X (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
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Director Ti West
- James Gaylyn as Sheriff Dentler
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Mia Goth as Maxine, Pearl -
Martin Henderson as Wayne -
Owen Campbell as RJ
Also Starring in X
· 6 more- Jenna Ortega Lorraine
- Brittany Snow Bobby-Lynne
- Scott Mescudi
- Stephen Ure Howard
- Geoff Dolan Deputy
- Simon Prast Televangelist
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.
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).
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.
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IMDb 6.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 94% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 76%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 6.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
7K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$14.7M
15× its budget
- US & Canada
- $11.8M
- International
- $3M
- Budget
- $1M
X Trailers & Videos
12 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 7 clips and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Teaser TV Spot
- Clip Official Preview
- Clip "Church Mouse" Official Clip
- Clip "The Farmer's Daughters Intro" Official Clip
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year is the film 'X' set?
Cars in X
15 cars on screen, including the 1974 Dodge Tradesman and the 1984 Dodge Diplomat.
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1974 Dodge Tradesman Main role -
1984 Dodge Diplomat Minor role -
1959 Edsel Villager Minor role -
1955 GMC Blue Chip Minor role
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
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- X - A Sexy Horror Story
- X エックス
- ایکس, იქს
Seen X?
Movies Like X
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including SX_Tape, X: The Unknown and X-Cross.
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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