Thanks to the memorable deaths, solid story, and incredibly well-developed characters, Ti West’s horror movie X has won over audiences. With the good news about the X prequel Pearl coming up, fans are excited to learn more about this character who is so layered. Ti West recently participated in a Reddit AMA and shared more about the experience of making this well-received film, and his answers will inspire anyone who enjoys scary movies and wants to learn more about the creative process of making them.
From spilling about his writing process to some details about Pearl, Ti West has answered several interesting questions and fans of the movie will want to learn more about it.
Ti West Teased The Release Date For Pearl
Sometimes a prequel is better than the first movie, but X is such a well-told story that it seems likely that Ti West’s X prequel Pearl will be the same high quality.
When a fan asked if Pearl could come out in 2022, Ti West said, “anything is possible.” Horror fans are definitely excited to check out this upcoming film that will allow fans to learn more about Pearl’s history.
The Director Shared His Favorite Scene
When asked what his favorite moment in the movie was to film, Ti West said, “the big scene in the bunkhouse where everyone sits around chatting was the most fun.”
This is a great scene as Bobby-Lynne and Jackson beautifully perform the classic Fleetwood Mac song “Landslide,” and the characters also talk about their views on adult films. Lorraine is confused at first but then shares that she would love to film a scene, making this a crucial plot point.
Ti West Named Some Horror Movies He Loves
It’s always fun to hear what movies have influenced filmmakers, and when asked his favorites, Ti West said that there are “too many to list” but shared his love for The Changeling and Don’t Look Now.
In The Changeling, which was released in 1980, John Russell is grieving his family and starts living in a haunted house. In 1973’s Don’t Look Now, John and Laura Baxter meet some sisters in Venice, Italy who help them as they say that they can connect with their daughter who has died.
West Prefers Realistic Objects For Gory Scenes
There are some graphic kills in X, from Bobby-Lynne being eaten by an alligator and Wayne getting stabbed in the eye with a pitchfork.
When asked about using special efforts for scenes that involve some blood and gore, West explained that he feels that it’s “always better to go practical when you can. theres something more visceral about a real object being filmed.” The deaths in X do look realistic.
West Made The Movie He Truly Wanted To Make
It’s interesting when filmmakers and TV showrunners talk about working with studios and networks, as sometimes, there are a lot of notes going back and forth and the original vision can be at risk.
That’s not what happened here, and that’s why X is such an excellent horror movie. When asked about “creative control,” West said, “a24 is very respectful of filmmakers. whats on screen is entirely what was intended.”
West Was Inspired To Tell A Story About Movies
While X is about getting older, it’s also about writing, shooting, and thinking about the process of creating a movie.
West shared his inspiration behind X and said, “i love the craft of cinema and i wanted to make a movie that shows people attempting to do that.” There are many great scenes when RJ talks about wanting to make a movie that feels like other genres and how much he genuinely believes in what they’re doing.
West Described His Writing Process
It’s fascinating to watch a movie like X which seems so carefully made and so creative, and fans want to know more about what it was like when Ti West wrote the script.
West is one of the best horror directors working currently and when a fan asked him about his writing process, he shared some details. West said that he writes “at least 5 pages done per day” and will “muscle out a first draft in a week or two.”
West Always Wanted To Create A Trilogy
While sometimes a horror movie is a one-off and it feels brilliant, artistic, and perfect, there are many times when fans are hungry for a sequel as it’s hard to leave the terrifying world behind. When asked how many movies he wanted to make featuring this same story and world, Ti West replied, “the goal was 3.”
Fans of X would definitely love a third movie, as the setting, characters, and main story of the first film are so strong.
Fans Should Expect Some Familiar Elements In Pearl
Ti West shared that it’s fine to watch Pearl without having seen X, but there will be many things tying the two movies together, which will be enjoyable for fans. The director explained there are “tons of connective tissue and easter eggs in them both.”
Horror movie easter eggs are fun and thrilling, and it’s especially entertaining to watch several films in the same franchise and see the constant callbacks and references to previous quotes, big moments, death scenes, and characters.
West Spoke About Mia Goth Playing Two Roles
One of the joys of watching X is seeing Mia Goth play two roles: the villain Pearl and the younger actor Maxine.
When asked about how this came out, Ti West shared that this “was always the plan.” He explained that he “didnt know if we could pull it off, but thanks to mia and weta workshop we did!”
