MaXXXine

"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.

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.

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.

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.

Mia Goth is great, Kevin Bacon is very good as a sleazy PI, Debicki is also good, the cinematography, costumes, sound and soundtrack are good as well. But the storyline is dumb, the last 15 minutes or so are ridiculous and not in a fun way. The movie seems a bit cheap, probably they worked on a tight budget. We don't see much of the 1980s Hollywood or LA, it doesn't say much about the moviemaking business, nor is it a good thriller, horror or psychological drama. It's bits of all these things, but convincing at one. Mia Goth is a true movie star though. Excellent actress, gorgeous too, she's the reason why I give it 5 stars instead of only 3.