In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. However, as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Los Angeles, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past. A film by Ti West, starring Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon.
MAXXXINE
Ti West
(2024)
By 1985, Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) has made quite a name for herself in the adult film industry, starring in several popular productions. However, Maxine’s true passion lies elsewhere – she’s always dreamed of making it big in Hollywood as a legitimate actress.
Maxine lives in an apartment next door to a video rental store. The store’s manager, Leon (Moses Sumney), is her closest friend and confidant. He’s a refreshing change from the men in her life, never trying to take advantage of her or get her into bed.
When the opportunity arises, Maxine jumps at the chance to audition for a role in front of a panel of film producers. Among them is Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki), a British director with a keen eye for talent. Maxine attacks her audition with unwavering confidence, leaving a lasting impression on the room. Elizabeth, in particular, seems captivated by Maxine’s unique appeal and potential star power.
Following her audition, Maxine drives to the Landing Strip, a strip club that doubles as a filming location for adult movies in its back lot. Her colleague in the industry, Amber James (Chloe Farnworth), extends an invitation to a party in the hills that evening, promising attendance by wealthy individuals. Maxine declines, citing her commitment to work at the Show World.
After completing her shift, Maxine returns to her apartment. She receives a call from her agent, Teddy Night (Giancarlo Esposito), who delivers a mix of news. Unfortunately, Maxine didn’t secure the role in the Lizzy Borden music video, as her name recognition outside the adult film industry isn’t sufficient. However, Teddy follows this disappointment with a more positive development: Maxine is being considered for a role in the sequel to the horror film “The Puritan.”
That evening, Maxine performs as an exotic dancer at the Hollywood Show World, where patrons insert coins to view her routine behind curtained booths. As Maxine executes her sensual dance routine, an unseen patron on the other side of the two-way mirror appears to grow increasingly agitated by the performance. Neither Maxine nor the audience can discern the identity of this mysterious viewer.
As her shift ends, Maxine waits outside the establishment for her friend, Tabby Martin (Halsey). Tabby’s concern stems from recent reports of a serial killer known as the Night Stalker, who has been terrorizing Los Angeles. The perpetrator targets female victims, leaving behind gruesome crime scenes marked with satanic symbols. Despite extensive media coverage and police investigations, the Night Stalker’s identity remains a mystery, with authorities only noting the ritualistic nature of the killings.
Tabby later parts ways and hops into a taxi, attempts to persuade Maxine to join her at a party in a luxurious residence situated beneath the iconic Hollywood sign. The event promises to be attended by wealthy and influential individuals. Maxine declines, as she has no interest in attending the party.
As Tabby departs in a taxi, Maxine opts for a shortcut through a dark alley to make her way home, only to find the exit gate locked. Unbeknownst to her, a stalker lurks in the shadows. Suddenly, a man (Zachary Mooren) brandishing a knife appears, threatening her as he advances. Maxine feigns fear before swiftly turning to reveal her gun, teaching the would-be assailant a lesson he won’t soon forget.
Later, in her apartment, Maxine is startled awake by a knock at her door. Upon answering, she finds the hallway empty, catching only a glimpse of the closing elevator doors as the mysterious visitor leaves. On the floor lies an envelope, its contents chilling: a videotape of an adult film Maxine made at the farm — footage that should not exist outside of police evidence. This tape, never released to the public, is a haunting reminder of the tragic, murderous events depicted in “X,” from which Maxine emerged as the sole survivor.
Written and directed by American filmmaker Ti West, MAXXXINE arrives with high expectations but ultimately falls short of the mark set by its predecessors. As the direct sequel to X and following the prequel Pearl, this film had the potential to cap off the series with a bang. However, it fails to elevate the narrative to new heights.
West, known for his distinctive style in the horror genre, assembled an impressive cast for this installment. The addition of acclaimed actors like the ever-elegant Elizabeth Debicki, the charming Michelle Monaghan, the lovely Lily Collins, and the iconic Kevin Bacon promised to bring gravitas and star power to the production. Their involvement suggests a significant increase in the film’s budget and scope compared to the earlier entries.
Despite these promising elements, MAXXXINE’s core issue lies in its screenplay which fails to introduce novel concepts or push the overarching story in exciting new directions. This lack of innovation is particularly disappointing for a series that had previously shown creativity in exploring different time periods and character backstories. The filmmaker seems to prioritize style over substance, unable to recapture the raw energy and fresh perspective that made X and Pearl stand out. The increased production value and recognizable cast, while impressive on paper, seemingly fail to compensate for the narrative shortcomings.
The X franchise has built a reputation for clever, period-specific horror with strong character work. MAXXXINE’s apparent inability to maintain this high standard could be seen as a step backward, potentially diminishing the overall impact of the trilogy.
While MAXXXINE boasts an enviable cast and presumably higher production values, it ultimately stumble where it matters most—in storytelling and originality. For a series that set a high bar for inventive, character-driven horror, this final installment seems to end on a note of unfulfilled potential rather than a triumphant finale.
MAXXXINE premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on 24 June 2024. It was theatrically released in the United States on 5 July, by A24. The film grossed over $19.5 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of the series. However, it’s unlikely to be as commercially successful as X, since its production budget was presumably higher than Pearl‘s due to filming on real locations and featuring multiple well-known actors.
