From Farmhouse To Hollywood: ‘MaXXXine’ Charts A New Course

INTRODUCTION

Mia Goth is the granddaughter of Brazilian actress Maria Gladys. As Goth’s fame grew in Brazil, this fun fact went viral.

To capitalize on this buzz, marketers in Brazil often referred to her as “the granddaughter of Brazilian actress Maria Gladys” when promoting the movie, even though Gladys had no involvement with the film.

“MaXXXine” (2024) is a slasher film written, directed, produced, and edited by Ti West. It is the third installment in West’s X film series and a direct sequel to “X” (2022).

The movie stars Mia Goth, who reprises her role as Maxine Minx, along with Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon.

“MaXXXine” was released in the United States by A24 on July 5, 2024.

It is rated R for strong violence, gore, sexual content, graphic nudity, language, and drug use, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes.

WHAT IS MAXXXINE ABOUT? PLOT/SYNOPSIS

Aspiring actress Maxine Minx, known for her adult film career, lands a starring role in the horror film “The Puritan II” amidst the chilling Night Stalker murders plaguing Los Angeles in 1985.

Excited, she shares the news with her friend Leon and colleague Amber James.

Amber throws a party in the Hollywood Hills, but Maxine declines, opting for a shift at her peep show.

There, a menacing figure shrouded in leather watches her intently.

Maxine’s world turns upside down when a police evidence VHS tape surfaces, showcasing a porn film she made with friends years ago, all of whom are now deceased. Meanwhile, Amber and Tabby, another adult entertainer, are found murdered in the Hollywood Hills, their bodies marked with disturbing Satanic symbols.

A private investigator named John Labat calls Maxine, issuing a cryptic warning – her past sins will be exposed unless she meets his boss at a specific Starlight Drive address.

Fearing for her life, Maxine remains tight-lipped during questioning by detectives Williams and Torres regarding the murders.

Later, she confronts a tailing Labat, demanding him to leave her alone.

Desperate to escape her dark past, Maxine throws herself into her role for “The Puritan II.” However, tragedy strikes as her friend Leon is murdered at his video store. The detectives continue to pressure Maxine, but she confides in her agent, Teddy Knight, who offers unwavering support.

On set, Maxine encounters Molly Bennett, the star of the original “Puritan.” Molly, too, mentions attending a party in the Hollywood Hills.

Shortly after, a furious Labat chases Maxine with a gun across Universal Studios, only to be apprehended by security. That same night, Maxine exacts vengeance. With Knight and her friend Shepard’s help, she traps Labat in his car and crushes it into a junkyard.

Following Labat’s cryptic clue, Maxine arrives at the Starlight Drive address, only to discover the horrifying truth. This truth is one you have to discover for yourself as you watch the film.

MY THOUGHT ON “MAXXXINE”

MaXXXine was a fun adventure with my friends!

Mia Goth shines as Maxine, a fierce heroine. The plot feels like an 80s horror movie on fast forward, with cheesy cops, exaggerated villains, and shootouts that made us laugh more than scream.

The neon lights and retro vibes perfectly capture the feel of old Friday the 13th marathons, but the story itself falls flat.

Nonetheless, MaXXXine was great for a fun night with friends. We screamed, we laughed, and enjoyed the 80s nostalgia.

CHARACTER PERFORMANCE.

Mia Goth slays (pun intended?) in this role. Maxine’s ambition practically vibrates even off the screen, and Goth plays her with a ferocity that’s both captivating and slightly terrifying. Even when the plot detours down a dusty backroad, Goth’s performance keeps you glued to your seat.

Then there’s Kevin Bacon, hamming it up as a private investigator who’s more “shady used car salesman”.

This character is less Freddy Krueger and more Freddy Fashion Disaster.  But hey, that’s the beauty of Bacon, he brings the laughs even when the situation is, well, let’s say there’s a lot of blood involved. 

Think of him as the movie’s jester, there to lighten the mood between all the screams and slashing.

Now, the supporting cast boasts some serious talent with characters like Elizabeth Debicki and Giancarlo Esposito on board.

They bring their A-game, but here’s the rub: they weren’t deep enough…I mean their stories. They’re there, they look fabulous, but you never quite get a feel for who they are.  It’s like they got lost on the way to a better movie.

VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY

The visual design of “MaXXXine” is one of its strongest points. The film captures the neon-soaked, decadent look of mid-1980s Los Angeles. The city feels both glamorous and seedy, creating a unique atmosphere.

The use of video aesthetics, like grainy VHS tapes and de-focused shots, adds to the retro feel of the film.

The cinematography by Eliot Rockett is excellent. The film’s visual language is rich and immersive, making you feel like you’re in the 80s. The detailed production design by Jason Kisvarday, along with Mari-An Ceo’s costume design and Kelsi Ephraim’s set decoration, enhances the overall experience.

WRITING STYLE AND STORY

The writing in “MaXXXine” is where the film falls short. Unlike “X” and “Pearl,” which had tightly woven patterns, “MaXXXine” feels uneven.

The story includes many familiar 80s movie tropes like bickering cops, an over-the-top villain, and shootouts, but these elements seem more like clichés than effective satire.

The film tries to blur the line between homage and parody, but it doesn’t always succeed. The supporting characters lack depth, making it hard to care about them.

The final act, which should be the climax, is underwhelming and predictable. The ending features a forgettable gunfight, and the villain’s identity is obvious to anyone who has seen a few horror films.

THEMES

“MaXXXine” explores themes of ambition, fame, and the dark side of Hollywood. Maxine’s journey reflects the struggles and sacrifices many aspiring actors face.

The film also touches on the idea of hidden pasts and the consequences of one’s actions catching up with them. While these themes are interesting, they are not as deeply explored as in the previous films.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

CONCLUSION

“MaXXXine” is an entertaining horror-comedy with a lot of styles but lacks substance.

Mia Goth’s performance as Maxine is the film’s biggest strength, and the visual design is stunning. However, the story is less compelling and feels disjointed compared to “X” and “Pearl.”

Fans of the franchise will find elements to enjoy, but it doesn’t reach the heights of its predecessors. Despite its flaws, “MaXXXine” is still a fun watch, especially for those who appreciate 80s horror aesthetics.

People also watch – LONGLEGS (2024).

The image used in this work belongs to the respective movie and its copyright holders. We do not claim any legal rights or ownership over this image, and we appreciate the movie’s creators for sharing such a captivating visual.

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