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.

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.

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.

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.

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.