As wannabe porn star Maxine in the horror/dark comedy “X,” Mia Goth sets a record that will never be broken for most side-boob in a single movie. Part of a six-person cast-and-crew filming “The Farmer’s Daughters” in 1979, she wanders around a remote Texas farmstead wearing overalls without a shirt or bra.
Summer of 69 … erm, ’79
Goth’s sexuality proves thematically appropriate, but “X” is an R-rated film pretending to be X-rated. That’s tricky in this era when American MPA ratings are still prudish. Writer-director Ti West fakes it as best he can, using his allotted breast shots in the porn scenes featuring Goth and Brittany Snow (as Bobby-Lynne). He adds rubber-stamped nudity with wide overhead shots and blurry shadows.
Tensions between the porno’s filmmakers keep viewers in the headspace of sex. Cinematographer RJ (Owen Campbell) struggles with girlfriend/assistant Lorraine’s (Jenna Ortega, “Scream 5”) desire to co-star in a scene with well-endowed Jackson (Kid Cudi).
Director Wayne (Martin Henderson) — the fiancé of Maxine — pulls young RJ aside and informs him that Lorraine isn’t a nice girl … “because there are no nice girls.” With everyone defined by their sexual prowess (or lack thereof), “X” challenges us to see them as individuals rather than f*** puppets.
With Maxine dripping sex all over the screen, it’s an impossible challenge, but an interesting one — particularly when the theme extends to the nonagenarians in the property’s main farmhouse.
Texas massacre, sans chainsaw
In structure, “X” is a standard slasher – pulls from “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” are purposeful – but it stands apart because of what West piles atop the foundation. It reminds me of last year’s weird-science fright-fest “Malignant” in the way it features several scenes you won’t see in any ole slasher. “X” interlaces sex and horror to the best mainstream effect since 2015’s “It Follows.”
For better or worse, “X” doesn’t go all the way. West – who directed episodes of “The Exorcist” and “Scream: The TV Series” — likes his characters too much to brutalize them like Eli Roth would. Also, there’s something humorous about the threat of oldsters Howard (Stephen Ure) and Pearl (I won’t reveal the actress, because it’s a great surprise) – he with a faulty ticker, she with a bum hip.
West writes a smart screenplay — watch for Chekhov’s alligator – and sharply executes gory kills. But “X” is not quite brilliantly scripted – it only goes skin-deep on the rise of home video, Maxine’s cocaine use, and the notion of decent youths being lured into the devilish porn industry.
Sex and horror (Spoilers)
(SPOILERS FOLLOW.)
West’s core question is: “What if an old person (Pearl in this case) had the sex drive of a 20-something but was trapped in an ancient body?” That’s not totally ridiculous – some old people do desire sex and are sidelined because of their age.
There are probably other horror films about this idea, but none come to mind, so I credit West with originality. The execution is more funny than disturbing, though. The prosthetics and makeup are good, but it’s obvious these aren’t elderly actors. (Then again, do we want them to be?)
I’m a little disappointed that there isn’t a twist to the plot. Pearl is introduced as a sex fiend and she stays that way. And the notion that Pearl and Howard run a “Texas Chainsaw”-style scheme on their own is absurd.
As noted, there is a twist in the credits: Goth plays the role of Pearl! Even though Pearl doesn’t strike me as a “real” old woman, she’s creepy with her soft voice and behavior. No one will forget those bedroom sequences.
After discovering Goth’s double duty, I appreciate her acting skills even more – and I don’t think I’m entirely being tricked by her sexuality.