As the third film in Ti West's X trilogy, MaXXXine is not as strong in the horror genre as his previous two films. In fact, each entry seems to be of its own period; X being a homage to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with its 70's look and feel, while Pearl managed to be a throwback to the golden age of Hollywood. MaXXXine, set in the 80's, replicates the style of noir crime-thrillers one could have watched on video in that era, as it features a no-nonsense femme fatale striving to reach the top while avoiding the lurkings of a mysterious stranger with a knack for leaving a trail of blood as he taunts our heroine. This shift in genre and tone is what made me wonder what West had up his sleeve since the tease appeared after Pearl's release.
Of course, I never really expected much going for MaXXXine to begin with, other than it being a continuation of X and the aftermath of the murders that took place on the farm where adult film actress, Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) and her crew set out to make their movie, with her being the only survivor. Cut to 1985, where Maxine is trying to make it big in Hollywood, auditioning for a sequel to horror movie, The Puritan, starring scream queen Molly Bennett (Lily Collins), and directed by Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki). In the first few minutes, Goth shows us yet again what she is capable of through a reading of the script for The Puritan II, showing capable emotion. Though it is hard to beat the uncut six-minute monologue she professed in Pearl, we know that we are ready for Goth to reach the heights of scream queen. It sure is enough for her to nail the audition where she claims to her gay video store employee friend, Leon (Moses Sumney) that she is the fifth actress to break into the horror scene ("Maxine F*cking Minx!").
Off the set, however, a different type of horror approaches as a mysterious serial killer known as The Night Stalker prowls through the streets of Hollywood, leaving a Satanic mark upon his victims and clues for Maxine, hinting at a personal connection.
While MaXXXine may not have much horror as both X and Pearl did, one thing it manages to convey is the cold and dark era of the 80's. Sure, it may have been a rockin' and cheesily fashionable decade, but it wasn't without its own tragedies and scandals. Mainly, MaXXXine brings to light the Satanic Panic that has been clouding through the era, with rock music, D&D, and even horror movies dubbed by parents and Conservative Christian groups as being "of the Devil". It is a commentary that is sure to be given some props, even when done in the most ridiculous manner. Though the weakness comes in the story that carries its thoughts and feelings. On top of Maxine preparing for her big break, we are treated to her being stopped by Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale's bickering detective duo, Williams and Torres as they pry her on her knowledge of The Night Stalker, or even trying to avoid Kevin Bacon's sleazy private detective, John Labat, as he tries to dig up her past in a scenery-chewing performance. Most of the cast doesn't really get enough screen time to shine and are just there for brief appearances, including Halsey's Tabby Martin and Giancarlo Esposito's Teddy Knight, Esq.
It is also debatable whether MaXXXine is a true horror film as it feels like a completely different movie, despite being a part of a horror trilogy. It mainly feels like West wanted to make a third outing to close the franchise, but couldn't quite think about how to make it work as a horror sequel. Pearl may have felt unnecessary, but in a way, it worked to benefit the viewing of X. MaXXXine is just the final course of a meal that was bloody. But for what it is, MaXXXine still serves as a fitting ending to West's trilogy and I don't regret having caught it.
Grade: C+
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