MAXXXINE
Starring: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon
Director: Ti West
ADRIANO
It saddens me to say that MaXXXine is far and away the weakest of writer/director Ti West and Mia Goth's trilogy. That's not to say you won't get similar thrills and the gory fun you got in the previous installments. But this film's plot is much more all over the place and kinda gets lost in itself a little too much. Not to mention, while the 80s vibe was fun, it didn't commit quite like the others did, and MaXXXine just simply lacked the teeth of the previous films. But hey, Mia Goth's great still, at least.
PAIGE
Despite Ti West directing the hell out of MaXXXine, his screenplay is lacking a bit, making the story feel hollow in comparison to its predecessors. However, this does not lessen the fact that Mia Goth is an absolute star, or that the supporting roster also kills it here. The aesthetic and style of this film are to die for, with the giallo-inspired 80s slasher and neo-noir vibes exuding the glitz and glam of Hollywood. Overall, this horror trilogy explored the idea of going to any lengths to achieve fame in a brilliant manner.
PRESTON
Unlike Pearl, a stand-alone prequel, MaXXXine serves as a direct sequel to X, which requires re-watching if your memory is as fogged as mine because there are lots of flashbacks that speak to the experienced trauma that has shaped our dear Maxine Minx (Mia Goth). Problematically, there is little dialogue from our primary protagonist to further develop her character, and the additional, over-the-top cast don't necessarily bring any desired nuance. The nostalgic nod to 80s Hollywood and the integrated Hollywood Studios tour are the best parts of a film that isn’t all that scary or thrilling but entertaining enough.
KATIE
The final installment in Ti West’s horror trilogy, MaXXXine is a gloriously gory, immensely stylish film that platforms Mia Goth’s phenomenal star quality. The film contains countless nods to 80s Hollywood and pop culture with a nostalgic, neon-lit aesthetic and the sleazy atmosphere of a giallo-esque thriller. Goth is, again, deeply compelling with a formidable screen presence, but her character doesn't feel as fully formed as in the two previous films, and the script generally pays less attention to character development than flashy personas. Still, overall, MaXXXine is a fervently fun and entertaining final chapter for the franchise.
