MaXXXine (2024): review

MaXXXine is the third film in Ti West’s X trilogy, continuing Maxine Minx’s story after the events of X. It takes that character into an unsettling new chapter.

Hollywood ambition and danger

Set in Los Angeles in 1985, the film explores a Hollywood shaped by both glamour and menace. Maxine, played by Mia Goth, is determined to establish an acting career. After securing a role in a horror film, she finds herself pursued by a mysterious killer targeting people around the industry.

West combines slasher elements with a thriller setting. The historical backdrop of the Night Stalker murders deepens the atmosphere of threat. He maintains tension while continuing to develop Maxine as a character.

Mia Goth and the supporting cast

Goth gives an impressive performance, lending Maxine considerable depth. This is a woman determined to pursue her ambitions despite her past and the dangers around her. Goth’s ability to convey vulnerability and strength is among the film’s greatest assets.

The supporting cast works effectively around her: Elizabeth Debicki as director Elizabeth Bender, Moses Sumney as Leon, and Kevin Bacon as the dubious private detective John Labat. Giancarlo Esposito is particularly memorable as Maxine’s agent Teddy Knight, bringing a formidable presence.

A particular vision of the 1980s

West again demonstrates his feeling for atmosphere. Eliot Rockett’s cinematography captures the glamour and darkness of 1980s Hollywood. The locations and detailed production design make the setting convincing and immersive.

The trilogy moves through different periods of filmmaking. MaXXXine draws on the VHS era, the decade’s moral panic, and the challenges facing women in the industry.

Tyler Bates’s score complements the dark, suspenseful mood. The music supports the emotional peaks and makes a substantial contribution to the atmosphere.

Where the story loses focus

For all its strengths, MaXXXine has weaknesses. The plot sometimes feels overloaded with themes and secondary strands that are not resolved satisfactorily. As a result, it occasionally loses focus, and the ending is somewhat disappointing.

The verdict

MaXXXine is a worthwhile conclusion to the X trilogy, especially for its performances and dense atmosphere. Although parts fall short of high expectations and the story sometimes attempts too much, it remains an exciting, entertaining film that genre fans should appreciate.

West closes the trilogy in striking fashion, offering both existing fans and newcomers a blend of horror and thriller that explores Hollywood’s dark side while continuing the story of a fascinating protagonist.