AllMovie

A chilling tale of sci-fi terror from legendary director Roger Corman, X offers the story of a scientist who has successfully realized the ability to see through solid matter as a cautionary study in obsessive excess. At first amused with his new discovery, Ray Milland's performance effectively shifts from a sense of intoxicated wonder to inescapable terror as his obsession with furthering his experiments ultimately renders him able to see through much more than clothes and buildings. From respected scientist to miracle worker to man on the run, Milland's turn as the tortured scientist provides the film with a believable lead and a solid foundation. Likewise, master of insults Don Rickles offers a believably uncharacteristic turn as a seemingly sympathetic soul whose true intentions are slowly revealed to be much darker. With an effective and thoughtful screenplay peppered with social commentary, complex and almost hypnotic visual effects, and a bleak ending that is sure to stick with viewers for some time later, Corman has crafted a tight and suspenseful little yarn that some argue is one of his best.