Mia Goth as Maxine Minx. Credit: Don Lens. Courtesy A24.
Maxxxine is a killer closer. Courtesy of writer-director Ti West, this sequel to X (2022) completes a marvelously macabre trilogy. Bathed in the best of Eighties panache, this is a B-movie with A-plus cinematic stylization. Maxxxine brings to conclusion a marvelous series of films which elevate horror without becoming pretentious.
The film follows Maxine Minx, an adult movie star haunted by a grim past. After landing a role in a proper Hollywood picture, years of hard work have finally set her on the yellow brick road to stardom. However, a ruthless killer is after this rising starlet. Brutally butchered bodies begin showing up around town, and though the exact connection to Maxine remains a mystery, she knows something sinister is closing in. With everything from her life to her dreams on the line, she’ll have to face the darkness coming at her.
The film follows Maxine Minx, an adult movie star haunted by a grim past. After landing a role in a proper Hollywood picture, years of hard work have finally set her on the yellow brick road to stardom. However, a ruthless killer is after this rising starlet. Brutally butchered bodies begin showing up around town, and though the exact connection to Maxine remains a mystery, she knows something sinister is closing in. With everything from her life to her dreams on the line, she’ll have to face the darkness coming at her.
(L-R) Mia Goth, Halsey as Maxine and Tabby Martin. Credit: Justin Lubin. Courtesy A24.
Thematically, Maxxxine carries on notions explored in the previous pictures Pearl (2022) and X. Each touches on the idea of cinematic stardom by examining different eras of filmmaking. X ventured into the gritty realm of 70s exploitation films, while Pearl took on the garish charm of classic Hollywood pictures. Maxxxine completes the trilogy by handling the neon saturated VHS era of 80s slasher flicks. These are movies about how films are made, while perhaps more importantly, why people make them. But besides cinematic stylization, the trilogy delves into themes of misogyny, loneliness, celebrity, and sexuality.
One thing that sets Maxxxine apart from most horror sequels, though, is the growth of the main character. Once again portrayed magnificently by Mia Goth, this isn’t any old school final girl. It risks spoilers even hinting at this, but Maxine is as dangerous as the killer stalking her, something made abundantly clear in gloriously gory detail. It shows the past having a real effect and Goth is more than capable of displaying the hardened edge her character has grown. Furthermore, it means Maxxxine isn’t simply rehashing old notes from the last bloodbath.
In fact, there’s an intriguing lack of blood. Make no mistake, the slaughter in this flick is gruesomely effective. Yet, there’s a restraint, saving the worst for specific kills in order to emphasize the brutality of what occurs. Ti West never shies from pushing the boundaries, but each instance matters because they stand out instead of blending into a nonstop bloody collage.
One thing that sets Maxxxine apart from most horror sequels, though, is the growth of the main character. Once again portrayed magnificently by Mia Goth, this isn’t any old school final girl. It risks spoilers even hinting at this, but Maxine is as dangerous as the killer stalking her, something made abundantly clear in gloriously gory detail. It shows the past having a real effect and Goth is more than capable of displaying the hardened edge her character has grown. Furthermore, it means Maxxxine isn’t simply rehashing old notes from the last bloodbath.
In fact, there’s an intriguing lack of blood. Make no mistake, the slaughter in this flick is gruesomely effective. Yet, there’s a restraint, saving the worst for specific kills in order to emphasize the brutality of what occurs. Ti West never shies from pushing the boundaries, but each instance matters because they stand out instead of blending into a nonstop bloody collage.
(L-R) Giancarlo Esposito, Mia Goth as Teddy Knight and Maxine. Credit: Justin Lubin. Courtesy A24.
Although full of nostalgia nuggets, Maxxxine never induces nausea overindulging in them. They exist as excellent production elements highlighting the time period rather than nudging the audience towards unearned feelings. Still, as someone who remembers the 80s, there is an unmistakable delight seeing era appropriate cash, classic Coke cans, and Styrofoam fast-food containers. Yet, these elements are never the draw and Ti West wisely leaves them as background details enhancing the reality of the film rather than engaging nostalgia triggers.
Any sentimentality is more likely derived from references to Hollywood history. However, even then, such easter eggs often tie into Ti’s trilogy as much as Tinseltown’s past. For instance, Theda Bara’s star on the walk of fame brings up a Silent Era celebrity, Hollywood’s first sex symbol, but also a favorite of Pearl, the dangerously unhinged villain in Pearl and X, who named her alligator after the actress. So much is tied into a momentary shot it’s easy to realize how much care has gone into the composition of Maxxxine.
Any sentimentality is more likely derived from references to Hollywood history. However, even then, such easter eggs often tie into Ti’s trilogy as much as Tinseltown’s past. For instance, Theda Bara’s star on the walk of fame brings up a Silent Era celebrity, Hollywood’s first sex symbol, but also a favorite of Pearl, the dangerously unhinged villain in Pearl and X, who named her alligator after the actress. So much is tied into a momentary shot it’s easy to realize how much care has gone into the composition of Maxxxine.
Elizabeth Debicki as Elizabeth Bender. Credit: Justin Lubin. Courtesy A24.
Stellar needle drops not only fill the film with solid music from the 1980s, but expertly enhance moments in the movie. The use of “Prisoner of Your Eyes” by Judas Priest adds sadness to a demise, while “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes bookends a movie that opens with a quote from the legendary actress. And that’s not even mentioning the phenomenal score composed by Tyler Bates. Maxxxine is another gem in a career that already includes pulse pounding compositions for the John Wick franchise as well as Guardians of the Galaxy and several Rob Zombie flicks. From synths to the guitarviol, Bates uses a variety of means to add a retrowave vibe that enhances the mood while cementing Maxxxine in 1985.
Besides expertly setting up shots, Ti West reunites with cinematographer Eliot Rockett, who worked on the previous parts of the trilogy as well as The Innkeepers (2011) and The House of the Devil (2009). They often manage to capture the mercury vapor glow that distinguished the 80s. However, West also edited Maxxxine, allowing him to control the final outcome. Perhaps that’s why the pace is so perfect, especially during scenes that feature clever cinematic flair. This movie is almost an auteur’s vision while being a love letter to an era of horror.
Besides expertly setting up shots, Ti West reunites with cinematographer Eliot Rockett, who worked on the previous parts of the trilogy as well as The Innkeepers (2011) and The House of the Devil (2009). They often manage to capture the mercury vapor glow that distinguished the 80s. However, West also edited Maxxxine, allowing him to control the final outcome. Perhaps that’s why the pace is so perfect, especially during scenes that feature clever cinematic flair. This movie is almost an auteur’s vision while being a love letter to an era of horror.
Sumney as Leon. Credit: Justin Lubin. Courtesy of A24.
Helping to bring that vision to life is a captivating cast. Mia Goth owns the screen in every instant. Maxine is a troubled mix of fierce and fragile which Goth delivers in stunning displays. But what’s most impressive is how different her character seems from the portrayal in X, emphasizing how much the events of that film affected her. Elizabeth Debicki adeptly portrays Elizabeth Bender, a stoic yet intense director with high ideas for horror. Icy yet passionate, she conveys the best and worst of Hollywood. Meanwhile, Kevin Bacon is admirably odious as a sleazy private investigator whom the audience will love to hate. Musicians Moses Sumney and Halsey play Leon and Tabby Martin, friends of Maxine who really help humanize the character. Bobby Cannavale and Michelle Monoghan play a pair of humorous detectives who border on cliché but deliver the seriousness their roles require. Giancarlo Esposito is wonderful as Teddy Knight esq., a slick erotic entertainment agent who backs Maxine regardless of the buckets of blood spilled.
Sly humor and sanguine horror mix as this macabre mystery unfolds. Ti West captures the look alongside the feel of 80s slasher classics while sticking the landing on a trilogy that is as much critique as creep show. Even if it stood alone, Maxxxine is a marvelous nightmare. Blending the real past with Hollywood history, it creates a fictional world of frights that’re as tangible as they are gory. Sexy while criticizing the male gaze, a story of fragility that’s also empowering, and just an all-around fun mystery; Maxxxine is a killer fright flick.
Sly humor and sanguine horror mix as this macabre mystery unfolds. Ti West captures the look alongside the feel of 80s slasher classics while sticking the landing on a trilogy that is as much critique as creep show. Even if it stood alone, Maxxxine is a marvelous nightmare. Blending the real past with Hollywood history, it creates a fictional world of frights that’re as tangible as they are gory. Sexy while criticizing the male gaze, a story of fragility that’s also empowering, and just an all-around fun mystery; Maxxxine is a killer fright flick.
Mia Goth as Maxine surrounded by others during nightclub scene. Credit: Justin Lubin. Courtesy A24.
By the by, if you’re one of the cocktail crowd, A24 offered up this signature drink at the screener I attended. Feel free to follow the recipe below and enjoy a Scream Queen while watching Maxxxine.
SCREAM QUEEN:
Don Q ® Cristal Rum
Liber & Co. ® Pineapple Gum
Pressed lime juice
SCREAM QUEEN:
Don Q ® Cristal Rum
Liber & Co. ® Pineapple Gum
Pressed lime juice
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