X
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- R
- Volga
- 1 h 43 m
- 2024
- R
- Volga
- 1 h 43 m
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- R
- Volga
- 1 h 43 m
- 2024
- R
- Volga
- 1 h 43 m
MaXXXine
64
6.3
Where to Watch
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 48 Critic Reviews
64
60% Positive
29 Reviews
29 Reviews
35% Mixed
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
4% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 48 Critic Reviews
64
60% Positive
29 Reviews
29 Reviews
35% Mixed
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
4% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Set, script, performances, and direction - it all works.
Three films into Ti West’s extraordinary trilogy, Goth proves yet again what a force she is to be reckoned with – and West proves that funny, dark, smart schlock horror still has a lot to say.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 60 User Ratings
6.3
58% Positive
35 Ratings
35 Ratings
27% Mixed
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
15% Negative
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 60 User Ratings
6.3
58% Positive
35 Ratings
35 Ratings
27% Mixed
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
15% Negative
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
Outstanding conclusion to the X series.... I liked it much more than Pearl, frankly. Mia Goth is phenomenal.
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Another star-making performance by Mia Goth — surely she’s a star now, right? How many star-making performances does it take? — and a trip back to the seedier side of a decade that’s been sanitized within an inch of its life by condescending corporate exploitation.
The film doesn’t come across as ironic, satirical, or like a thoughtful analysis or commentary. It’s the first of the three that could actually be considered a new entry in the genre it’s referencing.
MaXXXine isn't a bad movie by any means, but compared to "X," it just feels like another failed horror movie sequel.
Goth holds MaXXXine together through the sheer force of her charisma, despite the bumpy plot, an underwritten character and the plodding, perfunctory kills that arrive like clockwork.
While there’s some payoff in the many visual callbacks to ’80s-and-earlier genre movies, at some point the filmmaker lost sight of how to best serve Goth a third time.
I initially wasn't a fan of one of the cheesy-ish kills but, the movie itself was awesome. Mia Goth has such amazing range that seeing her as much as possible is all I really cared about. If we were to go in order of best to worst this would be my least favorite although, it's only because the series has finally ended. I can't wait to rewatch this one 20 times like the others when it releases. (Give us a Collector's 4K Ti!!!)
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Following the events of the film 'X', porn star/aspiring actress and slasher survivor Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) attempts to capture her big break in 1980s Los Angeles during the midst of a killing spree from a serial killer known as The Night Stalker, as well as a sleazy detective (Kevin Bacon) hot on her trail threatening to expose her and her haunted past. Written and directed by Ti West, this film marks the conclusion to his 'X' trilogy, which started two years ago back in 2022 with the 70s grindhouse-style flick 'X' about amateur porno filmmakers at a rural Texas farmhouse who find themselves being picked off by a murderous elderly couple there, one of whom is a woman named Pearl (also played by Goth who went on to play a younger version of her in a prequel origin film known as 'Pearl', which served as the second installment in the trilogy.) With this film serving as the big conclusion, I had high hopes, mostly being that it would turn out decently better than the previous two films did, having admittedly not been a fan of either 'X' or 'Pearl'. I found them both to be cheesy and cliche-riddled, bringing nothing new to the table in terms of horror or suspense/thrills. They merely just imitated (half-heartedly at that) the countless other slashers that came before them, so I was hoping for a decent and more original and innovative story this time around, and thankfully that's more or less what I got here this time around. The 80s glitz and glamour are a lot of fun to take in here, with plenty of pop-culture references, a look at the seedy side of showbiz, as well as little winks and nods here and there to the previous two franchise films. What's more, the story was actually fun, unique and quite compelling in several spots. On top of that, the cast lineup here is equally remarkable, with supporting players such as Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Giancarlo Esposito, Lily Collins, and even singer Halsey in an all-too-brief appearance. However, the two biggest standouts here are Goth (giving another incredible lead scream queen performance after 'X' and 'Pearl') and Bacon who is in full menacing sleaze mode here, but who also provides some bumbling comic relief moments throughout. However, despite being the best in what I already considered to be a pretty weak trilogy, the fact that it was the best for me unfortunately isn't saying much. While it has an infinitely better story and cast, and it actually takes some more unique and less predictable story turns and eschews some of the worn and tired slasher tropes that 'X' and 'Pearl' failed to subvert, in the end, it still merely just the best of a weak bunch as far as I'm concerned. It will no doubt be the most memorable one to me, but I will eventually forget about it and probably won't return to or revisit any of these films in the series, especially when compared alongside far superior modern horror films. Overall, fun enough to watch, subverts some expectations, especially after the last two films failed to do so, and a great cast. It just didn't strengthen an already weak trilogy as a whole for me or do quite enough to make it memorable in the end for me. Several will swear by this trilogy going down as modern horror classics, just not me.
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Just got home from the theater. The non-spoiler plot is: adult film star Maxine gets a real acting role in a Hollywood horror movie as her past comes back to haunt her, putting her big break in jeopardy and pushing her to do whatever it takes to guarantee her success. This is also the spoiler plot. Midway through the movie, I realized I should have watched the other two-thirds of the trilogy, X and Pearl, to understand what was going on. Nothing is revealed in this movie that makes it complete on its own. Whenever you think you're going to be elucidated on what’s going on, it simply cuts to the next scene, as if to avoid boring people who’ve watched the other movies with unnecessary recaps. Character 1: "I need to tell you something..." CUTS TO: Character 2: "Wow, why didn't you tell me before?" So in the final act I was just checking the time on my phone, waiting for it to the end, since the reveals and callbacks made no sense to me.
That aside, it starts off very entertaining and promising, but by the end, it feels like it's made for high schoolers. Also, it's not really a horror movie; I don't know what it is. As for Mia Goth, I wish I could at least say her acting was good, but she doesn't sell the willing-to-do-anything-for-success, fame-hungry badass that I think her character is supposed to be. She does what's in the script, but it doesn't shock you as I think the director intended.
So that was my experience with the movie: an all-over-the-place, teenagely edgy one-third of a non-horror movie with an entertaining first act. Maybe I'll come back and revise this review if I ever watch X and Pearl.
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I wish Ti West would make his own film instead of reminding me of better films. The film cheaply calls back to a number of classic films. The director thinks that this makes the film clever but does nothing clever with these call backs.
The plot starts off ok but declines in quality after the first act. While it is unique for a horror film, it feels derivative of older film plots from classic Hollywood. None of the characters are very compelling or well constructed. The dialogue is made to mimick bad cheesy 80s action film but just ends up just being cheesy and bad without the charm.
I am unsure if the film was meant to create tension, scare me or at least make me uncomfortable. It succeeded in doing none of these things. The tone seemed like it was going for campy fun but doing it in an ironic, artsy **** top of this we suffer through the usual girl boss cliche and bird brain attempts at social commentary would of perhaps been edgy and interesting in the 90s but unfortunately arrived 30 years too late. Another case of style of substance that we have seen from the last 2 films in this series.
To give the film some praise: good visuals, good lighting, a couple good set pieces, and good acting.
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Writer/director Ti West had made his rep with off-kilter violent films that pay homage to Hollywood. I didn't especially care for either of the first 2 in this trilogy: Pearl (my review) and X (my review). As in the others, Mia Goth is the lead. This time she plays a porn star who gets her first break in a horror film. Drop in a serial killer for the inevitable stalker angle. There are also a number of names in smaller roles, like Kevin Bacon (over the top fun), Giancarlo Esposito (great wig) and Bobby Cannavale (some mildly amusing moments). As with the other films, the killings are dispatched quickly without much originality or gruesome detail. There’s more an ominous atmosphere than real fear. There are a few semi-outrageous moments, but there's so much more vapid stuff that's simply there for shock or attempted humor. Setting this film in the 80s Hollywood gave West an opportunity to honor another cinematic period and his cinematic tributes are a stylistic curiosity, but not much else.
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Production Company
A24,
Motel Mojave,
Access Entertainment,
New Zealand Film Commission
Release Date Jul 5, 2024
Duration 1 h 43 m
Rating R
Tagline Hollywood is a killer.
Website
https://amzn.to/4eOKXnw
Awards
California on Location Awards
• 2 Nominations
Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
• 1 Nomination