X (2022) Ending Explained

TL;DR: The ending of X (2022) is a brutal culmination of its themes of aging, desire, and violence. After a group of young filmmakers secretly shoot a pornographic film at an elderly couple's rural Texas farmhouse, the elderly woman Pearl (also played by Mia Goth) becomes consumed by jealousy and rage over their youth and sexuality. She and her husband Howard massacre most of the crew in a gory, psychosexual rampage. The final girl, Maxine (also played by Mia Goth), barely escapes, but the film ends with Pearl whispering to her, suggesting a cyclical nature of violence and obsession that ties into the prequel Pearl (2022).

Detailed Explanation:
The ending of X is a visceral, blood-soaked climax that leaves few survivors. After Pearl and Howard begin their killing spree-motivated by Pearl's envy of the young cast's beauty and sexual freedom-the film descends into chaos. One by one, the crew members are picked off in increasingly grotesque ways, from Lorraine's (Jenna Ortega) stabbing to Bobby-Lynne's (Brittany Snow) brutal shotgun death. The final confrontation occurs when Maxine, the last survivor, is cornered by Pearl, who sees her younger self in Maxine. Their showdown is both physical and psychological, with Pearl's delusional longing for lost youth driving her madness. Maxine ultimately kills Pearl by impaling her on a set of antlers, but not before Pearl ominously whispers, “You'll get old too,” foreshadowing the inevitability of time and decay.

Themes and Symbolism:
The ending reinforces X's central themes of aging, desire, and the commodification of youth. Pearl's violent outbursts stem from her inability to accept her own aging body, while Maxine represents the fleeting nature of youth and beauty-something Pearl once had but lost. The film's setting, a decaying farmhouse, mirrors Pearl's own deterioration, and the juxtaposition of the porn shoot's eroticism with the horror of the killings underscores the film's commentary on societal fears of aging and irrelevance. The whispered line at the end suggests that Maxine's fate may mirror Pearl's, implying a never-ending cycle of jealousy and violence.

Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers:
- Why does Pearl spare Maxine at first?
- Possible Answer: Pearl sees herself in Maxine and wants to possess her youth vicariously.
- What is the significance of the alligator?
- Possible Answer: It symbolizes primal, unchecked desire-both sexual and violent.
- Is Howard complicit or just following Pearl's lead?
- Possible Answer: He's an enabler, driven by love but also fear of Pearl's instability.
- How does this connect to Pearl (the prequel)?
- Possible Answer: Pearl reveals her backstory, showing she was always unhinged, making X's events inevitable.

Personal Opinion:
X's ending is a masterclass in blending slasher tropes with deeper psychological horror. Mia Goth's dual performance as both Maxine and Pearl elevates the film beyond mere exploitation, turning it into a tragic meditation on aging and envy. The final whisper is chilling, leaving the audience unsettled long after the credits roll. While the gore is excessive, it serves a purpose-highlighting the brutality of time and lost opportunities. The cyclical nature of the ending, especially when viewed alongside Pearl, makes the story even more haunting. It's not just a horror movie; it's a grim fairy tale about the price of desire.

Final Thoughts:
X's ending doesn't offer clean resolution but instead lingers in ambiguity, forcing the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about mortality and obsession. The film's brilliance lies in its ability to be both a grisly slasher and a poignant character study. Whether Maxine escapes physically but not psychologically remains open to interpretation, making the ending as thought-provoking as it is terrifying. With its stunning visuals, layered performances, and unflinching exploration of dark themes, X cements itself as a modern horror classic.