The EXXXtradinary Trilogy

“I will not accept a life I do not deserve!”  

I want this mantra engraved on my tombstone. 

Ti West’s X trilogy refines horror with its thematic and stylistic diversity. Beginning with X, set in rural Texas, Ti West blends sudden and gruesome deaths with social commentary on sexual liberation, creating a modern slasher classic. The prequel, Pearl is set during WW1 and the Spanish influenza, shifts gears to a character driven narrative exploring ambition and isolation. Finally, Maxxxine explores 80s Hollywood through a lens of satanic panic and crime drama, offering a nostalgic yet fresh take on the era. The trilogy shows off West’s bold storytelling and thematic exploration by delivering narratives that resonate from the traditional genre boundaries,  which makes the X trilogy a campy and bloody addition to contemporary horror cinema.   

In 2022 Ti West introduces the horror world to A24’s X, which follows an adult film crew set out to make a film in the middle of nowhere rural Texas but when the two elderly hosts catch them they find themselves in danger. The kills are done well and so entertaining with Ti West using his kills as very sudden and gruesome. The perfect amount of gore for this kind of movie making it a classic type of slasher that fits the period. This movie is surrounded by sexuality and sex scenes that never felt too gratuitous and separate the social commentary that is made. The juxtaposition of the film crew and actors with the judgmental, prudish old couple is commentating on the sexual liberation that happened in the 70’s and the intergenerational conflict that can still be applied to the present day. 

I wanted to highlight the cast because it's one of the best things that strengthens X. Kid Cudi stars as Jackson who is the only adult film star on set, and he gives an incredible job in this role. Brittany Snow surprised me as an adult film star showing off her versatility from other horror movies and the Pitch Perfect series. Martin Henderson is no stranger to horror as he starred in The Ring, so it was nice to see him again channeling this hard manager type. Jenna Ortega became Gen Z’s scream queen which could not be more exciting. I am so happy to see her presented with new roles and stepping out to dominate this genre. Lastly, I have to mention the standout, the ultimate star that is Mia Goth. She has such a unique look to her and fits this role because everyone around her is telling her that she has something special and manifesting stardom. Also, Mia Goth plays two roles in this, Maxine as well as the older lady Pearl, going through one hell of a transition to play her. The characters that these actors embody just make the film believable and fun. 

The second installment of this trilogy, Pearl which is a prequel to X follows Pearl who is trapped on her family’s isolated farm Pearl must take care of her father along with the overbearing watch of her mother. She wants a glamorous life like she's seen in the movies. Pearl deals with her morals, ambitions, and aspirations in this origin story. This takes place during WW1 in 1918 and the time of the Spanish Influenza which is a great background to have about the Covid-19 pandemic showing masks and showing distancing. It’s weird to have two of these movies come out in 2022 with people questioning their sense of time being thrown off because a prequel in the same year as the original movie which is unheard of and takes a risk. Mia Goth and Ti West wrote the script together during a two-week required quarantine so she is credited as a writer and producer for Pearl. The cinematography, the editing, the score, and the opening credit text reflect the era this film takes place in and immerses you in that period. I love the classic transitions and the great homages to old Hollywood movies. Pearl’s technicolor world is slower pacing with less gore and more character-driven than X was. This film is all about Pearl and is a hard character study behind someone who is isolated and fights an internal battle for wanting more for herself. 

Mia Goth’s performance was arguably snubbed by critics in this film. The scene at the end where Pearl has a monologue and this is done in only one take is beyond incredible, I got chills so many times and wish I could watch it for the first time again. I am not going to lie that I found myself to relate to her story in what she expresses in the monologue. Of course, I don’t agree with murder and what she does in the film but the feelings that she expresses as she covers her life story is something that audiences relate to. Wanting a better life for yourself, starving for more and living unsatisfied resonated with me. Pearl is one of my favorite horror characters that we have gotten in a long time but probably my favorite in horror media ever to be written. She is one of the most original and authentic villains that still has a heavy backstory that I have just become obsessed with. I give Pearl 10 stars all the way and I can't fault it in any way.  

Maxine proves to be the most anticipated out of the three which may lead to the ratings being lower than the others because there is more room for error. When audiences have an expectation it’s easier to be disappointed, this film has been receiving mixed reviews because of the hype and critics and audiences being let down by it, however as for me, I felt the opposite where my expectations were a little low because the 80s is overdone, especially in horror.

The movie shows Maxine trying to get a part in this sequel from a movie that plays into satanic panic which connects to Maxine and centers around the killings going on in the world with a serial killer on the loose and a crime going up. The first act is probably my favorite. The beginning of this movie was so fun like the song choices, the opening credits, the montage, just a great amount of exposition given. The movie is a fan service for people who enjoy crime dramas from the 80s and more so it does not replicate what horror movies were like in the 80s. This has a mystery whodunit edge while relocating the idea of what 80s Hollywood is rather than enhancing a horror from the period. I do feel like because we have many characters in this the story kind of wavered at points where I started to question the plot instead of getting into the fun horror elements that I did not feel wowed me too much. However, I love the character Maxine so much and she is truly a badass so it; 's easy to stay hyped throughout the film but it is made for fans that like this subgenre of horror crime dramas that like that style replicated instead of anything new that X and Pearl that brought a greater message.

Overall, I think that because of the wait around this release fans of this trilogy were waiting for something grand, and although there are some surprises in this it didn't cement itself as being on the same wave as the previous film. Even after all these critics, I can’t help myself be so in awe of someone like Mia Goth who has become one of my favorite actors in the last two years and I will be following her acting. She is a threat to other actors amongst so many and her performance in Pearl alone is just legendary. The X trilogy deserves all the recognition in an era where we do not see original movies being made to continue into something like this. Ti West has successfully created the most tonally different trilogies I’ve ever seen and made his mark in the horror genre. 

Written By Daniel Rojas 

Graphic By Katelynn Herrera

Bad Daddy LongLegs!

Longlegs is dark and atmospheric, catching me off guard from what I expected based on its marketing. It unfolds like a chilling police procedural mixed with eerie tones of Silence of the Lambs and The Exorcist III. I am neutral regarding slow burns, but the gradual buildup of dread throughout the film is incredibly effective. Director Oz Perkins ensures every set design is hauntingly beautiful. The choice of how much of Nicholas Cage to reveal to sign empty spaces for suspense enhanced the film and had me questioning as the movie progressed. The simple camera movements with tense scores and sharp sounds made my heart race. Maika Monroe delivers my favorite performance of hers to date. Monroe portrays Lee Harker with awkwardness, fear, and determination. She's an underrated horror heroine. Nicholas Cage shines as well in this unhinged and terrifying character. It's also refreshing to see Alicia Witt in a horror role and delivering a stone-cold preference as Lee's religious mother. 

In the film, a series of murders occur six days before or after the 14th of each month and coincide with a daughter's 9th birthday in each family. These killings are done by the father with no sign of an intruder but are always accompanied by a coded letter with the sign "LONGLEGS". The protagonist, Agent Lee Harker, is drawn into this disturbing pattern. Oz Perkins skillfully builds an eerie atmosphere that intensifies as Harker delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the murders, culminating in a climax with much anxiety in the film's final act. I think Longlegs is a powerful story about family trauma, mainly how it affects children even after their family falls apart.

The production design was probably my favorite thing about this film. All the walls were dark and wooden, with very gray coloring that fits the story, so each setting connects and nothing feels out of place. I enjoy how it captures rural northern America. It makes me not want to take a road trip up there, especially at night. The film is just so visceral and original with its cult religious elements that may scare audiences depending on growing up religious, which can play questioning one's upbringing and remembering fears they once had tied to religion. Even when something scary was not happening on screen, it was still palpable, and you can feel the anxiety that Lee has because you don't know where this case might lead.    

This film is a meaningful addition to the horror genre. As someone who watches a lot of horror, I feel desensitized to most things, but this genuinely scared me. I felt like a weight of something indescribably sinister, dragging my body down where I had my legs up to my chest and held onto them in the theater, convincing myself to relax. What struck me most about Longlegs is how it delves into the impact that family dynamics can have on a child. The film's mechanics effectively show how often children become vessels for unresolved darkness within their families. Perkins crafts a narrative rich in atmosphere and suspense, drawing inspiration from iconic thrillers while forging its path of psychological mystery. The film's attention to detail and the unsettling characters add layers of depth, navigating themes of family and the supernatural. Longlegs leaves a lasting impression by delving into human darkness, and the impact family bonds can have on us. Through its storytelling, standout performances, and thought-provoking themes, Longlegs lives up to the hype and invites audiences to confront an unsettling mystery of the haunting human psyche, solidifying a well-deserved place in the horror genre. 

Written By Daniel Rojas   

Cinematic Hush! Tip Toeing into A Quiet Place Day One

The A Quiet Place franchise continues to impress as this film forges new territory by taking the audience back to the beginning of the alien invasion that told the word to STFU! Much like its predecessors, A Quiet Place: Day One is a tense thriller with much heart. This film features more dialogue than previous entries, given that it shows the hours just before a meteor shower brings the deadly predators, Death Angels. The majority of the plot and character development is advanced sans characters speaking. It is impressive how tense this movie makes sound and how well the performances of our two leads invests one in the outcome of their journey.

Not connecting with the prior two movies set in remote parts of the United States, this film is set in a densely populated city with millions on the small island of Manhattan.  This creates an interesting scenario as the Death Angles are not able to leave Manhattan due to their inability to swim, as we learned in A Quiet Place II, and any living soul trapped on this island is silently screwed with all bridges down.

The film shows joint star power by Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn, giving intense emotional performances and beautiful chemistry. Despite minimal dialogue and a tiny cast, they both sell terror and drama, making memorable sequences and moments that add some light humor, a natural human way to cope with all the violence throughout the film. Of course, I can't forget to mention the real star of this movie, Frodo. Frodo is a cute black-and-white bundle of joy and stress throughout the film. This cat practically steals the show, and audiences will connect to the cat just as much as our leads.  

Director Michael Sarnoski had a challenging task to take from the previous films but also came up with a fresh perspective. His style is highly admirable, considering the much larger scale and in a different setting. Luckily, I was able to experience the film in IMAX and took impressive shots. The cinematography does a great job of presenting the storytelling that this series is known for. The loud projection of IMAX made the theater silent; no one got up to go to the bathroom, and no one ate loudly; it was almost like we all thought the monsters would come through the walls. Overall, I believe that is because Michale Sarnoksi can showcase an atmosphere of suspense, intensity, and death. 

One theme from the film is that we don't give many things in life much thought because we take them for granted. These items make us happy and unite humans instead of focusing on individualism. It may be as easy as sharing a drink with someone, taking a walk, listening to music, or, in this case, Lupita’s character indulging in a few pieces of her favorite pizza from her childhood for the last time. It’s something she shared with her family before their demise and shows this depth of the character where the movie shines emotionally. Showing a real human narrative increases awareness of what we currently have in our lives. My take on this terrifying and dramatic story is that it makes the most of our short time on this Earth, and it focuses partially on the importance of human connection. 

Written by Daniel Rojas