‘MaXXXine’ Review: Mia Goth Shines in A24’s Chilling ’80s Horror Finale Friday 05 July, 2024
In a chilling review of MAXXXINE, the concluding chapter of a horror trilogy from director Ti West, starring Mia Goth, and produced by A24, it’s clear that West is determined to provide his muse with another meticulously crafted stage for her talents to shine. Just like in X and Pearl, Goth once again proves her prowess as one of the top actors in genre films today.
Through “X,” the 1918-set prequel “Pearl,” and now “MaXXXine,” West has crafted a trilogy of elevated horror films that leave a lasting impression. Each movie showcases a unique genre style – “X” channels a drive-in B-movie with a 1970s porn film twist, “Pearl” transforms a Technicolor musical into a slasher flick, and “MaXXXine” blends elements of a 1980s MTV video with R-rated, soft-porn, erotic thrillers reminiscent of Cinemax (aka “Skinemax”) on a VHS tape. Aesthetics play a significant role in this trilogy, showcasing A24’s commitment to distinctive visuals in all their films.
Mia Goth’s performance in this retro-splatterfest is truly remarkable, portraying Maxine with a mixture of steeliness as both a defense mechanism and a hard-earned privilege. If “X” was The Texas Porn Star Massacre, then “MaXXXine” can be described as Bawdy Double, exploring the dark underbelly of Hollywood and the complexities of ambition.
MaXXXine picks up six years after the Texas Porn Film Massacre, following the blonde Maxine’s relentless pursuit of fame in Hollywood. Transitioning from an adult film actress to a mainstream star becomes her obsession, leading her to audition for the lead role in “The Puritan 2,” a Satanic possession horror thriller. This marks a pivotal moment in Maxine’s quest for stardom, fueled by childhood dreams and a desire to break free from her past.
Drawing parallels to the thriller horror film “Neon Demon” (2016), both “MaXXXine” and “Neon Demon” explore the hunger for fame and the darkness that lurks within the entertainment industry. The female protagonists in both films share a relentless drive for recognition, even if it means reaching into sinister territories to achieve their goals.
As Mia Goth concludes her role as Maxine in this trilogy, she solidifies her position as a rising star in the horror genre. With notable performances in films like “A Cure for Wellness” (2017), “Marrowbone” (2017), “Suspiria” (2018), “High Life” (2018), and “Infinity Pool” (2023), Goth is establishing herself as a prominent figure in horror cinema.
In the realm of horror, actresses have long been celebrated as “scream queens,” from classic icons like Janet Leigh and Jamie Lee Curtis to modern-day stars such as Samara Weaving, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Lupita Nyong’o, and now Mia Goth. Goth’s portrayal of Maxine in this trilogy cements her status as a formidable presence in the genre, leaving audiences eager to witness her future endeavors in horror and psychological thrillers.
In “Pearl,” Mia Goth portrayed a naive young woman whose shattered aspirations spiral into madness, leaving us to ponder if Maxine is heading down a similar dark path. This speculation gains weight when we reflect on the poignant Bette Davis quote strategically placed by West in “MaXXXine”: “Until you’re known in my profession as a monster, you’re not a star.” Expanding on the themes of its predecessors, “MaXXXine” delivers a chilling revelation that the true horror lies not in a deranged killer brandishing a blade, but in the insidious nature of ambition itself.
MAXXXINE IS IN THEATERS JULY 5th
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Through “X,” the 1918-set prequel “Pearl,” and now “MaXXXine,” West has crafted a trilogy of elevated horror films that leave a lasting impression. Each movie showcases a unique genre style – “X” channels a drive-in B-movie with a 1970s porn film twist, “Pearl” transforms a Technicolor musical into a slasher flick, and “MaXXXine” blends elements of a 1980s MTV video with R-rated, soft-porn, erotic thrillers reminiscent of Cinemax (aka “Skinemax”) on a VHS tape. Aesthetics play a significant role in this trilogy, showcasing A24’s commitment to distinctive visuals in all their films.
Mia Goth’s performance in this retro-splatterfest is truly remarkable, portraying Maxine with a mixture of steeliness as both a defense mechanism and a hard-earned privilege. If “X” was The Texas Porn Star Massacre, then “MaXXXine” can be described as Bawdy Double, exploring the dark underbelly of Hollywood and the complexities of ambition.
MaXXXine picks up six years after the Texas Porn Film Massacre, following the blonde Maxine’s relentless pursuit of fame in Hollywood. Transitioning from an adult film actress to a mainstream star becomes her obsession, leading her to audition for the lead role in “The Puritan 2,” a Satanic possession horror thriller. This marks a pivotal moment in Maxine’s quest for stardom, fueled by childhood dreams and a desire to break free from her past.
Drawing parallels to the thriller horror film “Neon Demon” (2016), both “MaXXXine” and “Neon Demon” explore the hunger for fame and the darkness that lurks within the entertainment industry. The female protagonists in both films share a relentless drive for recognition, even if it means reaching into sinister territories to achieve their goals.
As Mia Goth concludes her role as Maxine in this trilogy, she solidifies her position as a rising star in the horror genre. With notable performances in films like “A Cure for Wellness” (2017), “Marrowbone” (2017), “Suspiria” (2018), “High Life” (2018), and “Infinity Pool” (2023), Goth is establishing herself as a prominent figure in horror cinema.
In the realm of horror, actresses have long been celebrated as “scream queens,” from classic icons like Janet Leigh and Jamie Lee Curtis to modern-day stars such as Samara Weaving, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Lupita Nyong’o, and now Mia Goth. Goth’s portrayal of Maxine in this trilogy cements her status as a formidable presence in the genre, leaving audiences eager to witness her future endeavors in horror and psychological thrillers.
In “Pearl,” Mia Goth portrayed a naive young woman whose shattered aspirations spiral into madness, leaving us to ponder if Maxine is heading down a similar dark path. This speculation gains weight when we reflect on the poignant Bette Davis quote strategically placed by West in “MaXXXine”: “Until you’re known in my profession as a monster, you’re not a star.” Expanding on the themes of its predecessors, “MaXXXine” delivers a chilling revelation that the true horror lies not in a deranged killer brandishing a blade, but in the insidious nature of ambition itself.
MAXXXINE IS IN THEATERS JULY 5th
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