MPAA Rating: R/Genre: Slasher/Stars: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon, Sophie Thatcher, Ned Vaughn, Chloe Farnworth, Simon Prast, Charley Rowan McCain/Runtime: 104 minutes
If there is one thing that I have discovered during my tenure as a film writer with a fair amount of skill and talent to his name, it’s that every so often a slice of cinema manages to come along and absolutely surprise you when you weren’t expecting it to in even the slightest. A distinct cinematic phenomenon that, in the last 4-5 years, has happened a number of times, but for the purposes of this review most assuredly happened when I sat down the very first time in 2022 to see the movie X. Indeed here was a film that I had only seen a single trailer for, but otherwise I knew nothing about and yet, upon watching it, found myself enjoying immensely. Not just for the incredibly solid work on both sides of the camera, but also because of how the entire thing felt like a wonderful throwback to the slasher films of the 1970s with particular regard to the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre from 1974 respectively. Yet just when it looked like this slice of cinema was going to be a one and done kind of project, much to my own internal sadness I must admit, Hollywood then proceeded to surprise me yet again. A surprise that took the form of the revelation that the film’s writer/director Ti West and lead actress Mia Goth had, whilst filming X, also managed to secretly shoot a 2nd installment at the same time. Thus, not even an entire year later, we as movie goers got the release of Pearl which wound the clock back to the late 1910s and operated as a blood-drenched throwback to the Technicolor films of ol’ such as The Wizard of Oz whilst also filling us in on the backstory of the first film’s main female antagonist. It was also a slice of cinema that, for what it’s worth, managed to be just as great as the first film and really left audiences clamoring for more films set in this distinct universe. Imagine the excitement then when it was announced that we would in fact be, at the very least, getting one more film out of this that was to not only be a direct sequel to X, but also acting as a throwback of sorts to horror-thrillers like Body Double from De Palma and other delightfully trashy, to say nothing of sleazy as all get out, 80s cinema. As a result, and after 2 years of more than slightly impatient waiting, we as an audience were treated to that 3rd installment, and slice of cinema I happen to be reviewing for you today incidentally, known as MaXXXine and honestly I really do dig the heck out of this movie dear reader. To be sure, it might not quite be on the same level as the first two, but even so there is also no denying that with the aid of well-done work on both sides of the camera, MaXXXine is an engaging and vibrant film that, for fans of both the genre and this franchise, is a fun time to be had and then some in the best way possible.
The plot is as follows: Picking up a solid 6 years after the events of X (or The Texas Porn Star Massacre as they call it within this film’s universe) and moving the action to the iconic locale of Los Angeles, MaXXXine reintroduces to our heroine Maxine Minx as she has continued to work and make quite a name for herself in the adult film industry. Yet despite the fact that she has managed to acquire a fair bit of success in that particular professional arena, we see that our heroine is still dead set on doing whatever it takes to achieve her main dream from the first film. That being that she would very much like the opportunity to transition over and become a more “legit” actress in the eyes of the acting community. Of course, this being set in 1980s Hollywood, it shouldn’t really be too surprising to learn that it isn’t long into our story that our heroine is actually given this opportunity in the form of being cast as the lead in a slightly seedy low-budget horror film known as The Puritan II. Now normally, a young member of the acting community finally, after much in the way of trial and tribulation, getting what could be seen by many as their potential breakout role (I mean look at what 1980’s He Knows You’re Alone did for Tom Hanks) would be a cause for celebration and normally you would be right dear reader. Unfortunately for our heroine that’s not entirely the case. Not only because she’s been a bit on edge lately due to other female members of the adult film industry, including one or two friends of hers, having as of late wound up being found no longer among the living due to the diabolical machinations of a serial killer going around that the police and press have started to refer to as The Night Stalker, but also for reasons of a more personal nature. Reasons that may or may not have something to do with a rather shady and unscrupulous member of that distinct group of individuals know as private investigators by the name of John Labat who is acting on the behalf of a mysterious third party whose motives for wanting to find our heroine might be unknown, but they most assuredly are by no means amicable and/or pleasant in any way. Thus, with Labat and this mystery individual terrorizing her, a pair of doggedly determined members of the LAPD seemingly watching her every move, and only a handful of people in her corner can our heroine find a way to get to the bottom of things and emerge triumphant against these new antagonistical forces like she was able to 6 years prior or is she about to find herself exiting stage right for good? That I will leave for you to discover….
Now right off, it should be pointed out that the work done behind the camera on this particular slice of cinema is well done whilst also being not entirely flawless at the same time. Indeed perhaps the key detriment to be found would have to be with respect to this slice of cinema’s script as penned by the film’s director Ti West. Now it’s not that this slice of cinema is badly written; far from it in fact. Rather, it would be the fact that this slice of cinema is one that suffers to a fairly significant extent from that horrific film ailment known as “trying to stuff 10 pounds of material into a 5-pound bag”. By that I mean whereas X and Pearl were fairly simple all things considered, MaXXXine is presenting audiences with a lot more in this film from a narrative and thematic perspective. Yet whilst this is fairly admirable on the part of West and not an issue in and out of itself, the problem is that there is just simply too much going on within this film’s 104-minute runtime for this film to handle. As a result, the film is sadly more than a tad bit uneven and unfocused throughout. With that in mind, there is no denying that the rest of the work done behind the camera is quite impeccable. For starters, much like the other 2 entries, this film does a wonderful job of being a tribute as it is a film with particular regard in this one to filmmaking and movies from the 80s. A feat best showcased by how West does a remarkable job of making the picture of the film feel like a giallo movie whilst also bringing such techniques to the film such as a bit of grain to the images on screen, some effective split screen work and parallel storylines, but also those distinct VHS tracking lines that certain films of the era had. Along with that, it should be said that the effects work here is incredible with particular regard to the visceral content that has become a franchise highlight including a scene featuring a curb stomp involving a stiletto heel that is sure to have guys everywhere (this one most certainly included) wincing in pain, a moment with a car crusher that’s sure to become an instant-classic in the kill department, a man getting beat up with keys, and that’s not even going into the stabbings and brandings. Suffice it to say that not only are these moments ones that I could see making someone like Tom Savini or Rob Bottin smile with perversely twisted glee, but they all manage to be filmed in a way that is skillfully executed yet brutal in equal measure. Lastly, it should be said that this slice of cinema is also blessed with a truly phenomenal musical accompaniment with an atmospheric and very Neo-Noir rooted soundtrack that I swear I heard in one of Dario Argento’s movies once. More than that though, we see that by partnering it up with a collection of iconic 80s hits we as movie goers are ultimately given a musical accompaniment here that feels very similar to the work that John Carpenter did for the score on his 1983 adaptation of Christine whilst also at the same time ensuring that this franchise’s rooted yet fashionable format that it had already previously established to fantastic effect is able to very much remain as prevalent as ever in this installment too. Suffice it to say that it might suffer from a stumbling block or 2 along the way, but overall there is no denying that the work done behind the camera on this slice of cinema is still fairly well done all the same.
Alongside the fairly solid work done behind the camera, this slice of cinema also manages to benefit quite immensely from the truly engaging work done in front of the camera by the game and impeccably chosen cast of performers bringing the cast of characters in this installment to life. Without a doubt in my mind, this starts with Mia Goth in the lead role and, much like with the prior two installments, she is absolutely remarkable here. Indeed right from the word go, it becomes immediately obvious that this character is very much in the driver’s seat on this particular film as we see that Goth brings a kinetic energy, assertiveness, and ferocity that is nothing short of revelatory. More than anything else however, we see that what Goth does a fantastic job of bringing to this character is a sense of drive and a sense of purpose. Yes, Maxine might get spooked at times and yes there is a hidden vulnerability that she is willing to show if you are someone she knows she can trust, but regardless if she thinks she can handle a situation she has no qualms about sprinting 110% into it no matter how perilous it may potentially be whilst also showing a seemingly organic growth from where the character was during the events of the film X in order to showcase the ways that she has moved on from what has happened to her. Suffice it to say that it is an absolutely dynamic turn and getting to see Goth take center stage in these films and become an incredible actress in her own right truly has been a thrill all on its own and I can’t wait to see where her career goes from here. Now besides the incredible lead performance given by Goth, this slice of cinema manages to reinforce it beautifully with a collection of equally as strong support turns. Far and away, this starts with Kevin Bacon who is an absolute blast in the role of private investigator John Labat. Indeed Bacon has always been one of my favorite actors and here is a twisted joy to behold as this despicable, amoral, and absolute scumbag of an individual who plays like Jake Gittes if he had the most over-the-top New Orleans-style twang you ever heard. That, and without going into spoilers, his last scene is particularly satisfying….in a ruthless sort of way. Along with a side of Bacon, this film also gives us another winning turn from the always delightful Giancarlo Esposito who, in his role of Maxine’s agent Teddy Knight, Esq., does a terrific job of bringing a paternal concern, ruthlessness, and just the right hint of sleazy to a part that could have been easily one-note. Lastly, this section would be amiss if I didn’t take the time to highlight the performances given by both Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale as Detectives Williams and Torres respectively. I mean not only are these 2 absolutely brilliant as the dogged cops on our heroine’s tail throughout the movie, but they work so well together that I would love for West to do a spin-off movie about just them and another case with horror undertones they could have investigated before the events of this film. Suffice it to say that when you also factor in efforts from such talents as Elizabeth Debicki who is in terrific form here as the stern yet wise director of the movie our heroine is working on, Lily Collins, Moses Sumney, Halsey, and Simon Prast among others it’s clear that, from a performance perspective, this slice of cinema is an absolutely twisted delight and then some in the finest way possible with everyone bringing their, dare I say, own distinct X-factor to this no matter how much or little in the way of screentime they are given.
All in all and at the end of the day is MaXXXine a flawless cinematic outing in every way? Sadly no. Is it on the same level as it’s two predecessors X and Pearl from 2022? Again sadly no. Is this a terrible and atrocious slice of cinema that has no redeemable qualities whatsoever and/or isn’t even worth watching? Thankfully I can say that is most assuredly not the case either. To be sure, this slice of cinema does suffer from a few dings here and there with particular regard to the fact that this movie is trying to be too much from a narrative and thematic perspective for its own good. With that in mind however, it should still be said that I absolutely do dig the heck out of this movie dear reader and I definitely recommend it. Not just as a wonderful final (?) part to one of the better horror sagas that I have seen as of late, but for the fact that with this film and its predecessors we see that the creative minds behind them have managed to give the horror genre a rather unexpected 2nd wind of sorts. This is because, unlike a lot of their contemporaries, these films haven’t been content with either giving us material we have seen a million times before or just merely checking off all the right boxes so to speak. Instead, we see that they made the rather bold choice to draw inspiration from filmmaking of the past in order to bring to life a series of films in the present that are all bold, visceral, intriguing, and rather one of a kind if I’m being honest. Suffice it to say that, with the aid of solid work behind the camera and phenomenal work from a truly impeccable cast led by an absolutely dynamic Mia Goth in the lead role, MaXXXine is both movie magic at its best to say nothing of wonderful proof that perhaps additional blood-drenched misadventures with Miss Minx might not be such a bad idea….provided of course they are made with the same amount of love and care as this one to say nothing of X and Pearl from 2022 respectively. Otherwise I guess what De Niro said at the end of 1995’s Casino still manages to ring as true today as it did back then. That being “why mess up a good thing?” Make of that what thou will dear reader. On a scale of 1-5 I give MaXXXine “2024” a solid 3.5 out of 5.
