MaXXXine (2024)

Dir: Ti West

Cast: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon

Mia Goth proves to be the star that her titular femme fatale dreams of in the most entertainingly accessible entry in Ti West’s trilogy of Hollywood horror pastiches

****This review contains spoilers for the movie “X” (2022) ****

2020 was a dark year for cinema, with the global pandemic effectively putting in the industry on pause. With no major theatrical releases on the big screen for the best part of 6 months and with no big-scale Hollywood production able to get off the ground, the cinematic landscape was looking a very desolate place. Luckily for horror aficionados, on the far side of the globe in New Zealand, independent genre filmmaker Ti West was cooking up a project that would appease to their escalating hunger for old fashioned blood and gore. ‘X’ was announced by masters of the indie movie scene, A24, back in 2020 and due to its moderately sized crew, single location setting and low budget, production was able to go ahead at a time when major blockbusters’ were not.

Set in 1979, the “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” inspired slasher follows the cast and crew of a pornographic film as they set out to make their latest adult film on a farm belonging to a homicidal elderly couple. The film would go onto receive rave reviews following its premiere at South by Southwest in 2022, with particular praise aimed towards West and Mia Goth, for her dual roles as starry-eyed actress Maxine Minx and psychopathic pensioner Pearl. Upon its theatrical release shortly after, audiences were treated to a trailer after the end credits for an upcoming prequel “Pearl”, that was filmed in secret simultaneously with “X”, with Goth co-writing the script with West.

With its Hollywood Golden Age aesthetic and a career-defining performance by Goth as the younger but equally unhinged Pearl, the prequel was met with universal acclaim, with several critics believing that Goth was snubbed by the Academy Awards for her performance. Following the inevitable success of both films, A24 announced production on a third film written by West, which was to be set chronologically after the events of “X”, and now, only two years after the birth of one of the all time great horror franchises, that third film is showing in cinemas.

Much like “X” and “Pearl”, the third and possible final instalment in the franchise explores another sub-genre within horror. Heavily influenced by the giallo and video nasty titles of the time, “MaXXXine” brings West’s depiction of cinemas influence on society forward to 1985. We are reintroduced to a now 32-year-old Maxine (Mia Goth), 6 years after the events of the first film in which she was the sole survivor of the “Texas Porn Star Massacre”, as dubbed by the tabloids. Still besotted with the belief she will one day be a star, Maxine successfully auditions for the lead role in an upcoming horror sequel, “The Puritan 2”, against the backdrop of the Satanic Panic of the 1980’s. Initially euphoric about her potential future stardom, Maxine is quickly grounded when private investigator, John Labat (Kevin Bacon), informs her that her previous crimes will be made public unless she meets with his unseen employer.

In spite of her initial concern, an independent and determined Maxine ultimately dismisses Labat’s threats, resulting in the gruesome murders of those close to her by a shadowy figure. With the local police presence heightened amidst the real-life Night Stalker murders, Maxine herself soon arouses suspicion with LAPD Detectives Williams and Torres (Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale), whom like Labat, she quickly rebuffs. With the persistent Labat constantly on her tail, Maxine’s commitment to the industry is questioned by director Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki). With her dream of Hollywood fame hanging by a thread, a hellbent Maxine sets out to clear her name of any past crimes, as well as ridding Hollywood of another potential serial killer.

Despite “MaXXXine” being the third collaboration in as many years between West and Goth, its considerably more ambitious Hollywood setting allows the franchise to remain fresh, where a lot of other swiftly produced horror sequels have not. While it may be the biggest departure from the series so far, with the limits of Pearl and Howard’s Texan farm being left in a blood-soaked dust, Maxine herself feels well and truly at ease amongst the dark and sleazy streets of 80’s Los Angeles. With “X”, West beautifully reinvented the 1970’s slasher flick, while “Pearl” delivered an ingeniously dark twist on the Technicolor Golden Age of the 1930’s. West, along with frequent collaborator and cinematographer Eliot Rocket, once again does not disappoint when it comes to visual style. Far from the glamour often associated with Tinsel Town, the pair have painstakingly recreated the seedy, neon-soaked streets of Hollywood, as well as showcasing the best the industry has to offer with an insight into Universal’s impressive, yet soulless, studio backlots. This new era of cinematic nostalgia is also shepherded in thanks to composer Tyler Bates‘ mesmerizing synth score playing homage to the films of the time, particular those of Brian De Palma.

Once again, Goth is excellent as the aspirational femme fatale, further building on the final girl character arc of “X” to make Maxine the self assured, and like Pearl occasionally unhinged, young woman that has been the face of one of great horror franchises. The supporting cast of genuine Hollywood A-listers are also excellent, fully embracing the camp tone and 80’s throwback feel of the movie, with Kevin Bacon, a star of the era himself, hamming up his screentime as the Louisiana drawling P.I. John Labat.

It may be billed as a horror like its predecessors, but “MaXXXine” feels far from it, especially when compared to the exploitative slasher tropes of “X”. There are no real scares, or overtly disturbing or creepy moments, with the films final act playing out more like a neo-noir thriller than a horror, which may leave some of the franchise’s fanbase feeling short-changed. While I personally would have like a few more frights to go along with the gonzo blood and gore, West’s new direction for the series still manages to deliver a vibrant depiction of the forever changing cinematic industry he seeks out to satirise.

MaXXXine is now showing in UK Cinemas

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