

[edit]
Main article: X (2022 film)

In 1979 America, a team of amateur filmmakers are determined to create a new experience in cinema with an exploration in the adult film industry. Burlesque show owner and developer Wayne Gilroy decides that he will produce the project under his own conception, and hires a young and inexperienced director, RJ Nichols, whose reserved girlfriend Lorraine Day assists with the technical needs during the photography. Wayne's younger girlfriend, aspiring actress Maxine Minx stars in the production, alongside pornographic stars Bobby-Lynne Parker and Jackson Hole. While on the road trip to rural Texas the group have their differences, but ultimately put these aside as Wayne believes that they will attain riches and fame with this project's innovation.

When they arrive at their remote location, an isolated cabin that Wayne rented from its elderly owners Howard and his ailing wife Pearl, they immediately begin production. Unbeknownst to the owners, they continue their sexual debauchery while Lorraine, at the discomfort of RJ, decides to take part in the climactic final scene as well. All the while, curiosity leads Pearl to investigate the cabin, only to find the sensual activities of the team. Jealous of their youth and sexuality, angered by her aging body, and longing for a time when she, too, sought stardom, the aged woman begins a rampage upon them one by one. When Howard learns of what has been happening on his property, he helps his wife in her mission to slaughter the young film crew. As a massacre begins to unfold, the group fight to survive the night.[11][12][13]

Pearl (2022)

[edit]
Main article: Pearl (2022 film)

In 1918 America, Pearl is a young and ambitious woman with desires for celebrity on a national scale. An avid fan of motion pictures and dancing, she expresses her desires to become a star to her family. Though her husband is away in the military during World War I, she stays at the home of her parents, must abide by their reserved and strict expectations, and attend to their farm. Her German mother Ruth discounts her aspirations, disapproves of their exploitive nature, and orders that she complete chores while she lives in their home. This includes caring for her father who uses a wheelchair and is unable to speak. Though she initially sees the farm animals as her friends and converses with them as though they are human, she begins to take out her frustrations on them and begins slaughtering them to appease her inner rage.

Despite these restrictions, Pearl often sneaks away to the local movie theater where she can escape the cares of her day and fantasize her dreams of a future different from the life she's living. Over time, the projectionist at the moviehouse starts a flirtatious and lustful relationship with her. When he shows her an early-iteration of a pornographic movie albeit silent in nature, and tells her that he wants to see her in something similar one day, she once again begins to believe that one day she will be a star. Her thirst for sexual interaction continues to be suppressed as she attends the needs of the farm. All the while, her mother tells her that something is wrong with her, with outbursts of unacceptable psychopathic and sociopathic tendencies emerging. As their differences escalate, Pearl allows her true antisocial desires to release. As she commits to becoming a serial killer through murderous acts, she inadvertently seals her fate in order to avoid a criminal homicide investigation. She struggles to come to terms with the reality that she will never achieve her goals, never reach her dreams, and always have to remain anonymous at the family farm she inherits as a consequence of her actions.[14][7][8][15]

MaXXXine (2024)

[edit]
Main article: MaXXXine

In March 2022, West announced that he was working on the script for a third film in the X series, to be set chronologically after the events of X. The project would explore another sub-genre of horror and would continue the depiction of cinema's influence on society, exploring how the development of home video releases did so. West states, while a viewer can watch each movie independently without seeing the previous film, they are made to "complement each other".[16][17][18]

In June 2022, executive producer Peter Phok confirmed that a third film was officially in development with West attached to the project.[19] In September 2022, at the first Midnight Madness showing of Pearl for the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, a third film was officially announced with a short teaser played after the post-credits. The clip was later released online for those not present at the event. West once again would serve as writer/director and one of the producers, while Mia Goth would reprise her role from the first movie. Taking place in 1985 and titled MaXXXine, the plot was confirmed to center around Maxine, the only survivor of the "Massacre of X" as she continues to pursue her future in Hollywood. The teaser trailer was shot with the film fast-tracked to being green-lit by A24, following the successes of the previous two installments. Jacob Jaffke, Kevin Turen, and Harrison Kreiss were to be producers, while Goth would additionally serve as an executive producer.[20][21][9]

In January 2023, Goth stated that the script was complete and that the story was, in her opinion, the best of the series, so far. The actress stated that many of the previous production team were returning, with principal photography scheduled to commence later that year.[22] In April 2023, it was announced that Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Lily Collins, Halsey, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon had been added to the cast.[23] Principal photography commenced later that month. The film was released on July 5, 2024.

Future

[edit]

In March 2022, while describing his creative processes West stated: "I'm trying to build a world out of all this, like people do these days." He further expressed that: "You can't make a slasher movie without a bunch of sequels."[18]

In February 2024, the filmmaker stated that he has plans for a fourth installment. The project's realization will depend on the reception of MaXXXine.[24] In May of the same year, West confirmed that he is working on a fourth film; stating that he may develop it as his next project.[25] In July of the same year, West stated that after completing the trilogy, he plans to determine whether the fourth movie or another story will be his next project, after first taking a short break from filmmaking.[26][27] In August 2024, during a Reddit AMA, he stated that he is "happy with where [he] left it" and that MaXXXine is likely the end of the series.[28]

Development

[edit]

Writer/director Ti West developed the film series as a study and analysis of mankind's desires for fame and fortune. Each movie will explore the associated horrors through a slightly different lens. X was created as a tribute to, and in the style of, the original installment of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise.[29] While it details the rise of independent filmmaking and its influence on society, the prequel film explored another style within the genre.[18]

Filmed back-to-back with the first installment, Pearl was filmed as a secret prequel, with photography taking place in New Zealand. Once the announcement of the movie was made, it was already in the post-production stage.[30] A sneak preview was also shown in X's post-credits scene for North American releases only.[31] The filmmaker created the project with the intention of its being a mix between melodramas and technicolor films, described as "a demented Disney movie". Exploring the rise of classic Hollywood film productions, West intended to detail its influences on societal shift and changes.[18][16][17]

Likewise, the third installment, a direct sequel titled MaXXXine, was compared to giallo films (particularly by Dario Argento).[32][33] The project explores the creation of home video, rentals, and video stores. Each installment is intended to portray human relations as a result of the media they consume.[18]

Cast and characters

[edit]
List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

  • An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  A indicates an appearance through archival footage or audio.
  •  C indicates a cameo role.
  •  P indicates an appearance in onscreen photographs.
  •  U indicates an uncredited appearance.
  •  V indicates a voice-only role.
  •  Y indicates a younger version of the character.
Character Films
X Pearl MaXXXine
2022 2024
Maxine Minx
Maxine Miller 		Mia Goth[34] Mia Goth
Charley Rowan McCainY
Pearl Douglas Mia Goth Mia GothA[a]
Howard Douglas Stephen Ure
Larry FessendenVU [35]
Alistair SewellYP 		Alistair SewellY Mentioned
Lorraine Day Jenna Ortega Jenna OrtegaP
Wayne Gilroy Martin Henderson Mentioned
RJ Nichols Owen Campbell
Bobby-Lynne Parker Brittany Snow[34]
Jackson Hollis Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi
Ernest Miller
The Televangelist 		Simon Prast Simon Prast
Sheriff Dentler James Gaylyn
The Projectionist David Corenswet
Ruth Tandi Wright
Pearl's father Matthew Sunderland
Mitsy Douglas Emma Jenkins-Purro
Margaret Douglas Amelia Reid-Meredith
Elizabeth "Liz" Bender Elizabeth Debicki
Leon Green Moses Sumney
Det. Williams Michelle Monaghan
Det. Torres Bobby Cannavale
Molly Bennett Lily Collins
Tabby Martin Halsey
Teddy Knight Giancarlo Esposito
John Labat Kevin Bacon
Amber James Chloe Farnworth
FX Artist Sophie ThatcherC

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Goth portrays the character through flashback sequences, and during sequences where Maxine briefly envisions the character throughout the movie.

Additional crew and production details

[edit]
Crew of X films
Film Crew/Detail
Composer(s) Cinematographer Editor(s) Production companies Distributing company Running time
X Tyler Bates & Chelsea Wolfe Eliot Rockett Ti West & David Kashevaroff A24
Mad Solar
Little Lamb Productions 		A24 106 mins
Pearl Tyler Bates & Tim Williams Ti West 102 mins
MaXXXine Tyler Bates 104 mins

Reception

[edit]
For more details on the reception of each film, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.

Box office and financial performance

[edit]
Commercial performance of X films
Film Box office gross Box office
ranking 		Video
sales gross 		Worldwide
sales total 		Budget Ref(s)
North America Other territories Worldwide All-time
domestic 		All-time
worldwide 		North America
X $11,769,469 $3,343,636 $15,113,105 #5,042 #6,322 $2,319,885 $17,432,990 $1,000,000 [36][37][38]
Pearl $9,423,445 $715,971 $10,139,416 #5,490 #7,597 $2,037,845 $12,177,261 $4,900,000 [39]
MaXXXine $15,082,039 $5,185,030 $20,267,069 #4,523 #5,531 TBD TBD $2,000,000[citation needed] TBD
Totals $36,274,953 $9,244,637 $45,519,590 #5,139 #7,892 $4,357,730 $29,610,251 $11,000,000

Critical and public response

[edit]
Critical performance of X films
Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
X 94% (230 reviews)[1] 80/100 (35 reviews)[40] —
Pearl 92% (213 reviews)[41] 76/100 (39 reviews)[42] B−[43]
MaXXXine 72% (267 reviews)[44] 64/100 (50 reviews)[45] B

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "X (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  2. ^ Adelgaard, Karina (April 19, 2022). "X – Movie Review (4/5)". Heaven of Horror. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  3. ^ Taylor, Drew (April 1, 2022). "'X' Marks the Spot: How Ti West Made a New Horror Classic". The Wrap. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  4. ^ Cotroneo, Vincent (May 16, 2022). "Ti West's X: How it Honors Horror's Past and Paves the Way For its Future". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  5. ^ Motamayor, Rafael (March 15, 2022). "Ti West's X aims its slasher-movie homage straight at classic horror fanatics". Polygon. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Filby, Jessica (May 19, 2022). "8 Classic Horror Movies To Watch If You Love Ti West's X". GameRant. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Navarro, Meagan (September 13, 2022). "'Pearl' Review – Mia Goth Has That 'X' Factor in Ti West's Gorgeous Technicolor Nightmare". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Bibbiani, William (September 3, 2022). "'Pearl' Film Review: Stunning Prequel Makes 'X' Even Better Than It Already Was". The Wrap. Archived from the original on September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Squires, John (September 13, 2022). "'MaXXXine' – A24 Announces Third Movie in Ti West's 'X' Franchise! [Teaser]". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  10. ^ McPherson, Chris (2024-08-04). "'MaXXXine' Continues To Slash and Claw at Global Box Office". Collider. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  11. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (March 14, 2022). "'X' Review: '70s Horror Meets '70s Porn in the Rare 'Chain Saw' Homage That Earns Its Fear". Variety. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  12. ^ Navarro, Meagan (March 14, 2022). "'X' Movie Review – Ti West Goes Full-Throttle on Savagely Funny and Intense Throwback Horror". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  13. ^ Ebert, Roger (March 14, 2022). "X". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  14. ^ Debrudge, Peter (September 3, 2022). "'Pearl' Review: In 'X' Prequel, Mia Goth Shows Where Her Repressed Antihero Went off the Rails". Variety. Archived from the original on September 17, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  15. ^ Adlakha, Siddhant (September 12, 2022). "Pearl Review". IGN. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Curto, Justin (March 14, 2021). "Ti West Is Saving a Slice for X Prequel Pearl". Vulture. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Yamato, Jen (March 14, 2022). "Inside Ti West and Mia Goth's already filmed secret prequel to A24 slasher 'X'". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c d e Kohn, Eric (March 14, 2022). "Ti West Shot a Secret Horror Prequel to A24 Slasher Movie 'X' with Mia Goth, Reveals Plans for a Trilogy". IndieWire. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  19. ^ Dick, Jeremy (June 18, 2022). "Exclusive: Producer Peter Phok Teases X Prequel, Sequel, & Other Exciting Projects". Movie Web. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  20. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 12, 2022). "Ti West Reveals 'X' Trilogy Finale With 'MaXXXine' Teaser Following Tonight's 'Pearl' TIFF Midnight Madness Premiere: WATCH". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  21. ^ Navarro, Meagan (September 13, 2022). "'MaXXXine' – Ti West Teases That Third 'X' Movie Is Inspired by the VHS Boom of the 1980s". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  22. ^ Earl, William (January 17, 2023). "'Pearl Changed Me': Mia Goth on the 'Wild,' Trilogy-Ending 'MaXXXine' and How 'Infinity Pool' Will Challenge Viewers". Variety. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  23. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 5, 2023). "'MaXXXine' Adds Lily Collins, Kevin Bacon, Michelle Monaghan, Giancarlo Esposito, Halsey & More To Cast". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  24. ^ Squires, John (February 26, 2024). "'MaXXXine' – Ti West Teases That He Has an Idea for a Fourth Movie in the 'X' and 'Pearl' Franchise". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  25. ^ Romano, Nick (May 6, 2024). "MaXXXine caps horror trilogy with 'big, sprawling Los Angeles ensemble movie'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  26. ^ Davids, Brian (July 5, 2024). "'MaXXXine' Filmmaker Ti West on Capping Off His Unexpected Trilogy and Receiving Calls About Superman". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  27. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (July 5, 2024). "'MaXXXine' Director Ti West on How 'Body Double,' the Moral Majority and Mia Goth's Leading Lady Aspirations Inspired His 'Self-Actualization' Slasher Movie". Variety. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  28. ^ TiWest-MaXXXine (2024-08-02). "would love to keep w…". r/movies. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  29. ^ Schager, Nick (March 20, 2022). "How 'X' Director Ti West Crafted a Bloody-Fantastic Tribute to '70s Horror and Porn". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  30. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 14, 2022). "A24's X Has Shot A Prequel, Ti West Reveals At Pic's SXSW Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  31. ^ Navarro, Meagan (March 14, 2022). "Ti West Unveils Teaser for Surprise 'X' Prequel 'Pearl' at SXSW!". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  32. ^ Phillips, Scott. "'MaXXXine' Is The 80's Horror Film You Never Knew You Needed". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  33. ^ Bell, Sadie (2024-07-15). "How 'Maxxxine' Takes Inspiration From Sexploitation—and Gives It a Feminist Twist". Marie Claire Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  34. ^ a b Gingold, Michael (April 14, 2022). "Exclusive Interview: Mia Goth and Brittany Snow Get Into the Skin of "X"". Rue Morgue. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  35. ^ Gingold, Michael (July 8, 2024). "Exclusive Interview: Larry Fessenden Talks His MAXXXINE Cameo—And Reveals His Part In Ti West's X". Fangoria. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
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  37. ^ "X (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  38. ^ Cusson, Katie (July 4, 2022). "Pearl: Why the Secretly Filmed Prequel to Ti West's X is a Brilliant Idea". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  39. ^ "Pearl (2022) – Financial Information". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  40. ^ "X (2022)". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  41. ^ "Pearl (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  42. ^ "Pearl (2022)". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  43. ^ "Cinemascore: Hollywood's Benchmark". Cinemascore. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  44. ^ "MaXXXine (2024)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  45. ^ "MaXXXine (2024". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
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