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Horror film

X (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

X (2022) movie poster

X is a 2022 horror film directed by Ti West, starring James Gaylyn as Sheriff Dentler, Mia Goth and Martin Henderson. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $14.7 million worldwide on a $1 million budget. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$14.7M
Echo Score
89
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X (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Ti West
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$1M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is X About?

The premise of X without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A group of young filmmakers travel to rural Texas to film their next project on a secluded ranch. As they delve deeper into their work and get to know their mysterious hosts, they find themselves caught in a terrifying situation. The lines between reality and fiction blur as a sinister game of survival unfolds, and they must fight to escape the escalating danger.

X Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • aspiring porn star
  • senile woman
  • filming people having sex
  • sex without love
  • serial killer
  • televangelist
  • barn
  • farmhouse
  • woman swims nude
  • old age sex
  • husband wife relationship
  • alligator
+38 more
  • old woman
  • jealousy
  • wearing underwear outside
  • man walks outside wearing only underwear
  • demented woman
  • characters murdered one by one
  • pier
  • female voyeur
  • pumping gas
  • gas pump
  • watching someone through a window
  • film within a film
  • cocaine
  • cocaine addict
  • car in a swamp
  • adult film director
  • old age
  • low budget filmmaking
  • elderly killer
  • rural setting
  • adult filmmaking
  • slasher film
  • aspiring pornographer
  • porn producer
  • black man white woman sex
  • murder investigation
  • movie camera
  • cow
  • dead cow
  • farm
  • stepping on a nail
  • stabbed in the eye
  • cut finger
  • run over with a van
  • trapped in a cellar
  • locked in a cellar
  • female pervert
  • hiding under a bed
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Cast & crew

X Cast & Characters

James Gaylyn leads the cast as Sheriff Dentler, with Mia Goth as Maxine, Pearl and Martin Henderson as Wayne. Directed by Ti West; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in X

· 6 more
From the director

More from Ti West

More films directed by Ti West, best-rated first: Pearl, The House of the Devil, MaXXXine and In a Valley of Violence.

Full filmography
Ratings

X Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave X 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 89/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (78).

89 /100

X Echo Score Breakdown

The film delivers a compelling blend of classic slasher aesthetics and contemporary craftsmanship, positioning it as a standout entry in modern horror. Critics commend its precise direction, authentic period visuals, and a potent soundtrack that together create an immersive atmosphere. Viewers highlight strong performances, especially from the lead, and note a narrative that balances homage with fresh twists despite occasional pacing lulls. The consensus reflects high rewatchability, confirming the film's lasting appeal within the genre.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    Direction and visual execution are the film's primary strengths. Critics praise the director's exacting style and the period‑accurate cinematography that evokes 1970s grindhouse textures. Reviewers also note meticulous production design and a soundtrack that reinforces the atmospheric tension. Although a few comments mention occasional on‑the‑nose homage, the overall craftsmanship remains consistently high, underscoring a polished artistic presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Performances anchor the emotional core of the movie. Multiple reviewers highlight the lead actor's nuanced portrayal and the supporting cast's solid chemistry. The characters exhibit clear motivations, and their interactions add depth to the slasher framework. While one critic points to a less effective depiction of an elderly couple, the dominant sentiment praises the ensemble's ability to sustain audience engagement throughout the narrative.

  • Story & Flow 78

    The plot offers a fresh take on familiar slasher tropes, mixing originality with genre conventions. Critics acknowledge inventive twists and thematic layers concerning sexuality and aging. Some users observe a sluggish first act and uneven pacing that temporarily weakens momentum. Nonetheless, the story gains traction in later sections, delivering coherent escalation and a satisfying climax that reinforces its overall narrative effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    Sensory elements contribute strongly to the film's immersive quality. Reviewers commend the period‑appropriate soundtrack, effective sound design, and the gritty yet polished visual style. Practical effects add tangible realism to the violence, and the use of distinct aspect ratios enhances the viewing experience. Positive feedback dominates, with few criticisms, confirming a highly effective sensory execution.

  • Rewatch Factor 84

    Rewatch potential remains high due to the film's layered homage and engaging execution. Critics and users note its ability to entertain both on an initial viewing and upon subsequent screenings, citing nuanced details and memorable set pieces. While pacing issues are mentioned, they do not substantially diminish the enjoyment of repeat viewings. Overall, the film sustains lasting appeal that encourages audiences to return.

Plot

X Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in X from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In rural Texas during the chilling year of 1979, a shocking event unfolds as Sheriff Dentler (James Gaylyn) arrives at the scene of a gruesome crime. The sight is horrifying—an abandoned corpse lies beneath a cover in front of a house, with blood smeared across the porch. As Dentler approaches the interior of the house, a deputy urges him to witness something even more shocking, leaving him deeply unsettled.

Full summary

The whole story of X, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

X Box Office & Budget

X grossed $14.7 million worldwide on a $1 million budget, 15 times what it cost. $11.8 million came from the US and Canada and $3 million (20%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$14.7M

15× its budget

US & Canada
$11.8M
International
$3M
Budget
$1M
US & Canada 80% Rest of the world 20%
Videos

X Trailers & Videos

12 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 7 clips and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 12 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser TV Spot
  • Clip Official Preview
  • Clip "Church Mouse" Official Clip
  • Clip "The Farmer's Daughters Intro" Official Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know X?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year is the film 'X' set?

Cars

Cars in X

15 cars on screen, including the 1974 Dodge Tradesman and the 1984 Dodge Diplomat.

All 15 cars
  • 1974 Dodge Tradesman in X 1974 Dodge Tradesman Main role
  • 1984 Dodge Diplomat in X 1984 Dodge Diplomat Minor role
  • 1959 Edsel Villager in X 1959 Edsel Villager Minor role
  • 1955 GMC Blue Chip in X 1955 GMC Blue Chip Minor role
Details

X Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “Икс” and “엑스”.

Also known as
  • Икс
  • 엑스
  • איקס
  • X - Le film
  • X - Der Film
  • Horror X
  • אקס
  • X: A Marca da Morte
  • 恐怖X档案
  • Dự Án Đẫm Máu
  • Ікс
  • 恐怖X檔案
+3 more
  • X - A Sexy Horror Story
  • X エックス
  • ایکس, იქს

Seen X?

FAQ

X FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of X, each answered in a sentence.

How long is X?

X runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was X released?

X was released on March 18, 2022.

Who directed X?

X was directed by Ti West.

More films by Ti West

Who is in the cast of X?

X stars James Gaylyn as Sheriff Dentler, Mia Goth as Maxine, Pearl and Martin Henderson as Wayne, among 10 credited actors.

How much did X make at the box office?

X grossed $14.7 million worldwide ($11.8 million domestic, $3 million international) on a budget of $1 million.

How is X rated?

X has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does X have a post-credit scene?

Yes. X has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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