Synopsis – In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.
My Take – With the success of 2022’s wild horror ‘X’, filmmaker Ti West began an unexpected slasher franchise which only doubled down with the wickedly clever prequel, Pearl (2022). Both receiving praise particularly for honoring two specific types of genre films.
His latest addition has him taking inspiration from the exploitation films of the late 70’s, as well as the nasty slashers of the 1980’s, all in order to mark a solid though narratively uneven ending to a decent trilogy with Mia Goth delivering yet another star-making performance in the lead role, just as she did in the other two films.
Mainly as beneath its glossy surface lies a narrative that lacks the bite, wit and unpredictability of its considerably more cohesive and original predecessors. Although entertaining, it does eventually become what it is satirizing: a schlock Hollywood slasher.
Making it the weakest of the series. Nevertheless, the trilogy has put Mia Goth and director Ti West on the map for general audiences, giving way to a fresh, more thoughtful take on the horror-slasher genre.
Taking place in 1985 Los Angeles, six years after the fated events of X, the story follows Maxine Minx (Mia Goth), an adult film star, who believing she is a star material for legitimate pictures, auditions and manages to convince Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki), the director of the highly anticipated horror sequel The Puritan II, to cast her in the lead.
But all is not well in Maxine’s rise to stardom: There’s a serial killer all over the news, the Night Stalker, pieces of Maxine’s past have started to show up at her door, and people in her circle are dying at the hands of a mysterious figure cloaked in leather.
While director West incorporates many familiar elements of 80’s movies- bickering cops, an over-the-top villain, a seedy P. I., shootouts, he also retains the series’ signature charm. With Maxine’s fight for stardom taking the center stage, as the ever-present threat of her past bubbles to the surface.
The character of Maxine Minx is still compelling; her determination, resilience and unwavering pursuit of stardom keeps one engaged. She’s an unstoppable force, refusing to fade into the shadows that one cannot help but root for. However, though I appreciated the throwbacks, the plot and execution felt a bit disjointed and lacked the necessary coherence. The film’s unique style taking precedence over the narrative.
Especially, the third act that disappoints by not living up to the intense buildup. The absurdly cartoonish villain, screaming his head off largely pales in comparison to the deceptively harmless elderly couple from the first film, who were significantly more terror-inducing, viciously and bitterly slaughtering the people flaunting their youth on their property.
Sure, as a fan of the genre, I found many elements to enjoy, but I couldn’t help feeling let down by the less-than-epic finale, especially after the thrilling conclusions of the previous two films. Also, initially, I found the incorporation of the Night Stalker to be intriguing, especially since it referenced a real-life serial killer, but it all turned out to be window-dressing.
Performance wise, Mia Goth is once again phenomenal, capturing Maxine’s steely determination and simmering rage with equal brilliance. As in her two previous collaborations with West, her intrepid character shows through clearly. Goth is not afraid to go all out and risk being called over-the-top. Kevin Bacon commands every scene he’s in as his character actively hunts Maxine. Making a one-note character arguably the most entertaining part of the film.
In other roles, Giancarlo Esposito, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Lilly Cooper, Halsey, Lily Collins, Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale provide assured work. On the whole, ‘MaXXXine’ is a decent horror installment that falls short in comparison to its predecessors.
Directed – Ti West
Starring – Mia Goth, Michelle Monaghan, Elizabeth Debicki
Rated – R
Run Time – 103 minutes