★★★½

Writer/director Ti West (The Sacrament) presents X, in yet another outing in the horror genre for which he is known. The film is a clever and artsy twist on the serial killer theme with a genuine feel for the time it is set in.

It’s 1979, and strip club owner Wayne (Martin Henderson) sees an opportunity to make money in the budding home video porn market. He gathers a small cast consisting of his girlfriend Maxine (Mia Goth), Jackson (Kid Cudi), and Bobby-Lynne (Brittany Snow). RJ (Owen Campbell) and his girlfriend Lorraine (Jenna Ortega) act as the film crew. With everyone he needs assembled, Wayne heads to a boarding house he’s rented in Texas. When they arrive, the elderly landowner Howard (Stephen Ure) seems odd, but Wayne and company proceed as planned. But as the day turns to evening, Howard and his wife go from strange to murderous, and the film crew finds themselves in a fight for their lives.

West doesn’t hesitate to jump right into the true flavor of 1970s horror films, with a script that pays homage to the best of them. His creepy location, use of interesting camera angles, and careful use of his cast set the mood for the impending sinister acts. Initially, the buildup of tension and terror is slow. However, it is a thrill ride destined to become a cult classic once the story gets going. There are some moments when West tries a little too hard to make the movie artsy, and these become distracting. But overall, the script is tight and fresh, with some new ideas that keep it entertaining and disturbing. Supporting West is a cast of actors that all rise to the occasion. Goth leads, keeping the film on pace. Ure is particularly creepy as the doddering veteran of both world wars. It should also be noted that Ortega might have the best queen scream in the world, twisting her mouth into a horrified expression as she shrieks.

The settings are meticulously selected, from the strip club in the opening scene to the remote and dilapidated farmstead where most of the action takes place. Every aspect of the farm: the house, the boarding house, the barn, and the pond, foreshadows a sense of real danger. As the film progresses, they don’t disappoint, either.

X is a film that is equally awesome and awful – but in good ways. Clever, fun, and horrifying, fans of 70s and 80s horror should love it. When it comes to building climax and terror, this film proves there is no age restriction.