Maxxxine

MaXXXine, directed by Ti West, is a visceral journey through the neon-lit, cocaine-fueled streets of 1980s Hollywood, concluding the trilogy begun with X and continued with Pearl. This final chapter focuses on Maxine Minx, a porn star who dreams of making it in the mainstream film industry and escaped the horrors of the Texas massacre depicted in X. Now, in Los Angeles, Maxine is determined to realize her version of the American dream, even if it means navigating a world as dangerous and ruthless as the one she escaped from.

Mia Goth reprises her role as Maxine with a magnetic intensity that carries the film. Her interpretation of Maxine is a study in contrasts: she is both the embodiment of determination and a woman haunted by her past. Mia Goth captures the character's vulnerability and ruthlessness in equal measure, making Maxine not just a survivor, but a force of nature in her own right. Throughout MaXXXine, Maxine's mantra, I will not accept a life I don't deserve, echoes like a battle cry, leading her through the perilous landscape of 1980s Hollywood, where fame is both a lure and a death trap.

The film opens with Maxine auditioning for the lead role in The Puritan II, a horror film directed by the tough and enigmatic Elizabeth Bender, played with chilling precision by Elizabeth Debicki. Bender is a character who embodies the contradictions of Hollywood: she is both a visionary and the product of a system that objectifies and rejects women. Elizabeth Debicki's portrayal of Bender is one of the film's highlights, as she navigates the industry's misogyny with a cold, calculating demeanor, while showing a nurturing side towards Maxine, seeing in her the potential for true stardom.

Just as Maxine's Hollywood dreams seem within reach, the story takes a dark turn. A series of brutal murders begins to thin out the ranks of her friends and colleagues, echoing the violent overtones of the slasher genre to which MaXXXine both pays homage and critiques. The film's atmosphere is charged with tension, as Maxine finds herself caught between the deadly games of a mysterious stalker and the predatory nature of Hollywood itself. West's direction is masterful in these sequences, using the city's iconic locations - such as the Walk of Fame, the Bates Motel set and Hollywood's seedy backdrops - to create a sense of foreboding that permeates the entire film.

Kevin Bacon delivers a remarkable performance as John Labat, a crooked private detective with gold teeth and a Southern drawl, who relentlessly pursues Maxine, delving into her bloody past. Kevin Bacon's Labat is a throwback to classic film noir detectives, but with a modern twist: he's as much a predator as those he investigates, and his interactions with Maxine add an extra layer of menace to the story. Labat's presence in the film is a constant reminder that Maxine's past is never far away, and that Hollywood is a place where secrets are both currency and a curse.

The supporting cast further enriches the film's gritty tapestry. Giancarlo Esposito is convincing as Teddy Night, Maxine's agent and lawyer, who combines hypocrisy with protective loyalty. His performance gives a glimpse into the machinations of Hollywood's underbelly, where deals are struck backstage and on film sets, far from the glamour projected by the industry. Halsey and Lily Collins bring a blend of humor and tragedy to their roles as Maxine's fellow actresses, embodying the dualities of ambition and exploitation that define their lives. Bobby Cannavale and Michelle Monaghan play LAPD detectives Torres and Williams, whose murder investigation leads them to Maxine. Their characters are well-crafted, offering a counterpoint to the chaos surrounding Maxine, but their skepticism and determination reveal the deep-seated corruption of the system they represent.

One of the most striking aspects of MaXXXine is its visual and aural style. Ti West and cinematographer Eliot Rockett have created a film that not only takes place in the 1980s, but feels like it was made then. Grainy textures, vibrant neon and a synth-rich soundtrack, featuring tracks from bands like Frankie Goes to Hollywood and ZZ Top, all contribute to the film's immersive aesthetic. Eliot Rockett's camerawork is particularly noteworthy in the film's many chase sequences, where Maxine's flight from her pursuers through the dark streets and backlots of Hollywood evokes a sense of dread and disorientation, much like the films of Brian De Palma and Dario Argento, from which West clearly draws inspiration.

However, MaXXXine is more than just a stylistic homage to 1980s horror. Ti West's screenplay delves deeply into the cultural and societal issues of the time, in particular rampant sexism and exploitation in the entertainment industry. The film's commentary on Hollywood's power dynamics is incisive and uncompromising. In one memorable scene, after passing her audition, Maxine is invited to undress by the male producers - a moment that is both a critique of the objectification of women in Hollywood and a reflection of Maxine's understanding of the rules she must abide by to succeed. This scene is emblematic of the film's broader themes, in which the pursuit of fame is inextricably linked to compromise, manipulation and the loss of personal autonomy.

As the number of victims increases, MaXXXine intensifies, culminating in a third act that is both bloody and operatic. Ti West pulls out all the stops here, blending horror and satire in a way that's both thrilling and disturbing. The film's climax, set against the backdrop of a chaotic Hollywood Hills party, is a frenetic explosion of violence and revelation, as Maxine confronts not only the killer, but also the darkest parts of herself. MaXXXine's conclusion is both shocking and inevitable, bringing the trilogy full circle while leaving room for reflection on the nature of ambition and the price of survival.

In its final moments, MaXXXine stands out as a fitting conclusion to Ti West's trilogy. The film is a celebration of genre cinema, but it also transcends it, offering a deep and nuanced exploration of its characters and themes. Maxine Minx, played by Mia Goth, is a character who will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most complex and fascinating figures in horror cinema - an anti-heroine who is both a victim of her situation and a ruthless survivor.

MaXXXine is not just a film for horror fans, but for anyone interested in the intersections of cinema, culture and identity. It's a film that engages, entertains and, ultimately, leaves a lasting impression. Ti West and Mia Goth have created a trilogy that is as much about the history and future of horror as it is about the personal journeys of its characters. With MaXXXine, they deliver a powerful statement about the enduring allure of fame and the lengths to which one is willing to go to achieve it, even if the price is enormous. A cinematic masterpiece the likes of which we'd love to see more of.

MaXXXine
Written and directed by Ti West
Produced by Jacob Jaffke, Ti West, Kevin Turen, Harrison Kreiss, Mia Goth
Starring Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon
Cinematography : Eliot Rockett
Edited by Ti West
Music by Tyler Bates
Production companies : Motel Mojave, Access Entertainment
Distributed by A24 (United States), Condor Films (France)
Release dates : June 24, 2024 (TCL Chinese Theatre), July 5, 2024 (United States), July 31 2024 (France)
Running time : 104 minutes

Seen on August 10, 2024 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 4 seat A19

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