The Real Story Behind the Night Stalker Killer in ‘MaXXXine’
This week, “MaXXXine” completes the “X” trilogy, introducing a new enigmatic killer to the horror franchise.
In the concluding film, aspiring actress Maxine Minx (played by Mia Goth) navigates Hollywood after surviving a massacre six years earlier, depicted in 2022’s “X.” The film features an ensemble cast including Kevin Bacon, Giancarlo Esposito, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Lily Collins, Halsey, Michelle Monaghan, and Bobby Cannavale, bringing the trilogy to a thrilling end.
Set in 1980s Los Angeles, Maxine’s journey is marred by a series of mysterious murders. The media within the film attributes these killings to the Night Stalker, a character inspired by the real-life serial killer Richard Ramirez. Though not named directly in the movie, Ramirez’s grim legacy provides a chilling backdrop for the narrative.
Who Was the Real Night Stalker?
Richard Ramirez, known as the Night Stalker, was a notorious serial killer, rapist, and burglar who terrorized California in 1984 and 1985, the same period “MaXXXine” is set. He was also referred to as the Walk-In Killer and the Valley Intruder by various media outlets.
Ramirez’s early life in El Paso, Texas, was marred by abuse. Influenced by his older cousin, a Vietnam War veteran who committed heinous war crimes, Ramirez developed a fascination with violence. This cousin exposed him to graphic images of his crimes, which captivated rather than horrified the young Ramirez.
Ramirez’s descent into criminal behavior began early. He abused drugs and alcohol, dropped out of high school, and witnessed his cousin murder his wife. By 1982, Ramirez had moved to Los Angeles, where his criminal activities escalated from theft and burglary to brutal assaults and murders.
His first known murder occurred in June 1984. However, a 2009 DNA match linked him to an earlier San Francisco murder for which he was never charged. Ramirez’s reign of terror primarily targeted women in Los Angeles and its suburbs, often leaving satanic symbols, such as pentagrams, at the crime scenes.
His crimes followed a few years after the Hillside Strangler murders of 1977-1978, where cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono Jr. killed ten women and girls in Los Angeles, heightening the city’s fear of serial killers.
How Was Ramirez Caught?
Ramirez was identified after a failed attack on Inez Erickson and Bill Carns, who survived and provided a detailed description. Police traced a car used in the crime to Ramirez, discovering a fingerprint that led to his identification. His mugshot was released on August 29, 1985.
Two days later, Ramirez returned to Los Angeles from Arizona. Recognizing himself in a newspaper at a convenience store, he attempted to flee. Residents in Boyle Heights chased and captured him after he tried to steal a car, leading to his arrest.
His Prosecution and Legacy
Ramirez, known for his Satanic references during his trial, was convicted in September 1989 of 13 murders and other crimes, showing no remorse. He was sentenced to death and spent years on death row at San Quentin State Prison before dying of cancer in 2013.
Connection to ‘MaXXXine’
In “MaXXXine,” the Night Stalker’s influence is evident through the ominous murders and satanic symbols that punctuate the storyline. The film’s trailers highlight the Night Stalker as a looming threat in Los Angeles, with newscasters warning of the terror he brings.
As Maxine ascends in Hollywood, she is shadowed by an unknown menace. Is it truly the Night Stalker? The film leaves audiences questioning until the very end.
