This score typically reflects a viewer who appreciated the technical craft but felt the story was derivative or overly gruesome.

Worth a play on a deep sale, but don't expect a masterpiece. Summary of a 5.6/10 Rating

X is undeniably a love letter to 70s slasher cinema, with Valerie Complex of Deadline Hollywood noting director Ti West's unapologetic execution. The film shines in its "dreamy, haunting overhead shots" and surprising moments of tenderness, as highlighted by A.O. Scott for The New York Times. However, for many, the "surface-level entertainment" doesn't quite justify the excessive gore. Unlike the masterpieces it references, critics like Dmitry Samarov of the Chicago Reader argue it lacks a deeper point, often punishing characters for laughs rather than meaningful stakes.