A beautiful set for fans of the film, and now available in both Blu-ray and (X and Pearl for the first time) 4k versions. Even if you own these films individually already this set is well worth the purchase, especially if you're upgrading to 4k.
Few modern filmmakers have crafted a trilogy as bold and thematically inque as Ti West’s X Trilogy. What began as a throwback slasher homage has evolved into a fascinating horror saga and a multi-generational exploration of fame, repression, mortality, and the hunger for recognition. With A24’s new collectible set, fans can now experience X (2022), Pearl (2022), and MaXXXine (2024) in one beautifully curated package that celebrates not only the films but the creative ambition behind them.
X
The first film in the series, X is an homage to 1970s exploitation horror, a gritty, sweaty, and stylish tribute to films like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and the birth of indie filmmaking. Set in rural Texas, it follows a small crew of aspiring adult film actors who rent a farmhouse to shoot their next project, only to find that their elderly hosts harbor murderous tendencies.
Ti West’s direction transforms this seemingly simple story into something far more complex. The film’s real horror isn’t just the violence, it’s the fear of being forgotten, of growing old and irrelevant. Mia Goth delivers two stunning performances, playing both Maxine and the aged Pearl, two sides of the same coin, linked by desire and denial. Beneath the blood and grit, X is about the cost of chasing beauty in a world that worships youth.
Pearl
Shot secretly back-to-back with X, Pearl serves as both prequel and character study, chronicling the young life of the woman who would become the monster. Unlike X, this isn’t a grindhouse slasher, it’s a Technicolor fever dream, emerging on the other side like the moment Dorothy stepped out of her home in The Wizard of Oz, which the film also takes inspiration from.
Mia Goth gives a phenomenal performance, heartbreaking and horrifying. Her portrayal of Pearl is stunning: a lonely, repressed farm girl whose yearning for stardom festers into madness. The film’s bright colors and sweeping music create a cruel contrast to the violence and desperation underneath. If X was about the fear of aging, Pearl is about the terror of being trapped, by family, by circumstance, by your own ambition.
MaXXXine
The trilogy’s final chapter shifts gears again, this time moving into the neon-soaked world of 1980s Los Angeles. MaXXXine follows Maxine Minx, now a rising actress, as she claws her way into the Hollywood spotlight. But the ghosts of her past follow close behind, and the violence that defined her story refuses to let go.
Unlike its predecessors, MaXXXine blends horror and neo-noir, embracing the excess and paranoia of the era. It’s a story about survival through reinvention and about how fame doesn’t free you from your past, it just amplifies it. Goth once again commands the screen, evolving Maxine into a hardened reflection of every character she’s played before. The trilogy comes full circle here, revealing that horror isn’t just in what you run from, it’s in what you become to escape it.
Viewed together, The X Trilogy is more than a series of horror films; it’s a cinematic saga about identity, ambition, and the moral decay of the American dream. Ti West manages to make each film distinct, from X’s gritty realism to Pearl’s Technicolor nightmare to MaXXXine’s synth-driven noir, yet all three weave together to form a single, tragic narrative about innocence lost and corruption embraced.
The recurring themes are timeless: the hunger for fame, the fear of obscurity, the destruction of innocence, and the seductive power of sin. West’s genius lies in using horror as the lens through which to view these ideas, letting each era reflect the decay. Each film stands alone, but together they tell the story of one woman’s rise, fall, and transformation into a legend of her own making.
Mia Goth’s work across all three films is nothing short of extraordinary. I wasn’t a huge fan of her in the beginning, but by the end of this 3-film saga, I was taken aback by her performances as both Pearl and Maxine that demonstrate her range, vulnerability, and sheer intensity rarely seen in modern horror. She embodies generational echoes of the same character, forever searching for validation, forever punished for it. She is the heart and horror of the trilogy, and her performance only solidifies these films as something memorable.
Video
Each film is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen with stunning clarity and faithful preservation of its distinct visual identity. X retains its warm, grainy 16mm-inspired look; Pearl bursts with rich, saturated Technicolor hues; and MaXXXine glows with neon contrasts and deep blacks. A24’s Blu-ray transfers are clean, filmic, and full of texture. The attention to detail across all three presentations ensures the trilogy’s evolving visual language is fully realized from dust and sweat to glitter and blood.
This set is also available in 4k. Prior to this release, X and Pearl were not available in 4k in the U.S., so this set is a welcomed surprise for fans. Although we were given the Blu-ray version of the set to review, any fan of the trilogy should definitely seek out the 4k version, as these include Dolby Vision and Atmos as well.
Audio
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks for all three films are outstanding. X uses environmental ambience to heighten isolation, Pearl employs orchestral flourishes that swell with emotional chaos, and MaXXXine with an included Atmos track throbs with synth-driven energy that perfectly captures the pulse of 1980s Hollywood. Dialogue is consistently crisp, and each film’s score is rendered beautifully across the surround field.
Special Features
This A24 Collector’s Edition Set includes a rich array of extras curated for horror fans and collectors:
- Original extras from each prior release.
- Limited Edition Booklet featuring on-set photos, production photos, drawings, etc, as well as an introductory essay on the trilogy and its themes.
- A24 Collector’s Packaging with reversible artwork and exclusive slipcase design.
As conflicted as I am about the varying sizes of A24’s special edition releases that don’t easily fit on a normal shelf, this set is simply stunning. Care and consideration was taken in designing this, and is something that can be displayed proudly in any collection.
The Ti West X Trilogy stands as one of the most original and ambitious horror sagas ever produced. Each film functions on its own, yet together they form a haunting reflection on obsession, identity, and the corrosive pursuit of beauty and fame.
Ti West’s meticulous craftsmanship and Mia Goth’s fearless performances elevate the trilogy beyond the genre. What began as a stylish slasher evolved into an operatic exploration of the human condition, a horror story told across generations, rich with meaning and filled with unforgettable imagery.
This A24 Collector’s Edition set is essential, whether you pick up the 4k version or the Blu-ray version. It’s not only as a showcase of modern horror filmmaking at its finest, but as proof that even in an era of endless franchises, true vision and artistry can still create something unique.
