𝘽𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙤 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 ☑️’s review published on Letterboxd:
"'Cuz I'm a star. Ain't nobody else like me.
The whole world's gonna know my name".
“MaXXXine” is a film that shows us the mix of bloody horror with an old Hollywood setting in a vivid way.
It's only fitting that a film franchise celebrating the meta art of filmmaking closes its final chapter in Hollywood by showcasing its dark side without outright demonizing it. At its core, the X trilogy is about the film industry. More specifically, it's about horror and horror films, and the people who make them. While "X" and "Pearl" explore these themes clearly, "MaXXXine" delves into them more explicitly thanks to the Hollywood setting. These films are also studies of the horror genre through the ages. The 1970s, as shown in "X", were a time of social upheaval, disillusionment and experimentation. Old Hollywood was in decline, giving rise to independent films and filmmakers. This, in turn, also gave rise to full-length porn films that coincided with the sexual revolution of the time. The horror genre exploded during this period, but it was especially lurid and almost nihilistic in its brutality.
Ti Wes has become a master of homage, and here the influences are not just 1980s Hollywood but also the nasty videos from that era. It's dirty in all the right ways. There's dark fun to be had as long as you don't have a problem with blood and guts. West has a brilliant sense of time and place in his works, and “MaXXXine” is no exception. Bringing some of his characters from previous films into this story pays off in a big way, especially considering how salacious it made Los Angeles seem at the time. There was a beauty to "X" and "Pearl" in the Texas farm. It's a different vibe here.
It's worth remembering that this is the heaviest plot and also the most violent in the trilogy, which is no easy task.
Mia Goth continues to do incredible work in this franchise. She's the scream queen in this trilogy, but also, obviously, much more than that. There's a captivating presence to Goth that she exudes in all of these films, with a confidence that here is hypnotic. You'd follow her in a character study, let alone a horror film. "X" pulled double duty and "Pearl" pulled off a tour de force, but that's pure star power.
The combination of Tyler Bates' original music and '80s tracks not only enriches the film's listening experience, but also broadens its emotional and stylistic appeal. Combining familiar 80s tunes with a bit of glam rock, new wave and synth pop songs, the soundtrack takes us back to the 80s. This careful integration of different musical styles helps build an immersive atmosphere that transports the viewer into the vivid and dark world of “MaXXXine”.
The film's effects are also excellent, especially the wonderfully graphic violence that has become a trademark of this franchise. The practical effects in “MaXXXine” add that extra “yuck” factor needed to get that visceral feeling of disgust and awe from the viewer.
The sexual content is toned down compared to "X", which fits thematically as the story focuses on Maxine's difficult transition from adult film star to serious film actor via a horror film sequel. However, “MaXXXine” doesn't stray too far from its roots – there's a lot of nudity and a particularly memorable battle of a sexual nature. Given the film's setting, the gore and its presentation are toned down but more polished and deliberate, with stabbings, flaming pentagrams, and exploding skulls that would make practical effects legend Tom Savini proud.
If “MaXXXine” ends up being the finale of an X trilogy, fans will reflect on the series as one that keeps getting better, each bringing its own flavor and offering its own angle on the entertainment industry. If this is not the end, however, more is certainly welcome, and we can hope that the quality trajectory continues.
