X 2022

Non spoiler thoughts (summary): I experience X as a more straightforward slasher companion to Pearl. It leans heavier on shocks and gore, while the real interest comes from how it mirrors Pearl’s insecurities later in life rather than just functioning as a random body count movie. ⚠️ Spoilers ahead. From here on, plot details are discussed. Read on if you’ve seen the film. If not, save this post and come back after. ⚠️ I watched this after Pearl. It was not originally on my list, but I read somewhere on Letterboxd that Pearl is a prequel to X, so I got curious and followed it up immediately. I think Ti West really likes incorporating religious dogma and character studies of human complexity, especially in the ending where it almost feels like a form of “divine intervention”. This one is definitely hornier and bloodier than Pearl. For me, Pearl still carries the same fear of rejection into her old age, and she ends up killing those who reject or disgust her, which makes her violence feel like a continuation of her insecurity rather than just random slasher behavior. There is a night and day difference between Pearl and X. This one relies a lot more on jump scares, while Pearl leans more into tension and performance. I still like Pearl better because it feels more creative and the acting carries the horror more strongly than the shocks.