X 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

X 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

X is a sexy-as-hell slasher film set in the late 1970s. Executive produced by Scott Mescudi (Pearl, Entergalactic), Dennis Cummings (Entergalactic, Pearl), Ashley Levinson (Those Who Wish Me Dead, Pearl), Sam Levinson (Pieces of a Woman, Breaking), Karina Manashil (Pearl, Entergalactic), and Peter Phok (Like Me, The Innkeepers), X is an essential gem of modern horror filmmaking. Produced by Jacob Jaffke (Pearl, In a Valley of Violence), Harrison Kreiss (Waves, Pieces of a Woman), Kevin Turen (All Is Lost, Waves), and Ti West (The Innkeepers, Pearl), X received its world premiere screening at the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) in Austin, TX. X is the first part of a planned trilogy including Pearl and MaXXXine.

Aspiring porno star Maxine (Mia Goth), babe Bobby-Lynne (Brittany Snow), and stud Jackson (Kid Cudi) set out to make an adult film together. The porn actors are joined by Maxine’s producer boyfriend Wayne (Martin Henderson), amateur art-house pornographer RJ (Owen Campbell), and production assistant Lorraine (Jenna Ortega). As the film production crew sets out to make an adult film in rural Texas, the location is set at a run-down house owned by an elderly couple. Even production assistant Lorraine decides she wants to help star in the pornographic feature – to be a part of the show.

The seemingly perfect location for filming a dirty movie turns sinister as a sequence of events leads to the elderly couple beginning to terrorize the film crew while they are making their adult movie. As a series of grisly deaths begin to occur, the question remains: who will survive the night? Chaos and danger ensue in the dark recesses of Texas. To last the night, everyone is put to the test.

The cast make the film something truly special. The ensemble cast deliver fantastic performances and there are so many star-turning performances in the film. Mia Goth is an absolute delight as the tough and sexy aspiring porn star of the film. Goth carries herself with a sense of confidence that is clearly undeniable. Goth delivers such a powerhouse performance that she steals the entire show. A truly amazing star turn from the actress. Co-star Jenna Ortega is similarly great in the film and plays a blossoming sex symbol with her undeniable beauty and grace in the role. Ortega electrifies with her screen presence.

The production design by Tom Hammock (Pearl, The Guest) and art direction by Alex Falkner is one of the strengths of the feature. The design work gives the film a sense of authenticity that carries well throughout the production. Hammock is a talent and the effort here makes the eerie atmosphere established throughout the film all the more effective. The design effort impresses in spades and manages to help the material find the right balance of notes.

The costumes by Malgosia Turzanska (Pearl, The Green Knight) are noteworthy and these designs add some character to each of the core cast members. Without some snide remark about the costuming being second-fiddle to the removal of clothes, the designs by Turzanska are impressive and add an essence to each of the cast members. Great design work.

The cinematography by Eliot Rockett (The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers) is phenomenal and the stylish visuals enhance the filmmaking. Rockett is a longtime collaborator of the filmmaker at the helm. The cinematographic approach is highly stylized and manages to evoke the sex appeal of pornographic filmd while simultaneously managing to convey the grittiness of horror films and the experimentation found in arthouse.

The score composed by Tyler Bates (John Wick: Chapter 4, Watchmen) and Chelsea Wolfe (Dear Body, Crazy Love) adds to the thrill-ride. The score provides a good atmosphere for the terror that unfolds during the film. Both Bates and Wolfe provide great music for the film and the results are terrific. Outstanding work.

Written and directed by Ti West (The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers), who edited the feature alongside co- editor David Kashevaroff (The Devil Below, Significant Other), X marks another great showcase for the filmmaker. West is one of the most talented modern horror filmmakers. West is someone who continues to impress with each film and there is always something uniquely striking about West’s approach to cinema and horror filmmaking.

While X might not be an equal match to the sheer brilliance of instant-classic The House of the Devil, X is another first-rate and gripping horror film from the director. X oozes both style and sex appeal. The slasher aspect is another compelling part of the film. West understands the genre and audience expectations and runs with it.

X 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on 4K UHD, X is presented in 2160p HEVC / H.265 in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.90:1 widescreen. The feature- film is presented with an outstanding HDR grade. The high dynamic range presentation adds to the viewing experience. The color grading enhances both the light and dark elements of the screen.

For a feature-film with a decidedly dark atmosphere, X manages to retain its unique style without sacrificing excellent picture-quality. The transfer benefits from a healthy and high bit-rate of 73.36 mbps. The 4K UHD encode provides a noteworthy upgrade over the standard Blu-ray picture quality.

X 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English Dolby Atmos. The release is sourced from a 24-bit depth Dolby TrueHD audio core. The lossless encoding is remarkable on the release. Dialogue sounds crisp. An engaging lossless soundstage. The score and soundtrack are well reproduced. The dynamics are wonderfully clear and engaging. The surrounds are well utilized as well (with the Atmos audio impressing in spades). The atmospheric audio element adds a nice sense of directional sound to the experience and the horror sequences are all the more intense as a result.

X 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The 4K UHD was given a deluxe steelbook package. The 4K steelbook includes a stunning front cover and the artwork selection feels like a perfect match for the horror feature. The illustration (also used on a poster design) is fantastic and makes a huge impression. The art is certainly well selected and a nice component of the release. The back art showcases another key image from the promotional art – a image showcasing Mia Goth. The steelbook design looks beautiful and the release feels special in hand. Steelbook collectors will certainly want to consider this a worthwhile edition to own of the feature-film.

On disc supplements include:

The Farmers Daughters (HD, 4:54) is a sort of mini short-feature of the "film within the film" – this time of the adult production the cast and crew worked on during the main feature. It's a silly comedic piece mostly and a nice tie-in to the main film for those interested.

Making Of (HD, 11:37)

Becoming Pearl (HD, 1:31)

X Trailer (HD, 2:28)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other films: Gerda (HD, 1:55), The Innocents (HD, 2:21), The Sadness (HD, 1:12), and Wyrmwood: Apocalypse (HD, 1:57).

X 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

X is a gripping horror-thriller with an incredible ensemble cast led by star Mia Goth. Supporting actress Jenna Ortega delivers a first- rate performance as well. The entire cast exudes strong sex appeal – and the cast makes the porn element in the story all the more compelling as a result. A sexy cast and the performances were great. How can one resist X with a cast including both Mia Goth and Jenna Ortega?

The 4K UHD releases features a strong 2160p 4K UHD video presentation alongside an impressive Dolby Atmos sound mix. The release also includes a selection of extras. The collectors edition release also includes collectible steelbook packaging. A must-own release for fans. Highly recommended.