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Gracing our cinema screens again is the scream queen herself Mia Goth in the newest installment into the Ti West horror universe MaXXXine. The third film in this highly acclaimed slasher series takes audiences to Hollywood in the 1980s where Maxine wants to leave adult films behind and begin her career as a film actress. MaXXXine wears its classic horror film homages on its sleeve, showcasing some of the very best imagery the genre has to offer. For those just along for the vibes, it’s a killer time, and there’s a lot about this film that totally rules, but MaXXXine stumbles to conclude the trilogy in an impactful way.

Picking up after the horrific events of X from 2022 we see Maxine Minx living out her big city dreams in Hollywood as she is auditioning for a role in a film outside of the adult entertainment industry. Quickly Maxine’s past begins to haunt her and those around her. With The Night Stalker on the loose, a pattern begins to emerge that finds its way to Maxine. Satan Panic is at an all-time high with a new victim being broadcasted daily, picketers lining the streets, and Twisted Sister chatting to the Senate.

B Movie A Ideas

There’s so much about MaXXXine that is great, starting with its performances. The cast of this film might be one of the best-cast films in quite some time, especially for a film in its third entry. There is no other actress that can play Maxine/Pearl like Mia Goth; there is such an allure and depth to her that only Goth can capture. Outside of Goth, there is Kevin Bacon as John Labat who is the epitome of gross and sleaze in this film, even down to the way that he walks. Giancarlo Esposito plays Maxine’s Talent Manager Teddy Knight who steals every single scene he is in with his charm. Halsey as Tabby Martin, Elizabeth Debicki as Elizabeth Bender, and Lily Collins as Molly Bennett all play small roles in MaXXXine, but their impacts on Maxine are tremendous.

From an aesthetics standpoint, MaXXXine feels as though it was ripped right out of the 1980s. There’s a specific scene where Maxine is walking down an alley with smoke slowly fading in, accompanied by the sweet synth of Tyler Bates that exudes the exact aura West was going for. The makeup, fashion, big hair, and neon signs all added to the immaculate vibes of this film, making it more enjoyable. Never did it feel like it was a mockery of the era, but rather a celebration of one of the most iconic times of film, music, and fashion.

Body Double

There’s a lot of heavy lifting that West attempts to do to connect Pearl, X, and MaXXXine together with flashbacks. A common complaint at times with the franchise is that they felt too loosely connected. In this film it feels a little too late, and leaves more questions than answers. As a big fan of this franchise as a whole I appreciated the way that West depicted the way the events of X impacted Maxine, and how they were integral in her story throughout this film.

West makes it known that he is a huge lover titans of the horror/thriller genre that came before him such as Alfred Hitchcock, John Carpenter, Brian De Palma and doesn’t shy away from paying homage to them throughout MaXXXine. At times the film feels more like a tribute to those genres more than anything, which is fine to a point, but when it comes to concluding Maxines story it suffers. Once the film hits its big reveal its rather lackluster, with the conclusion being even more of a head scratcher. As the film comes to its final scene it feels as if Maxine is as dissatisfied with her ending as I was.

There’s a lot going on with such a stacked cast, that scenes are overstuffed with too many new characters. Maxine doesn’t have much to do, making her seem as more of a background character in a film meant to mark the end of her story. Although she has some memorable practical effect kills, the favorite of mine being early on in the film, Maxine takes a backseat in a lot of scenes where she should be the main player.

Overall MaXXXine takes audiences on a thrilling journey through the 1980’s Hollywood, blending stellar performances with an impressive aesthetic that pays homage to the era’s iconic films, music, and fashion. While the film excels in sharing an authentic atmosphere and aspects of Maxine’s story, its attempt to interconnect with previous installments feels belated, leaving some unresolved questions. Despite its nods to horror and thriller titans, the conclusion may disappoint those eagerly awaiting a satisfying ending to Maxine’s story. Nonetheless, MaXXXine remains an entertaining addition to the Ti West horror universe, upheld by standout performances and a nostalgic visual aura.

Synopsis & Rating

“In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. However, as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Los Angeles, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.”

3.5/5

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