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ByCarolyn Jenkins
A24's golden reign of horror films continues with the upcoming genre movie "X."
A24 — the independent production company that is responsible for gems such as "Midsommar," "Hereditary," and "The Witch" — has carved a niche for itself by releasing movies that display specific perspectives withextreme emotional resonance. "Midsommar," for instance, was an examination of toxic relationships, while "The Witch" was — when you look at the big picture — a dark coming of age story, about a young woman finding herself ... all with the inclusion of ritual murder.
"X" is the movie that's up next on A24's list of prestige horror, andjudging from the trailer, the new release has many elements working for it. In addition to its commitment to a certain aesthetic and time period, "X" is directed by one of the best horror directors of the modern era, Ti West, who was responsible for the well-regarded film "House of the Devil," which is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Here are the details you need to know about "X,"and why it will be required viewing for horror fans around the world.
You won't have to wait too long for X to arrive
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Ti West's new film "X" has been kept relatively under wraps, up until now. One thing that is certain is that the film's release isn't too far away:Billboard reports that "X" will be brought to theaters on March 18th.
A theater release is something that West has not seen in some time. The director has been noted for his contribution to horror films, but recently, he has spent more of his creative energy on directing television series. For example, West has directed episodes of "Wayward Pines," "Scream: The TV Series," and most recently, Lena Waithe's Amazon series "Them," the latter of which is a horror series revolving around a Black family moving to Los Angeles in search of a better life, only to encounter horrors both earthbound and supernatural.
That means that "X" marks West's major return to the big screen, and fans will soon be able to see if it lives up to his previous films, such as"House of the Devil," "The Sacrament," and "The Innkeepers."
The cast is packed with horror actors
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"X" has a stacked cast of actors with many years in the entertainment industry. Many of these performers are already very experienced in the horror realm.
One of the more notable actors of the ensemble cast is Brittany Snow. She has shown her penchant for humor as well as drama, getting her start in "Nip/Tuck" and being cast in all three "Pitch Perfect" films. Joining her is well-known rapper and producer Kid Cudi: Going by his birth name Scott Macudi in the trailer, Macudi is not new to the acting scene, as he has appeared in critically acclaimed HBO series "Westworld" as Caleb's departed best friend who was revived in the form of AI. Mia Goth appears as Maxine in the trailer, as well. She is also a horror veteran, having appeared in "Suspiria" and "A Cure For Wellness."
Fellow horror actress Jenna Ortega also stars, following up on her recent appearance in the new "Scream" film. The cast also includes Owen Campbell ("The Americans") and "Virgin River" star Martin Henderson.
The film is literally a horror show
Buckle up, horror fans, because the new Ti West feature looks tobe just as bloody — and disturbing — as his previous films. "X" will also pay homage to horror films of the 1970s, and it will thus take into consideration all of the tropes that come with that setting (likely with some bold new twists).
As far as the plot goes: "X" is a period horror film, focusing on a group of actors in the 1970s who are looking for a location in rural Texas to shoot their adult film. Maxine (Mia Goth) is aiming to be the star of the project. Of course, the film crew runs into trouble when they encounter the owner of the location they'll be staying at. And soon, as the group starts to film their movie, they find that nothing is as it appears to be: The landlord's wife, who lives next door, is insinuated to have some sort of dementia but as time goes on, it looks as though there may be something far more horrific happening around the movie shoot (via Collider).
Early previews have only teased at thetrauma and nightmarish murders that viewers can expect, but based on all the talent involved in the film, this is certainly going to be a must-see for horror fans.
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