MaXXXine is a 20224 American horror film written, directed, produced and edited by Ti West and is the is the first part of his X series being a direct sequel to X. The film stars Mia Goth, Eliizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Colins, Giancarlo Esposito and Kevin Bacon. The film follows Maxine as she sets out for fame and success in 1980s Hollywood as she is stalked by a mysterious killer. Maxxine serves as good final instalment in the X trilogy and is a good throwback to 80s style horror films.
The direction in the film is good. The film has a good kit nit cast that works well together. With everyone being a part of the Hollywood scene, the film shows the comradery and relationships of the film very well and makes everyone feel like their own character as well as a cog in a greater machine. The mood of the film is good. The film is a love letter to the genre covering everything from slasher film, murderer mystery, 80s Hollywood film and satanic panic film the film is ambitious for this, and this blending of genres pay off well. The style of the film is good. The film has a good 80s retro horror style and style much feels like the era. The is ultimately and love letter to 80s horror and the filmmaking went behind it and is highly enjoyable for fans of that genre of film.
The acting in the film is good. Mia Goth does a good job as Maxine Minx an ex-porn star turned aspiring actress trying to make it big that gets caught up in a series of murders loosely revolving around her. Elizabeth Debicki does a good job as Elizabeth Bender the director of Maxine’s big break horror film. Moses Sumney does good job as Leon Maxine’s friend who works at a video store. Michelle Monaghan does a good job as Det. Williams one of the deceives investigating the murders. Bobby Cannavale does a good job as Det, Torres another one of the detectives investigating the murders. Halsey does a god job as Tabby Martin a fellow porn star and friend of Maxine’s. Lily Colins does a good job as Molly Bennett an actress who was the lead in the first Puritan film. Giancarlo Esposito does a good job as Teddy Knight, Esq., an agent for porn stars a z-list film actors. Kevin bacon does a good job as John Labet a private investor whose job it is to find Maixne.
The writing in the film is good. The film is very much a love letter to the genre and the film has fun being a sleazy 80s homage to the b-movie side of 80s horror. The film juggles several things at once creating a stew of all kind of genre and sub-genres and flow in and out of one another making for a very interesting and unique take on this style of film. the film very much fells like a slasher film with a killer stalking and killing victims. However the character of maxxxine as a lot more depth and agency than a lot of slasher movie heroines making for a generally intense take on the genre. The film at its heart a murderer mystery. The film is genuinely interesting throughout making for a experience were you can’t fully trust anyone as the film slowly unravels the reveals in the story. The film is very much a love letter to the 80s Hollywood era the film is full of references and showcases of the era grounding the film in a time a giving a real retro style and a unique identity that fits with the film. The film also very much capitalises on the satanic panic trend of the 1980s and feels like a time capsule to that time having themes of satanic paranoia in the film which add to the retro 80s style.
The cinematography in the film is good. The film is well shot and looks good. The film has an old-fashioned film look during certain sections really helps with the setting and makes the film feels like a retro horror film. The film also uses the 80s horror movie look to great effect making a film that very much feels like the era. The special effects in the film are good. The film uses practical blood effects with not only look good but also help ground the film is the 80s era and style of the film as well as it being about the 80s horror film industry.
Maxxxine is a satisfying finale to the x trilogy that old school 80s horror films fans will love.