Ti West’s ‘Maxxxine’ (2024) is the third and final installment in the Pearl Trilogy, and perhaps the last time we’ll see this character (hopefully not). West manages to impress once again with this film, where he bends previous horror genres into his own contemporary film. This is also a film that falls into category of movies about making movies, which is always so fun to see. Mia Goth goes back to the Maxine Minx character, and shows yet another side of her acting style in this picture. Unfortunately the film was very predictable, and the mystery behind the film really wasn’t working for me. However, I went in and realized I didn’t need a good mystery, because I am in love with the style of this film. This is the weakest of the trilogy, but it is absolutely worth a watch. 

The entire ‘Maxxxine’ (2024) film is one big homage to the old Italian genre of the 1970’s and 1980’s, which was the Giallo film. A black leather gloved killer is stalking our lead character, while the lead is trying to catch the killer. A classic Italian trope that messes with different genres for sure. Giallo is a mixture of horror, thriller, and mystery, and it takes a lot of notes on being very stylistic. Even if the writing is not the strongest, you can still tell how the film falls into a Giallo genre. Sure, this is not as strong as the 1970’s Dario Argento classics like ‘The Bird With The Crystal Plumage’ (1970) or ‘Deep Red’ (1975), but I still think Argento would be proud to see an homage like this towards his work. 

I love horror movies and I love thrillers, but more importantly, I love movies where the characters are making movies. This entire film is centered around Maxine Minx and her journey through the porn industry, into making Hollywood films. Because of this, many references call back to some of the classic films of the 1980’s and earlier. Obviously the ‘Psycho’ (1960) references are very tongue in cheek, but there is even more when you look deeper. This is a really fun film about making movies, and it isn’t as good as ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ (2019), but it is a film that can hold its own. 

‘Maxxxine’ (2024) takes place in the mid 1980’s L.A. scene. I absolutely love a setting like this. We get to see the pool top houses in the hills, and the beauty of the entire city. The whole movie calls back to a time when Hollywood really was the city on the hill. This movie nails the look of it all, and it really gets the ascetic down. Other films that managed to pull out a wonderful looking L.A. house like this were ‘Once Upon a Time In Hollywood’ (2019), and ‘The Nice Guys’ (2017), both of which are more call backs to the 1960’s and 1970’s. This is the 1980’s edition of L.A. and it makes me realize now how fun all three of those films would be together. The whole look of the film is spot on and really brings home the feel of a time period. 

The supporting cast of ‘Maxxxine’ (2024) is the best in the trilogy. First off, Mia Goth returns to finish out her trilogy, and she really does it again. This time though, she is up against some of the best in this contemporary Hollywood world. Kevin Bacon hams it up as a greasy private detective, Elizabeth Debicki plays the tough but fair director who helps guide Maxine through her career. Other famous names that show up are Giancarlo Esposito, Halsey, Sophie Thatcher, Bobby Cannavale, and Michelle Monaghan. This is by far the biggest cast in this film series with the most recognizable names. Each actor has their moments in the spotlight, and it really does lead to a fun time at the moves. 

The Pearl Trilogy is at an end, and ‘Maxxxine’ (2024) is the way Ti West wanted to close it out. The three films chronicle many different things, and explore some pretty complex ideas. I love when I watched all three films, I couldn’t see what style of horror film Ti West was going for the entire time. There are ups and downs throughout these movies, but truly, this is just one strong trilogy. Mia Goth really shows off her talents as an actress, and she proves she has plenty of range. Each movie is so different and unique, and that’s probably a big reason I’m in love with this series. I hope Ti ends up wanting to make more films like this, because he knowns how to work them. 

Though this was my least favorite of the trilogy, I still had loads of fun with the movie. There is so much unique, and specific references in this film, that really make for a fun time at the movies. Ti West delivered lightning in a bottle with a horror trilogy about the porn industry, but it really all was just a fun and exciting ride through the movies. I cannot wait to see what Mia Goth and Ti West both do in their futures, but I can promise, I’ll be in the theater for sure when they do it.