User reviews

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.

Maxxine is a film that really emphasizes style but falls short in the substance department. While I appreciated the throwbacks to slasher and horror films of the 80s, the plot and execution felt a bit disjointed and lacked coherence. Despite this, the film's unique style ultimately triumphs over its shortcomings. Mia Goth once again delivers an enigmatic performance, though her character felt less compelling compared to the previous instalments in the trilogy.

The third act was somewhat disappointing as it didn't live up to the intense buildup. As a fan of the genre, I found 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.

With 2022's 'X' and 'Pearl,' Ti West created two extremely entertaining, wickedly clever horror comedies, honouring two specific types of films. 'X' is a homage to- and pastiche of- 1970's grindhouse tropes, most obviously 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,' while 'Pearl' is a like a warped, 1950's Technicolour melodrama, like the cinematic child of Walt Disney and Dario Argento. Both films are prime examples of satire, successfully implementing elements of the object they are satirising without becoming that object themselves.

With 'MaXXXine,' the newest addition to the 'X' franchise, West aims to send-up giallo and exploitation films of the late 70's, as well as the video nasties of the 1980's and Hollywood set slashers in general. Taking place in 1985, six years after the events of the original, the film follows Maxine Minx, who is trying to make a go of it in the pictures. After landing her big break, she is blackmailed by someone threatening to reveal her participation in the 1979 massacre. Meanwhile, the Nightstalker roams the streets, and Maxine's friends are dropping like flies. Will Maxine finally become a star, or be forced to live a life she doesn't deserve?

Enjoyable though narratively uneven, visually, 'MaXXXine' dazzles, recreating the neon-soaked decadence of mid-1980's Los Angeles. However, beneath its glossy surface lies a narrative that lacks the bite, wit and unpredictability of its predecessors. Although entertaining, at times the film threatens to become that which it is satirising- a schlocky Hollywood slasher. West incorporates many familiar elements of 80's movies- bickering cops, an over-the-top villain, a seedy P. I., shootouts- but these seem more like cliches than effective satire, as their inclusion lacks any kind of fresh spin or commentary.

In 'X' and 'Pearl,' every detail was meticulously calculated, purposefully included to heighten the emotion of any given scene. Here, it feels as if West tossed in tropes just for kicks, leaving one wondering about their purpose. Effective satire dances on the edge, teasing its subjects without falling into their traps; 'MaXXXine' wobbles- sometimes clever, other times clumsy. Perhaps West's intention was to blur the line between homage and parody. But in doing so, he risks losing the very essence that made his earlier films shine.

Additionally, supporting characters are underwritten, lacking depth or personality. There are no reasons to care for any of them, as the majority aren't on screen for long enough to leave any kind of impact. Those that are start off as cliches- a no-nonsense director, a lascivious Southerner, two cardboard cut out cops- and then proceed not to change. Considering West's brilliant characterisation in previous films, it's rather disappointing.

As is the exceedingly underwhelming final act, which boils down to a forgettable gunfight. Moreover, the identity of the villain will only come as a surprise to someone who has never seen a film before. Conversely, 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.

Furthermore, West and cinematographer Eliot Rockett do sterling work, emphasising the seediness of the City of Angels, where devils prowl down grimy alleyways. Moreover, they cleverly weave video aesthetics into the fabric of the film itself. Grain dances across the screen, a nod to VHS tapes and late-night cable channels, while de-focused shots blur the line between reality and fantasy, hinting at Maxine's hidden past. It's a visual language that speaks to those who remember tracking lines and rewinding cassettes, compounding the film's heady atmosphere.

In addition, Jason Kisvarday's detailed production design is successful at immersing the viewer in the ostentatious 1980's, where everything was bigger and brighter than before or after. Mari-An Ceo's costume design, alongside Kelsi Ephraim's set decoration, contributes to this immersive effect, while Tyler Bates' evocative, synthesised score wouldn't feel out of place in an 80's Brian De Palma or J. Lee Thompson vehicle, and the soundtrack- making great use of tracks from the likes of ZZ Top and Kim Carnes- is stirring.

Mia Goth's commanding central performance as Maxine is where the film's greatest strength lies. 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. Surely, after all, with material like this, she's meant to be grandiose? Even in it's weakest moments, Goth keeps 'MaXXXine' from becoming uninteresting; remaining a pivotal figure in modern horror cinema.

Opposite her, Kevin Bacon is excellent as the aforementioned sleazy, Southern P. I., making a one-note character arguably the most entertaining in the picture. Elizabeth Debicki does assured work as the director who gives Maxine her big break, though the role doesn't give her much to play with. Giancarlo Esposito is clearly having a ball in the all-too small part of Maxine's agent, while Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale are all but wasted as the cops; getting nothing to do but doing it well.

Ti West's 'MaXXXine' is an entertaining comic-horror, but lies in the shadow of its predecessors, which were considerably more cohesive, original and accomplished. Despite striking visuals and a stirring score, its narrative underwhelms, teetering between clever and clunky. Although Mia Goth and her supporting cast- most notably Kevin Bacon- do strong work, unfortunately 'MaXXXine' falls short of exxxcellent.

I might've been a little too hyped to see this third installment of the X trilogy because I left the theater somewhat disappointed.

Mia Goth rocks the role of Maxine. But the character deserved a better finale. The stakes didn't feel high enough. I'm a fan of Kevin Bacon, but his character wasn't threatening at all. He was more comical (in an annoying way) and given way too much screen time.

The kills were ok. The detectives were one dimensional characters... and the finale was anti-climactic. I would've liked to have seen something more with a Tarantino vibe.

The best part of the movie (aside from Mia) was the use of 80s music and nostalgia. But I can't really attribute that to the filmmakers.

Not a bad movie by any means. All of the elements were there. But the final product just wasn't as dynamic as it could've been.

"MaXXXine" is a direct sequel to "X" (unlike "Pearl" which sort of stands alone). In it, Maxine Minx gets a role in a legitimate film called "The Puritan 2" (a sequel to "The Puritan") and is anxious to finally become a real star. However, her past from the events of "X" start to catch up to her when a detective (who is working for a mysterious man) finds her, and among the backdrop of the "Night Stalker" slayings in Los Angeles, people around Maxine are starting to die...

"MaXXXine" is far the weakest of the three "X" films. That's not to say it's bad, but it doesn't have the real horror and novelty of "X" and the "can't look away" suspense of "Pearl." The person behind everything is pretty obvious, and there are really many threats that are simply too quickly and easily resolved, so much of the suspense is limited. Goth is great, as always, but there really isn't anybody else in the cast that really stands out. And there is a real lack of actual "horror" in this movie. "X" was a great, flat out horror movie. "Pearl" was more horrifying, perhaps, as opposed to pure "horror." But I'm not sure "MaXXXine" really qualifies as a "horror movie" at all. And the ending... meh.

I have no hesitation recommending "MaXXXine" -- the story is interesting, Ti West is a wonderful filmmaker, Maxine Minx is a great character, and Mia Goth is great in the role. But as is the case in more trilogies, the first is clearly the best and each one decreases in quality.

I just got back from an early screening and wanted to share a few thoughts. Overall, it was a good time. Some of the tone felt more like a drama than horror as there are no real tense or scary moments, but I understand that horror isn't always interpreted that way.

If you haven't seen Pearl, you'll be fine. I do feel that you would need to at least watch X beforehand to understand some of the backstory and references.

I was very into the style of the movie, that 80s glam/sleaze look and feel was nailed perfectly. Ti West is good for that as seen in his earlier work, especially The House of the Devil. X remains my favorite of the trilogy but if you're a fan of the other two movies, you'll enjoy this. Mia Goth is always worth a watch.

The soundtrack, costumes, and performances were all done very well.

This is the movie I was the most excited about out of three. I am a bit sad it was a bit underwhelming.

It is certainly the weakest of the 3. I watched it with my family and we all agreed.

It's just not a compelling story, what exactly is the point? The character development is also extremely shallow, I wasn't really rooting for anyone.

Now, I do love the horror film homages, I loved the chase in the movie set, it reminded me of Scream 3.

I also loved seeing the Bates Motel and the House from Psycho.

Visually it's also beautiful. This looks like it was shot on actual film. It is grainy, vibrant, colorful, lots of contrast, the camera work was great. I just love when a film looks like a film and not an amazon ad. The tone was also a mess, it's a bit of a thriller, a bit of a drama, and just a tiny bit of a horror.

Sadly, the story just falls short, it just wasn't the grand epic finale I was expecting.

This audacious conclusion to Ti West's "X" trilogy follows that film's final girl, Maxine Minx, an aspiring actress who, several years after surviving a mass murder, is attempting to forge a mainstream acting career in Hollywood. Unfortunately, someone has other plans for her.

While it may not plumb the emotional depths that something like "Pearl" did (exquisitely and at times devastatingly, I thought), and although it is not as slasher-heavy as "X", "MaXXXine" takes this trilogy of films to the most popcorny of popcorny heights--and I mean that in the best way possible.

"MaXXXine" is downright fun--a typical murder mystery with Italian giallo elements and an intoxicating mid-'80s Los Angeles setting that hits the right notes of video glam and the ugliness lurking underneath. There are noticeable echoes of films like "Vice Squad" (1982), "Hollywood Boulevard" (1976), and "Hardcore' (1979), but the film it perhaps most reminded me of was 1984's exploitation classic "Angel", which stars Donna Wilkes as a prostitute trying to evade a serial killer on Hollywood Boulevard. "MaXXXine" owes more to this Hollywood sub-genre of exploitation than it does any slasher film. Where "X" was West's love letter to southern horror a la Tobe Hooper, and where "Pearl" was his homage to the 1950s Technicolor epics, "MaXXXine" is really a grandiose bow to the numerous Hollywood-set exploitation films of the late '70s and '80s.

Mia Goth reprises her role of Maxine here and is as strong as ever, creating a heroine who is likable despite having her own moral flaws. Like Hollywood itself, Maxine is really a cipher for the spirit of the town and the industry--she is all about ambition and all about surfaces, her rocky past be damned. There is a large host of characters circling around her here, with a number of older, highly recognizable stars (Kevin Bacon, Giancarlo Esposito, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale) along with a younger cast of Goth's peers (Elizabeth Debicki, Halsey, Moses Sumney), and the chemistry among everyone works nicely.

My one minor gripe with the film is the final act, which boasts a somewhat predictable reveal and a finale that almost stretches itself too thin for its own good. Despite this, "MaXXXine" remains irresistibly fun and witty, which alone makes it worthwhile. Fans of the above-mentioned Hollywood exploitation films will especially enjoy it. She's a star, all right, if only in her own movie. 8/10.

I rate this second best in Ti West's "X" trilogy ("X" (2022), "Pearl" (2022), "MaXXXine" (2024)) - if you havent seen this set of movies, theyre worth checking out if you have nothing better to do.

MaXXXine is the final installment of the story of an adult film actor turned movie star in late 1970s/early 80s Hollywood. But its more than that...these center around the struggle to become famous (or infamous) but wrapped up as a murder/mystery/serial killer slasher, splattered with a healthy dose of blood, violence, and some super squeamish moments

a lot of people say "Pearl" is their favorite in this series but i found that one a bit annoying (for lack of a better way to describe it, although it was the most stylish and different). MaXXXine is a little more standard in terms of the story telling and execution and i was mostly into it.

The first 2 acts were pretty engaging with a good amount of WTF graphic violence and gore but i felt like the third act dragged at some points and then just kinda fizzled out once the twist dropped.

Overall, i did like this and would reco but only to those who are already familiar with the two movies preceding it. Yes, you could watch this as a standalone but many of the references and the general story would be lost if youre not already aware of Maxine's journey. If you have a night or two and want to turn off your brain for some very adult horror, check out all 3 listed above in release order.

Shoutout to the filmmakers for a great trailer because that's about where the greatness ends.

This film has a pretty solid start for the first 15-20 minutes that seems to set the tone, but it abandons that tone along the way pretty fast. The plot is lackluster and does nothing at all to make you care about any of the characters other than Maxine. Although, sometimes, Maxine is insufferable. Several of the decisions she makes in the movie do not make sense and are incredibly inconsistent with the character.

EVERY "twist" in the movie's plot is predictable if you've watched more than 10 movies in your lifetime.

Kevin Bacon was awesome as usual. That's the only reason I gave this a 3.

After being the scream girl in "X", then psychopath in "Pearl, the character of Maxine evolves again and becomes a slasher movie heroine in this third opus.

In this last part Ti West offers a playful evocation of some of the darkest and satanic legends in the history of Los Angeles and a particular reinterpretation of cinema through a trashy lens of the 80s with a Mia Goth once again imperial.

Effective in its cross between a success story, a 'psycho thriller', a horror B series and a satire on Hollywood, it is a treat of neon, red lights and eyeshadow. It is a pure aesthetic pleasure. Where we knowingly find a lot of Brian de Palma from the "Body Double" period.

"Maxxxine" celebrates cinema, criticizes its excesses and offers a memorable end to this trilogy that will undoubtedly mark the horror genre.

I found the film A brilliant film: Ti West plays with the 'metal' aesthetic, the rawest black, body horror or giallo (Ah those leather gloves from "Night Stalker" (which really existed) and to compose a delirious and suggestive metaphor on the American dream and confirms by his universe of violence of survival and ambition that the filmmaker is one of the most creative voices in today's cinema.

I was waiting for the third movie from this franchise but i was kind of disappointed!

"X" and "Pearl" were really good and with lots of suspenseful scenes, gory scenes and darker tone!

This one was a little bit more of a thriller drama with some good '80s soundtracks but it's lacks the feelings of suspenseful and scary mood. The killing scenes could be more brutal and much bloodier. There's blood but mid level. There's action but mid level. It's more like a slow burner of who dunn it and the twist at the very end was kinda predictable if you ask me.

Mia Goth remains one of the greatest young actresses of her generation, she's gorgeous. I was pleased by Esposito and Bacon.

It's a 6 out of 10 from me! "X" remain my favourite and "Pearl" the next!

What was Ti West thinking by ending his trilogy with this film? After a very promising beginning half hour, "Maxxxine" then branched out into a confusing, unintelligible mess that went in several directions. The script throws in subplots involving a sleazy detective and satanic serial killers with a jaw-dropping explanation at the end that makes no sense at all in relation to what happened in "Pearl." And why Maxine is so resistant to working with the police to find out who was doing the killings in the first place is never explained.

There are some great performances here by everyone involved (notably both Mia Goth and Kevin Bacon, as usual), and some dark humor about the grim side of staying relevant in Hollywood that really stood out. But the plot felt like it had been written quickly in about two days with very little thought to using logic or being faithful to the previous two films in the trilogy.

After looking forward to seeing "Maxxxine" for months, the film was a disappointment for me. I recommend waiting for it to stream.

I really wanted to like this one. I really enjoyed X. I enjoyed a lot of aspects of Pearl. Mostly the cinematography and Mia Goth's acting and her character's slow dive into madness. Neat fact: The film was made with the crew from Avatar 2 while they were on break. And another one: Final Destination 5 was the second film done with James Cameron's 3D cameras after Avatar.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the cinematography, score, soundtrack, and set and costume design for Maxxxine. And, I know I am not the first review to point this out, this movie did not use Mia Goth to her full potential. Or really half of her potential. She more played an NPC in the film.

Kevin Bacon was great. I was very surprises to see a Bobby Cannavale movie without Rose Byrne. They are always in one another's projects. Halsey had a cool supporting role.

The movie had some good kills. But it wasn't a horror movie. What I like about this trilogy is that each film has been it's own genre. I knew this was going for an 80's crime noir type of film, but I would have liked some more horror in there. Some more scares.

One day, I will watch the trilogy in order. I technically did that, but over the years. Maybe as a marathon would make me appreciate this more.

More at LayRiotta.

Ti West's wrap up to the Maxine/Pearl trilogy is an eminently watchable, if disappointing thriller, set in the mid-80s. Mia Goth again plays the main character, now a Porn Star who wants to go 'legit' by doing a horror film with the hopes that it will make her a real star.

West (who also wrote) does a decent job evoking the era. He ups the stakes by setting it against the back drop of the Night Stalker case and the decade's Satanic Panic. The Los Angeles locations are authentic including scenes at Universal and Warner Brothers studios. The supporting cast includes Kevin Bacon as a sort of Southern fried Jake Gittes, Elizabeth Debicki as an up and coming film director who aspires to being an artist with a capital "A", Giancarlo Esposito as a very hands on Agent, and Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale as detectives. They all are good, with Bacon and Cannavale having the juiciest roles. A couple of the lines about Hollywood are amusing throwaways. Still, without Goth, none of it works. She's clearly channeled this character, and you sense it on screen.

On the downside, West insists on including incredibly graphic violence in close-up that once would have earned it an NC-17 (or, at least a trip back to the MPAA). Sure, it's a "horror film", but it feels over the top even in that context. West's experiments in this trilogy over three distinct time periods is more interesting in concept and design than results. MAXXXINE intentionally looks like some modern update on 80s revenge pictures from the likes of Cannon and New World. West seems to think that aping those films but with a "smart" 21st century perspective is enough; But, for all of Goth's fine work (and, to be fair, West's technical skill) it can't help but feel like an empty exercise. For all its attitude it still ends up being just a grindhouse exploitation movie itself. There aren't any true insights nor commentary, just a juiced up modern version of the same old. West has talent (and, for now, Goth), but, his retro obsession is becoming a dead end.

For devotees of Ti West's chilling X universe, "MaXXXine" is a glorious return to the world of ambitious young actresses and Hollywood's dark underbelly. Mia Goth once again embodies Maxine Minx, this time in the neon-soaked terrain of 1980s Los Angeles.

West masterfully expands the scope while retaining the series' signature charm. Maxine's fight for stardom takes center stage, with the ever-present threat of her past bubbling to the surface. The slasher elements fans crave are delivered in spades, with West paying homage to classic horror films like "Videodrome" and "Dressed to Kill." The practical effects are gloriously gruesome, keeping the scares authentic and visceral.

But "MaXXXine" isn't just about the gore. The script delves deeper into Maxine's psyche, exploring her ambition, vulnerability, and the price of fame. Goth delivers a phenomenal performance, capturing Maxine's steely determination and simmering rage with equal brilliance.

"MaXXXine" is a step back from "X" but it is easily the second best film in the franchise, especially with it continuing the story laid out in that film. The backdrop of the real serial killer "The Nightstalker" being a part of the backdrop is brilliant and plays into the story very nicely. All in all, it's a fitting send-off (or is it?) to a character who has become a horror icon in the making.

I've seen a lot of reviews from people that clearly didn't watch the other movies. If you watch this standalone without any backstory/trauma from the originals then you're missing a lot.

This is definitely the most stylish out of the 3 but not nearly as tense or horrifying. I'd say the last 15-20 minutes were a little rushed and could have been made more interesting but it wasn't bad, just not what I wanted.

Every actor was great. I saw someone on here mention that Kevin Bacon did it only for the money - or maybe he wanted to be in this to be attached to one of the better trilogy's we've seen in cinema.

Now here's a film that's the third one of three, ends what you might call triple X trilogy, Maxxxine Minx at its centre, you may be a dissenter, or you may grasp the thread, and enjoy it with glee. As expected there's plenty of in your face gore, dismembering torsos and blood in galore, it's violent and vicious, some folks are pernicious, if it's your kind of movie, you'll be begging for more. But the best thing about it is the great Mia Goth, as with most of her films she presents as the boss, she'll go on to great things, she'll develop her wings, a Hollywood legend when she makes it across.

Stranger Things for adults, or tons of 80's paraphernalia without any substance whatsoever. Actually, there's not much of an adult content either - literal or metaphorical. I can not see this as anything but a parody, really, so anyone who takes horror seriously should probably stay away. It's like Ti West hates the genre, the film industry and the 80's as a whole and wants to show us just how bad it was. Emblematic is the scene where the Hollywood Sign is shown from behind like a tin shell with a hollow sound. He has a point, of course, but why embarrass himself while making it? Because one can produce a better parody, you know. Pearl, for example, also borrowed its aesthetics and tropes from a previous cinematic era, but it worked like it probably never worked back in the day and despite it was a cliche, it was gripping; it had meaning. I guess, I expected something similar and imagined that the catchy phrase I WILL NOT ACCEPT A LIFE I DO NOT DESERVE would sound powerful and tragic. Well, I shouldn't have.

I see a lot of people rating this film low because they think it was supposed to be a fancy horror slasher. Not only it is not, but by making Maxine work in the exact same type of film in the movie, it tells you quite clearly it is not. It's rare to find a movie that successfully satires the responses to itself.

This movie is a fantasy. The things that you see on the screen are a bit over the top, "style over substance" and all that, because it's not reality, it's the fantasy of the main character, perhaps of all of the characters. Things may be, but probably are not, "real".

It's also a pretty well thought out meta satire, as it involves an actual actress playing a porn star wanting to become a classic film star in a horror movie that mirrors the events in the film and her personal life. Everybody in Hollywood wants to be an actor, the beast swallows or spits out what it may, so all of the people in the film are characters and all of the places in the film are stages. Instead of watching what Maxine does, listen to what Bender says. That's the spirit of the film and the rest is just a matte painting, everything's a stage.

Bottom line: a noir satire of Hollywood, mixing crime, horror and , of course, the movie industry to great effect. I felt like the pacing was a bit too slow, like Maxine's drawl, and I can't say I got excited by the action, but at a cerebral level I appreciate it a lot.

MaXXXine is a solid ending to a great trilogy. Mia Goth delivers a star performance as Maxine just as she did in the other two films. I love the 80s feel in this movie. From the music, to the wardrobe, to the scenery, they really did a great job in that department. I enjoyed the movie but I do have a few complaints about it. It needed a little more horror in it, it felt more like it belongs in the thriller genre rather than horror. The characters Tabby (Halsey) and Molly (Lily Collins) needed more screen time, their characters kind of felt wasted to be honest. Also, some of the kills are off screen which I'm not a fan of. Don't let that deter you from seeing this though, MaXXXine is a solid final entry in the X trilogy.