In the terrific horror thriller X, a rag-tag film crew sets up shop in a creepy, rural farmhouse

where they plan to shoot a porno movie without attracting the attention of their elderly

hosts.

But it's only a matter of time before things get stabby.

I'm Stephen Thompson and today we're talking about X on Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR.

Joining me today is Morning Edition Producer Mark Rivers.

Hey Mark.

Hey Stephen, thanks for having me.

It's great to have you also joining us, Jordan Kruciola, a writer and producer and

the host of the podcast Feeling Scene on Maximum Fun.

Hi Jordan.

Hello Stephen, it is so nice to see both you and Mark again.

I'm thrilled to be here on the occasion of X.

I'm glad to have this little team back together.

So X falls into a lot of traditional horror movie patterns.

We've got a mixed group of free spirited libertines.

They descend on a creepy and isolated space.

They're set upon by a bloodthirsty villain or villains.

People die in spectacularly grisly fashion.

But as directed by Ty West and shot by Elliott Rocket, X has an arty stylish feel as well

as larger points to make about filmmaking, aging, exploitation and sex.

Set in 1979, X stars Mia Goth as Maxine Minks, an ambitious actress who plans to use porn

...