10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to X (2022)

Description: Like X (2022), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a gritty, visceral horror film that explores themes of isolation and the brutality of rural life. Both films feature a group of young people encountering terrifying violence in a remote setting, with a strong emphasis on practical effects and a raw, unsettling tone.

Fact: The film was inspired by real-life serial killer Ed Gein. It was made on a budget of around $300,000 and grossed over $30 million. The iconic Leatherface character was played by Gunnar Hansen, who had no prior acting experience.

Description: Suspiria (2018) and X (2022) both pay homage to classic horror while updating the genre with modern sensibilities. They share a focus on female protagonists and antagonists, with lush visuals and a strong emphasis on atmosphere. Both films also explore themes of art and performance intertwined with horror.

Fact: The film is a remake of Dario Argento's 1977 classic. It features a score by Radiohead's Thom Yorke. The dance sequences were choreographed by Damien Jalet, adding to the film's eerie beauty.

Description: The House of the Devil shares X (2022)'s love for retro horror aesthetics, as it is set in the 1980s and mimics the style of films from that era. Both movies build tension slowly, leading to explosive, violent climaxes. They also explore themes of paranoia and the vulnerability of young women in isolated settings.

Fact: Director Ti West also directed X (2022). The film was shot on 16mm film to achieve an authentic 80s look. It features a cameo by Dee Wallace, a veteran of 80s horror films.

Description: Pearl is a prequel to X (2022), sharing the same director, Ti West, and a similar retro aesthetic. Both films explore themes of obsession, violence, and the dark side of ambition, with Pearl delving deeper into the backstory of one of X's antagonists. The films also share a visual style that pays homage to classic horror cinema.

Fact: Pearl was shot back-to-back with X (2022). Mia Goth, who stars in both films, co-wrote the script for Pearl with Ti West. The film's score was composed by Tyler Bates and Chelsea Wolfe, adding to its eerie atmosphere.

Description: The Neon Demon shares with X (2022) a focus on the dark side of beauty and ambition, set against the backdrop of a competitive industry (modeling in The Neon Demon, adult film in X). Both films feature striking visuals and a surreal, nightmarish tone, with violence lurking beneath the surface.

Fact: Director Nicolas Winding Refn is colorblind, which influenced the film's vivid palette. Keanu Reeves has a small but memorable role. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to polarized reactions.

Description: The Babadook and X (2022) both explore the horror of repressed emotions and trauma, though The Babadook is more metaphorical. Both films feature strong female leads dealing with inner and outer demons, and both use horror as a lens to examine deeper psychological issues.

Fact: The Babadook became an unlikely LGBTQ+ icon. The film was director Jennifer Kent's feature debut. It was shot in Adelaide, Australia, on a modest budget.

Description: The Love Witch, like X (2022), is a homage to retro horror and exploitation films, with a vibrant, stylized aesthetic. Both films explore themes of female sexuality and power, though The Love Witch does so with a more satirical and campy approach.

Fact: Director Anna Biller also designed the costumes and sets. The film was shot on 35mm to emulate 60s and 70s technicolor. It took seven years to complete due to its meticulous production design.

Description: Hereditary shares with X (2022) a focus on family trauma and the supernatural, though it leans more into psychological horror. Both films feature shocking, graphic violence and a sense of inevitable doom, with strong performances driving the narrative.

Fact: Toni Collette's performance was widely praised but controversially snubbed by the Oscars. The film's climax features one of the most shocking scenes in modern horror. Director Ari Aster drew from his own experiences with grief to craft the story.

Description: The Lighthouse, like X (2022), is a period piece that delves into madness and isolation. Both films feature stunning black-and-white cinematography and intense performances, with a focus on psychological unraveling in a confined setting.

Fact: The film was shot on 35mm black-and-white film stock. Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe performed their own stunts, including eating raw eggs. The script was written in an archaic style to match the film's 19th-century setting.

Description: Midsommar, like X (2022), is a horror film that subverts expectations with its bright, daylight setting and slow-burn tension. Both films explore themes of cults, isolation, and the breakdown of relationships, with a focus on psychological horror and visceral imagery.

Fact: Florence Pugh's performance earned widespread acclaim. The film was inspired by director Ari Aster's own breakup. It features a meticulously constructed pagan ritual, with extensive research into Scandinavian folklore.