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.

Superhost (2021) #505

"Superhost", a Shudder Original Film, was a delightful surprise that I completely love. I had heard a few rumors about the film before I saw it for the first time, and I'm so happy that I followed their advice. The film has a simple straight forward story that has a flawless execution, a topical and well used premise, and a stellar cast. Filmed during the height Covid, the cast of five prove to be more than enough to keep the story moving and the movie entertaining. The photography is crystal clear, the background music supports the scenes without ever overwhelming the moment, and the pacing is perfect. I highly recommend this film for this Halloween season and beyond.

Claire and Teddy are the hosts of a once popular Vlog dedicated to reviewing Airbnb's and other lodgings. They're losing subscribers, so their next review is extremely important, as Claire does not want to rely on her parents for any kind of financial support. They arrive at a remote house that appears gorgeous on the outside, but that's all they can see when the security code they've been provided fails. Trying to call the hosts prove fruitless to the spotty phone reception in the mountains. While recording a scene for the Vlog, Rebecca shows up, the supposed owner of the house, and lets them in. Rebecca seems a little odd but harmless, and once she leaves, Clair and Teddy begin recording their review. They love most of the house but find the overabundance of security cameras all throughout the house concerning.

Tension begin to simmer, first when Claire becomes frustrated with the quality of their first upload and the possibility that their Vlog channel has peaked, and then when Teddy sees a person standing outside at night, starring at the house. During the next day during a walk, Claire suggests they make videos like they used to, videos that had friction with the hosts, but Teddy disagrees by saying that those felt like click-bait; click-bait or not, those videos brought in clicks. This comes back to haunt them when Vera, a previous host tracks them done and confronts them in the driveway. When Rebecca shows up to see what the disturbance is all about, Vera tells her how they gave her a horrible review that ruined her business to the point that she has to sell her house. Rebecca tells Vera to leave or she'll call the cops, but when Vera tries to persuade Rebecca to be careful with the vloggers, Rebecca screams that she'll cut Vera open. Vera speeds away and Rebecca is back to her happy self, saying that she's ready for her super host interview. During the recording, Rebecca's behavior slowly becomes odd and erratic but ends when Rebecca recovers from a trance and announces that she is a super host!

The next day while hiking through the rails, Claire takes the opportunity to record their experience with Vera much to Teddy's chagrin. When they reach a gorgeous lookout point, Teddy sets the camera up and proposes to Claire, something that he had been planning to do from the start of the trip. She acts excited and says yes, only to tell Teddy that he was a genius for such a gimmick, breaking his heart. Seeing how distraught he is, Claire tries to reassure him that they will talk about their future when they get home, and everything she does is for them. When they return to the house, they begin to find evidence that they home may not belong to Rebecca. They agree that they should leave, they pack up and try to drive away, only to be stopped by Rebecca who is standing in the road. Highly erratic, she makes them follow her into the woods where she leads them to Vera, who is tied up to a tree. 

Why is Vera here, tied to the tree? What happened to the original owners? Who really is Rebecca and what does she want with Claire and Teddy? And will Claire and Teddy make it home alive and safe?

The movie stars Sara Canning as Claire, Osric Chau as Teddy, and Gracie Gillam, (Fright Night), as Rebecca. Horror icon Barbara Crampton, (Re-Animator, From Beyond, and others) has a supporting role as Vera. As I mentioned, all four actors give a phenomenal performance that I really enjoyed. The story arc has the twist and turn in all the right places, keeping the film moving at a nice quick pace.