1979, Texas. A group of first time adult film makers head out to an isolated farm to make the movie of a lifetime. However their elderly hosts are not as welcoming as they would like. 

Writer/Director Ti West’s X is a knowing and fun tribute to low budget horror films of the 1970’s. The obvious touch point is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre which it seems to emulate for quite a few of its early scenes. But the film specifically cites Psycho as well in a conversation between its main characters about a film pivoting its plot line mid movie, which of course is what happens here. And The Shining fans should also look out for a scene involving a hatchet and a door. 

Exotic bar owner Wayne (Martin Henderson) has hired out the farm guest house so that he can make a film that will make them all rich. His stars include his girlfriend Maxine (Mia Goth), his best worker Bobby Lynne (Brittany Snow) and her boyfriend Jackson (Kid Cudi). Whilst RJ (Owen Campbell) directs the film with his girlfriend Lorraine (Jenny Ortega) acting as sound engineer. RJ of course is just like Burt Reynolds character in Boogie Nights and believes that he can make a “good dirty movie”. 

Whilst the first day of filming initially goes well a misunderstanding with the desires of their elderly hosts result in some grizzly murders. Prior to this though the film sets up some nice little plot points that will pay off later and builds some nice early dread. One scene in particular that involves an aerial shot of a lake, a pontoon, a single naked swimmer and an alligator is particularly exhilarating. 

Whilst the look and feel of the film help immensely to set it apart. True to its title and content the film has a grindhouse low budget feel whilst the murders and gore on offer are both inventive and bloody. 

The young cast are all round exceptional whilst their older counterparts are suitably creepy. The result is an effective and brilliant horror flick.