Netflix viewers divided by “mental” Jenna Ortega horror

Cameron Frew
Jenna Ortega in X

Jenna Ortega starred in one of the best horror movies of the 2020s, and it’s been climbing the Netflix chart – but it’s divided viewers online.

Horror is arguably the most subjective genre in all of cinema; what scares you may not get under the skin of the person sitting next to you.

Some people are terrified of what goes bump in the night, while others are spooked by the mere idea of something lurking in the darkness. Gore can also put viewers at odds with one another: some find catharsis in viscera, others wretch at a droplet of blood.

While a few horrors have garnered near-universal acclaim, some of the best (and scariest) films are the most divisive – and this seems to apply to Jenna Ortega’s X.

Jenna Ortega’s X divides Netflix viewers after climbing top 10 chart

X, starring Ortega and directed by Ti West, is number eight on Netflix’s top 10 movies in the US. Check out the full chart below:

  1. The Vow
  2. Orion and the Dark
  3. Tom & Jerry
  4. Fury
  5. Pacific Rim
  6. The Greatest Night in Pop
  7. The Super Mario Bros. Movie
  8. X
  9. My All American
  10. The Postcard Killings

The movie follows a group of young filmmakers who venture out into rural Texas (very much evoking the grimy backdrop of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre) to make a porno. They stay on an elderly couple’s farm, but it all goes terrifyingly wrong when they’re caught in the act by Pearl (Mia Goth, playing two roles), an old woman embittered by lust.

While praised by critics (it has a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score), it’s split Netflix viewers. “If you haven’t seen this film I’d highly recommend. One of the best horror films I’ve seen. They don’t play it safe, they go mental in a big way and it’s so fun,” one wrote.

“So many things I can’t unsee from that movie X on Netflix. Pretty decent horror flick,” another wrote. “Finally watched X on Netflix and it’s actually a really good horror movie,” a third tweeted.

However, one user wrote: “How’s that movie X supposed to be a horror movie and it took an hour for anything even mildly ‘scary’ to happen.”

“Thought X the movie on Netflix was a horror movie, wtf you got me watching with my husband, 0 out of 10,” another tweeted. “Why?! Who approved this movie?! It’s so BAD that it’s funny… I literally was falling over laughing! 0/10 stars… somebody come pour bleach in my eyes, the movie X… is not a scary movie and I want my time back,” a third wrote.

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About The Author

Cameron is Deputy TV and Movies Editor at Dexerto. He's an action movie aficionado, '80s obsessive, and Oscars enthusiast. He loves Invincible, but he's also a fan of The Boys, the MCU, The Chosen, and much more. You can contact him at cameron.frew@dexerto.com.