X Ending Explained (Spoilers)

In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast find themselves fighting for their lives.

X: Spoilers Below

The horror movie "X" is about a film crew that arrives at a farm in Texas to shoot a porn movie in the late 1970s. The director, RJ, believes that the movie will be a work of art. However, the young group remains largely unaware of Pearl's covetous presence in the next-door farmhouse, seemingly blinded by their ambitions to capitalize on a burgeoning home video porn industry. As night falls, Pearl's lustful intent becomes violent, with Maxine, Lorraine, Wayne, Jackson, Bobby-Lynne, and RJ forced to deal with the horrors of Pearl's jealousy.

The movie's final scenes tie up the story, bringing audiences back to the events shown at the beginning. By the end, only two people are left alive, with one hiding under a bed and the other locked in a basement. Pearl and Howard, after having just killed some people, have sex. Finally, Maxine manages to escape and find Lorraine.

However, when Maxine releases Lorraine from her basement prison, Lorraine reacts impulsively, unjustly blaming her promiscuity for the atrocities that have taken place across X's runtime. Terrified, confused, and hysterical, Lorraine tries to escape from the farmhouse on foot but is instead shot by Howard. The film's climax sees Lorraine's final gasp scare Howard and provoke the heart attack he has long feared. In response to the death of her husband and confidante, Pearl tries to shoot Maxine with Howard's shotgun; however, the power of the blast knocks her back, breaking her hip. As Pearl lays weakened on the ground, asking for help, Maxine chooses to avenge her murdered friends by reversing over Pearl's head with RJ's van.

The sheriff and his deputies arrived at the house to find the bodies of the "intruders" that Howard had called about. However, they soon discovered RJ's film camera and began to wonder what was on the footage, indicating that Pearl and Howard's deception would quickly be discovered. The film culminates in a shocking revelation: Maxine is the daughter of a conservative Christian whose local preacher-style speeches have played on Pearl and Howard's fuzzy television throughout the movie.

Who Is Maxine's Father (& What It Means)

What a twist! Maxine's father is revealed to be the local televangelist at the end of X. On-screen, the Christian preacher reveals that he is Maxine's father and subsequently prays for her to return to the family and God. The themes of religion and redemption are repeated throughout the film. The protagonist often says, "I will not accept a life I do not deserve" - a sentiment taken from Mark 10:15 in the Bible.

Maxine's discovery of her roots strengthens her sense of self and gives her a new sense of purpose. The ending is unclear, but Maxine probably heads to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming a star.

The Real Meaning of X's Ending

While it may initially appear to be a classic slasher story, with the final girl overcoming the murderers and escaping, Ti West's new horror is interwoven with more symbolism than one might initially expect. The symmetry of Maxine killing Pearl is representative of a natural life cycle, with the new outlasting the old. Pearl is obsessed with youth and beauty, which she can never have again, and Maxine constantly rejects her advances. In the end, Pearl represents outdated conventions while Maxine represents change. Even though they constantly butt heads, change is inevitable and always wins in the end.

X Ending Explained (Spoilers) - ALL HORROR Tweet it