Key Takeaways:
* ‘MaXXXine' is the third installment in Mia Goth's career-defining trilogy directed by Ti West.
* Despite the standout performance by Goth, the film doesn't match the allure of its predecessors.
* Designed as an homage to eighties sleaze cinema, the movie is more an eighties fantasia than a horror flick.
* All cast members, including star-studded appearances from Kevin Bacon, Lily Collins, and Halsey, seem to enjoy their roles.
* Despite its rich aesthetics, the movie's attempt at being self-conscious tips it more towards mockery than horror.
Years after the spine-chilling episode of X, our heroine, Maxine Minx portrayed by Mia Goth, has found her calling as an adult film star in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. But right when she lands a significant role in a horror flick, a deranged murderer begins to kill those around her. Maxine needs to fight both for her life and career by squaring up against her past. This narrative forms the crux of our movie in focus today, ‘MaXXXine.'
Directed by Ti West, ‘MaXXXine' is the third addition to a career-defining series for Goth and him. The trilogy brought an abundance of praise for Goth who received some of the best comments of her career for the last movie, ‘Pearl,' while her double role in ‘X' established her as a genre icon. Besides Goth's noteworthy performance, ‘MaXXXine' doesn't quite shine as bright as the previous films in the series.
An Interesting Shift from Successful Predecessors
‘MaXXXine', with its expanded budget and star-studded cast – including the likes of Halsey, Lily Collins, Kevin Bacon, and more – takes its inspiration from eighties sleaze cinema. Despite a generous dose of gore, it appears to be more of an eighties cultural commentary rather than a horror movie.
West, through ‘MaXXXine', exhibits his love for the VHS era, creating a nostalgic experience for viewers. As Maxine, Goth gives an intense performance, channeling her inner Bette Davis. Her dedication makes her the perfect fit for the role. However, the recognition she ought to receive for her work has been a long time coming.
Less Focused on Horror, More on Homage
The movie, despite its title character, comes across as less of a ‘Maxine show'. West fills the film with eighties set pieces, paying tribute to that era's movie themes, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. Stars like Kevin Bacon, Giancarlo Esposito, and Elizabeth Debicki enjoy their characters, adding to the film's texture while L.A itself, lovingly recreated, emerges as a character in its own right.
However, my experience with the film is a mixed bag. Despite the appreciation I have for its aesthetics, the movie's intentional pastiche doesn't sit well with me. Themes like Maxine's cocaine use and its parody-style take on horror makes it meander away from being a genuine horror film. This balance was more refined in the previous two movies of the series.
The Underwhelming Revelation and the Promising Future
Despite buckets of gore, the film doesn't succeed in being horror-centric, with the ultimate reveal seeming predictable and the finale falling flat. But regardless of its shortcomings, ‘MaXXXine' was still entertaining. Ti West's stylish direction along with Goth's captivating performance makes it a fun watch. While ‘MaXXXine' may be the weakest of the series, I look forward to more installments with hope for better execution.
In conclusion, ‘MaXXXine' brings some fun without the anticipated flare of its predecessors. But it remains an interesting watch where eighties aesthetics surprisingly meet the horror genre. Although it misses the mark as a horror flick, it successfully showcases the talent of Mia Goth and Ti West, assuring us of great things in store for the future.
