X (2022) #506

"X" is the first released film in a new trilogy by writer/director Ti West and starring Mia Goth in all three films. Chronologically, "X" is the middle film in the narrative and takes places in 1978, preceded by "Pearl" which takes place in 1918, and then the series wraps up with "Maxxine" in 1985. "X" and "Pearl" were filmed back-to-back during the height of Covid, allowing Ti West to make the most of the location that was used in both films. 

Maxine is girl who knows what she wants and quotes "I will not accept a life I do not deserve". She also declares "you're a fucking sex symbol" to her reflection in the mirror, right before leaving for a X-rated film shoot out at a remote farm. Coming along is her boyfriend Wayne, fellow exotic dancer Bobby-Lynne and her primary scene partner Jackson, and director RJ and his shy girlfriend Lorraine. After a misunderstanding with the property owner Howard, the crew quickly gets to work. With her scene coming up later in the day, Maxine walks around the property and runs into Pearl, Howard's wife. Invited into the house, Pearl becomes almost obsessive over Maxine, showing her an old picture from her youth where the two look nearly identical. Maxine is able to get out of the house right before Howard returns.

Pearl secretly watches Maxine film her sex scene in the barn, which entices her to seduce Howard. He says he can't, and this triggers Pearl's unhealthy murderous tendencies. Her first victim is RJ, who she finds after he decides to leave the project after Lorraine requests to be in the film with the others. Then one by one the group is separated. Waye is killed by Pearl in the barn, while Howard locks Lorraine in the basement and then takes Jackson out to the river under the pretense that they are looking for his confused wife. Pearl sneaks into bed while Maxine is sleeping and molests her. Pearl quickly leaves when Maxine wakes up screaming. Bobby-Lynne tries to help Pearl, who is standing on a dock naked, but Pearl pusher her into the river where a large alligator quickly kills the young woman.

Lorraine escapes the basement only to be killed by Howard using a shotgun. Howard dies as he and Pearl tries to move the body. Maxine narrowly misses being shot Pearl, how is thrown back by the kickback of the gun. Pearl is finally killed when Maxine drives the van over her head. It's only at the end that we learn that Maxine is the daughter of a popular tv preacher, who constantly shown on the tv throughout the film. 

"X" is comprised of some great talent such as Brittany Snow (Would You Rather) as Bobby-Lynne, Martin Henderson (The Ring) as Wayne, Jenna Ortega as Lorraine, and of course Mia Goth as Maxine. This film is Ti West's return to horror, having been nine years since he had made "The Sacrament".

Fun detail - Plowing Service is painted on the side of the van the group drives to the farm in, a humorous innuendo that add levity to a dark film.

Would You Rather (2012) #460

What would you do if you had the chance to become financially secure, freeing yourself and your family from overwhelming medical bills and stress. “Would You Rather” explores how far a young woman would attempt to endure to save herself and her brother from financial ruin and to get him the medical help he desperately needs. A dark psychological horror film starring Brittany Snow, Jeffrey Combs, and Robin Lord Taylor.

Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect) stars as Iris, a young woman struggling to find employment while taking care of her younger brother who is slowly dying from leukemia. They are unable to afford the cost for his treatment and the future seems dire. Her brother’s doctor introduces her to a philanthropist named Shepard Lambrick, who offers to take care of her debt as well as find a bone marrow donor for her brother. All she has to do is to come to his residence and play a evening of the game Would You Rather. Considering his generous offer, Iris agrees. 

Shepherd Lambrick, played by the amazing Jeffrey Combs “ “, “ “, and “ “, has assembled eight poor souls who are in desperate need of winning the grand prize at the end of the game. The guests joining Iris all have problems of their own which include an elderly paralyzed woman, a gambling addict, and alcoholic, and more. Shepherd’s son Julian and several butlers also join the group. The game begins during dinner when Shepherd offers Iris $10,000 to eat a steak and foie gras after learning that she is a vegetarian. She accepts the offer as she swallows her pride and principles. The game continues playing on the guests weaknesses, becoming more awful as the prize increases.

“Would You Rather” is a gruesome, chilling movie. It has a similar theme to others movies I’ve reviewed such as “Kindan No Osama Geemu” and “13 Sins”. Not quite torture porn, the film walks a fine line with its level of blood and violence. The games go dark very fast and never let up. That’s not to say that character development is a second thought. Some characters have chemistry with each other and bonds are made as they suffer together. My only disappointment, from a narrative standpoint, is the development of Julian. It felt like that there was more to his relationship with his father and their family history after a few subtle comments made early on in the film.