X's Ending, Explained (2024)

Ti West's 2022 slasher X is about adult filmmakers staying in the Texas guesthouse belonging to a creepy elderly couple, and the ending is as pitch-perfect as the rest of the movie. From the beginning, it's clear that this is a unique and fresh take on the popular subgenre. Instead of a forgettable villain in yet another mask and costume, Pearl and Howard (Stephen Ure) are the killers, and Goth plays both the final girl Maxine Minx and the movie's villain.

The X prequel, Pearl, was released in September 2022 to much praise for Goth's performance and her origin story. The last moments of X are chilling and memorable, and there are many reasons why horror fans were so impressed with the movie.

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What Happens In X?

Ti West's impressive horror movie X follows Wayne Gilroy (Martin Henderson) as he films an adult movie at Howard and Pearl's country property. RJ Nichols (Owen Campbell), Jackson Hole (Scott Mescudi), Bobby-Lynn Parker (Brittany Snow), Lorraine Day (Jenna Ortega), and Maxine can tell that something is off about this place, but they forge ahead because they all dream of stardom.

From the moment that the filmmakers stay on the property, they feel a creepy and strange vibe. Maxine goes into Howard and Pearl's house and when Pearl stares at her too much and touches her face, Maxine wonders if it's safe to stay here. The film showcases some unhappy relationships, with Maxine sleeping with Wayne because she wants to be famous and Lorraine realizing that RJ doesn't respect or understand her.

X was one of the strongest 2022 horror movies because of the great characters and surprising moments of this slasher film. As Howard and Pearl kill the characters off one by one, Maxine stays strong and tries to protect herself, and she's fascinating in every scene because she's so sure of herself.

How Does X End?

The X ending proves why this is one of Jenna Ortega's best horror movies. Howard shoots her right in the head after she has been trapped in Howard and Pearl's basem*nt. Before she dies, she freaks him out by moving, and he has a fatal heart attack. Up until the very end, Ortega plays Lorraine as a perceptive and brilliant person who others underestimate. Even though she doesn't succeed, she does her very best to beat Howard and Pearl, and is a joy to watch the entire time.

Maxine also shines in the X ending, and Mia Goth's dual role is impressive. When Pearl breaks her hip on the front porch of her house, she wants Maxine to save her. Maxine, determined to survive and escape this terrible place, gets into her car and runs Pearl over. When the police ask what happened at this house the next day, Sheriff Dentler (James Gaylyn) says that the filmmakers must have made "one godd*mn f*cked up horror picture." This is one of the most memorable slasher movie quotes and a flawless, hilarious final line.

The X ending also shares a twist: Maxine's father is a preacher and she left home because she didn't want to live by his strict rules anymore. Howard and Pearl kept their TV on throughout the story tuned to his sermons.

The image of Maxine driving away is one of the most powerful and intelligent of the whole movie. X showcases Maxine as a true final girl, the type of character who knows from the first sign of trouble that she will make it through, even if no one else does. Jenna Ortega is great at the horror genre, and at first, it seems like perhaps Lorraine will be the final girl here. Her basem*nt scene and chilling scream are some of the most memorable elements of X.

But the X ending proves that no one but Maxine could be left standing at the end of the story. Her desire to stay alive so she can become rich, successful, and famous is super strong. No one can take that away from her.

What Will X's Sequel Be About?

Pearl is the perfect prequel because it examines the origins of this desperate, dark, and unique character, and the X sequel MaXXXine is up next. While there is no official release date yet, this will be the next entry in Ti West's X trilogy.

MaXXXine will tell the next part of Maxine's story as she begins living in Los Angeles and tries to be a famous actor. Since she has experienced some major trauma by the ending of X, it's clear that she will be haunted by what has happened to her, as surviving her friends and co-workers getting brutally murdered isn't easy. Mia Goth talked about MaXXXine and said "It's the biggest story of the three with the highest stakes," which definitely makes it hard to wait to watch it.

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