X (2022) - Practical FX FTW? And that Sound Design...

Okay, so I just got around to watching "X" and, wow. I'm not usually big on horror, but the premise grabbed me, plus I kept hearing whispers about the practical effects. And yeah, they delivered. I mean, that alligator scene? Brutal! I'm a sucker for practical effects over CGI, and the way they pulled off Pearl's... ahem... demise of Lorraine (Jenna Ortega) felt so much more impactful because it looked so darn real. Anyone else agree? What were your favorite practical moments? Beyond the gore, the sound design really stood out to me. The creaking of the old house, the heavy breathing, the unsettling silence broken by… you know… those sounds during Maxine's scenes… It all built this incredible sense of dread. I actually jumped a few times. They didn't overdo it with jump scares, which I appreciated - the atmosphere did most of the work. I wonder what kind of equipment they used to capture the foley. I'm thinking some analog gear in there, given the setting. It just felt so much grittier than a lot of modern horror flicks. I was also super impressed with Mia Goth's performance(s). She really sold the dual role, and the old-age makeup was pretty convincing, too. I'm curious if they did any subtle vocal processing on her as Pearl to age it up a bit. It almost sounded like some warble and slight reverb on the mic. Anyway, anyone else digging this movie? What did you think of the sound mixing - particularly in those tense, quiet moments? What other movies have similar levels of great practical and sound design? And a quick question: does anyone know who the director is? I can't seem to find a solid answer. Just kept finding stuff on the movie.