Maxxxine (2024)

Ti West’s foray into 1980s Hollywood with Maxxxine is a mixed bag. It bathes us in the lurid glow of a bygone era, complete with synth-heavy music and ruthless ambition, but struggles to deliver a satisfying narrative alongside the period flair.

Mia Goth, returning as the titular Maxine, is a captivating presence. She sheds the wide-eyed innocence of X for a steelier resolve, haunted by the events of the Texas farmhouse (if you don’t know about these events, check out the first in the trilogy, X). The casting of seasoned actors like Giancarlo Esposito and a deliciously sleazy Kevin Bacon adds weight to the proceedings. However, the characters themselves feel underdeveloped. Maxine’s internal struggles are hinted at but never fully explored, leaving her motivations a bit murky. The supporting cast, while colourful, often falls into familiar Hollywood tropes—the jaded director, the backstabbing agent—without much depth.

The plot, which hinges on a slasher picking off starlets and a potential connection to Maxine’s past, feels like a retread of familiar territory. The suspense builds in the early reels, but the eventual reveal is underwhelming. The film is more interested in evoking the atmosphere of the era—all cocaine-fueled parties and ruthless studio heads—than in crafting a truly original story.

West’s direction is stylish, drenched in neon lights, and evocative of films like Drive and Boogie Nights. The cinematography is solid, capturing the grit and glamour of 1980s Los Angeles. The score by Tyler Bates perfectly complements the visuals, with pulsating synth beats that heighten the tension. However, the editing feels choppy at times, disrupting the film’s flow. The pacing is uneven, with some stretches dragging and others feeling rushed.

Maxxxine isn’t without its merits. The film’s exploration of ambition and the dark underbelly of Hollywood resonates. There are moments of genuine horror that will have you squirming in your seat. But overall, the film feels like a missed opportunity. It doesn’t quite capture the lightning-in- a-bottle quality of X or the raw power of Pearl.

So, who should see Maxxxine? If you’re a die-hard fan of the X trilogy and Mia Goth’s performance, it’s worth a watch for the nostalgia factor and Goth’s captivating screen presence. But if you’re looking for a fresh take on the slasher genre or a film that delves deeper into its characters, you might leave the cinema feeling a little letdown. Maxxxine is a stylish but ultimately shallow exploration of Hollywood’dark side, a neon-soaked dream that fades a little too quickly.