Netflix has been refreshing its ranking of the most-watched movies, and Ti West‘s “X” has once again become a trend, earning a place in the Top 10 in the United States, according to Flix Patrol.
When it premiered on the big screen in 2022, it was a sensation worldwide, particularly for its original and disturbing story and the themes it explores, which belong to the horror, suspense and action genres.
Mia Goth is the standout in the film and has been praised on several occasions for her portrayal of Pearl. Accompanied by Jenna Ortega and other stars like Kid Cudi, the plot is immersed in dark and even humorous tones.
X is the tenth most watched movie on Netflix US
X is not your typical slasher movie that audiences are accustomed to seeing; instead, its dark, obsessive, and eloquent narrative has made the sequel a global success. Now, it has returned to trend among American Netflix users, occupying the 10th position in the Top 10 in the United States.
Brittany Snow, Kid Cudi, Owen Campbell, Jenna Ortega and Mia Goth in X. (Source: IMDb)
According to the specialized metrics and platform site, Flix Patrol, the first movie of the trilogy starring Mia Goth has competed against other productions to earn a place in the current most-watched ranking, surpassing Dennis Quaid’s drama “The Hill” and other well-known titles.
The story of the film, produced by A24, follows a film crew that, in their attempt to shoot an adult film, begins to be stalked by an elderly couple on a rural Texas farm. The plot becomes more intense as the minutes pass, and the success was so great that six months later, the prequel Pearl was released.
Pearl is set 65 years before the events of X, in the same place: the disturbing farm. During the prequel, we see how this home is in good condition, while in the original installment, it is already deteriorated by the passage of time and the neglect of its protagonists, who have a great thirst for blood for those who do not lead a morally acceptable life.
As expected, the film garnered great positive reviews, praising the direction, performances, and the movie’s tributes to other seventies films. Several scenes contain well-known cultural references, and its dark yet articulate narrative has managed to make a mark within the industry, especially in the psychological horror genre.
Its budget was quite moderate, amounting to only $1 million. From there, salaries for the star-studded cast (including Jenna Ortega, Kid Cudi, Brittany Snow, Martin Henderson and Owen Campbell) and the set production costs were covered. However, its revenue was quite substantial, reaching $15.1 million.
How was Mia Goth’s iconic slasher scene filmed?
Being a rather violent story, the scenes resulted in quite graphic portrayals, leaving fans wondering about the behind-the-scenes process. Mia Goth takes center stage in one of these moments, alongside Owen Campbell, who portrays RJ.
In this scene, we witness Pearl stabbing him in the neck. According to the director’s revelations in interviews, a retractable knife, a neck prosthetic with a hole, and a tube allowing the flow of fake blood when cut were used.
The decapitation effect of RJ was successfully executed using a mannequin head, a stunt double, and a false floor. The stunt double performed the spasms, with their head and shoulders hidden, creating the illusion of the body contorting.
