Performers superbly portray their roles as dreamers with progressive ideals — enter overwhelmed sound technician Lorraine (Jenna Ortega), nicknamed “churchmouse,” girlfriend of director RJ (Owen Campbell), who sees “The Farmer’s Daughters” as an opportunity to elevate pornography with French “avant-garde” skillsets. Lorraine’s moral hesitations instigate more perceptive conversations than average T&A slashers and lead to standouts Brittany Snow and Scott Mescudi devouring every ounce of the screen. Snow sells both her “Debbie Does Dallas” persona and the intelligence behind Bobby-Lynne’s god-given talents (Snow is so, so funny during the porn shoots) — typical bombshell stereotypes be damned — while Mescudi’s vanity is enough to draw laughs just by flexing in front of windows or doorways buck-naked. It’s such a strong cast that draws you in during their secret filmmaking around Howard’s farmland — necessary star-chasing charms allow the film’s second half to terrify exquisitely because we care about who dies.

Once the horrors of “X” ignite, West rewards his patient audience with 100% commitment to an enormously enjoyable slasher boasting all the thrills and chills promised. WETA provides practical effects that sell excessively gnarly deaths inspired by everything from Italian Giallos to M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Visit.” Easy trailer comparisons to “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” are less apt since West pursues something genuinely unique as Rockett’s crooked camera captures everything from the consequences of repression to surprise aquatic horror. Practical effects stay impressively realistic and gratuitous — a calling card of golden age slashers — that will leave fans abuzz after credits roll. “X” lives its name by pushing grindhouse appeal to the extreme, delivering what horror lovers will undoubtedly describe as “old-fashioned horror fun.”

So much of “X” and its despicable spiral into bloodlust at the hand of republican and religious panic toes spoiler territory, so this is where I leave you. Ti West is back with a violent vengeance, slicing and dicing through likable characters that light up the screen throughout their doomed and debaucherous overnight shoot. West is operating on another level — even the slightest editing cut cranks fear factors another notch higher. It’s so good you can’t help but wonder how many other knockouts we’ve been robbed of had West not turned to television for a spell, but more inspiringly, what West still has in store for us now that he’s back (for now). Slashers are alive and well, and even breathe new life in the case of “X” — if only we supported new original slashers as much as the next “Halloween” or “Scream,” studios would take more unbelievable risks like “X.” Here’s your chance.

/Film Rating: 8.5 out of 10