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MOVIE REVIEW
'MaXXXine' Delivers An Underwhelming Conclusion To Ti West's 'X' Trilogy
By Sal LoCicero | July 4, 2024 | (UPDATED: July 31, 2024)
In 2022, A24 and writer-director Ti West released the movies ‘X’ and ‘Pearl’. ‘X’ was a homage to grindhouse horror movies of the 1970s that blended pornography into the mix. West took a different approach to the genre and focused the story on aging, which was both the film’s strongest and weakest aspect. ‘Pearl’ was a prequel that depicted a young woman who begins to lose her sanity after failing to pursue her hopes and dreams of being a star. When ‘Pearl’ hit theaters, the filmmakers presented a teaser for what was yet to come.
Now, in 2024, the conclusion to Ti West’s ‘X’ trilogy is here, and is set in 1980s Hollywood. A decade after the Texas Pornhouse Massacre, Maxine Minx has found herself in Los Angeles trying to make her dreams come true. She is extremely determined to become a famous actress, besides working in porn, but when an infamous serial killer known as “The Night Stalker” continues his murdering spree, Maxine finds herself in the middle of it and must stop the killer before she becomes his next target.
‘MaXXXine’ may have been the most anticipated film of the trilogy, given how the previous installments hit theaters two years ago, and it wasn’t until now that we finally have the third entry. This movie is packed with references to 1980's horror, the porn industry, retro Hollywood, and detective mysteries, yet it never feels overstuffed. The majority is presented as a stylistic love letter to B-rated slashers and it absolutely works. How Los Angeles is depicted is reminiscent of how Scorsese showed the streets of New York City in ‘Taxi Driver’ (1976), especially when the scene takes place at night. The vivid lights and neon colors give off a sense that the L.A. has something ominous hiding underneath it.
Mia Goth is truly a Star!!! She is a talented actress who disguises herself in the role as Maxine Minx. Her range is impeccable, and she completely dominates as the lead. The supporting cast is mostly good, although some of more bigger known actors (Bobby Cannavalle and Giancarlo Esposito) who were casted did not feel needed for this particular film. Kevin Bacon has a great supporting role as a (shady) private detective.
Once the third act comes into play, that is when the story goes south.The story tries to connect Maxine’s past with the evil that surrounds the city. This subplot has been teased since the first movie and was a mystery that hooked viewers. Here, it is revealed but the execution is lackluster. Even if this was its own movie, the twist comes off as basic.
One could say that this entire trilogy was unnecessary from the start, the only reason that can be thought of as to why Ti West chose to create an “X Cinematic Universe” is to comment on the state of the business, and where it is currently at.
‘MaXXXine’ holds a lot of potential and uses most of it up until a certain point. Some may feel that this fulfilled their expectations, others may feel that this lacked in providing a satisfying finale.
Grade: C+
What are your thoughts?
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