Hollywood glamour meets reality for “MaXXXine,” where the titular aspiring actress and former adult film star finally sees her big break on the 1980s silver screen.
In the movie, the premiere for Maxine Minx’s (Mia Goth) breakthrough role takes place at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Coming full circle, the final movie in the “X” trilogy made its world premiere on June 24 at the historic movie palace.
“It feels quite meta to be here now,” Goth told Variety about walking the red carpet.
Meanwhile, writer-director Ti West has had his eyes on the venue since the first film. “I always wanted to have a premiere at this theater,” he explained. “It’s such a part of the filmmaker bucket list to be connected to the history of all this.”
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Speaking of history — Kevin Bacon, one of the franchise’s newest stars, was having flashbacks. “’Footloose’ came out in ’84 and this movie takes place in ’85,” he said. “So being back here on Hollywood Blvd and having period cars and period clothes is pretty intense.”
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“MaXXXine,” which is now playing in theaters nationwide, follows Maxine as she becomes a huge horror movie star after surviving a bloody massacre in the first film, 2022’s “X.” But, as a mystery killer haunts the streets of Hollywood, a trail of dead bodies threatens to reveal her past.
Both “X” and its prequel “Pearl,” were shot back-to-back and released just six months apart, with Goth co-writing with West on the latter. Goth produced the second and third movies too: “It’s always great to have more control over the creative process, and ultimately it just helps improve the quality of the work,” she said. Rounding out the “MaXXXine” cast are Kevin Bacon, Giancarlo Esposito, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Lily Collins, Halsey, Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale.
Debicki plays intense horror director Elizabeth Bender. “The Crown” star insisted she didn’t draw any inspiration from her real-life directors because she’s only collaborated with “the most amazing and kind” filmmakers: “I’ve never worked with Elizabeth Bender, thank god.”
Sumney, who appeared in HBO’s “The Idol” as cult member and musician Izaak, plays Maxine’s best friend, Leon.
“It was really sweet getting to know her,” Sumney said of Goth. “I went over to her house and met her family and she was very open and warm with me. It was really important for us to build a connection so that you see a connection for the characters on screen. She’s such a sweet person and I really appreciated her being there for me when we were shooting.”
Esposito, who plays Maxine’s manager Teddy Night, also gushed over the star. “She’s just an original. She’s someone who’s so very committed and stays in character and delivers,” he said. “Ultimately you don’t meet many actresses who have the kind of focus that she does to get underneath the character and allow that character to grow on you and within you.”
But now, Goth’s time as Maxine has come to its conclusion.
“It’s bittersweet,” Goth said of seeing the end of the horror trilogy. “It’s been such a journey. It’s been such a roller coaster. It really snowballed into something that I don’t think anyone had anticipated. I’m so proud of this work and it’s something that I’ll cherish forever.”
For his part, West added, “I’m ready for a nap. I feel like we stuck the landing.”