MaXXXine Review
Words by Alex Secilmis 13 July 2024
Words by Alex Secilmis 13 July 2024
On paper, MaXXXine was the perfect scary summer movie. Ti West and Mia Goth do 80s horror? Surely a combination as winning as 70s-set chillers and a soundtrack feat “Don’t Fear the Reaper”?
The good news is that MaXXXine is a fun time at the cinema and a must-watch for horror fans. After X (2022) did the proto-slasher and Pearl (2022) gave us a murderous melodrama, this time the genre under the microscope is the giallo and De Palma’s 80s imitations. And it works! (those leather gloves get me every time). Goth still has an unrivalled screen presence; Giancarlo Esposito and Moses Sumney shine in bit parts; and the retro aesthetics are well realised through Mark-An Ceo’s striking costume design and Tyler Bates’ sleazy score. Once again, West’s homage comes off as more tasteful than the in-your-face indulgent nostalgia that has characterised the streaming age.
The bad news? I know it’s early, but I believe Goth’s dual performance as Maxine/Pearl has given us one of the great leads in horror history. Unfortunately, MaXXXine doesn’t do much do develop that excellent character: there’s no fresh take on her desire for fame and a thinly realised arc about her “every woman for herself” attitude. Her demons are under-explored—a far cry from Pearl’s brash, bloody study of repressed sexuality and pent-up rage. Still, the film retains enough of West’s signature (schlocky yet thoughtful genre flicks) to be worth the watch.
MaXXXine has been by far the most divisive of West’s trilogy, so I’m especially curious to hear what you thought—let us know in the comments! The rumour mill speaks of a fourth instalment and I, for one, hope it’s not the end. Maxine making it big in 90s erotic thrillers? Whatever it is, I’m sure she’s going places. She’s a star, after all.
The good news is that MaXXXine is a fun time at the cinema and a must-watch for horror fans. After X (2022) did the proto-slasher and Pearl (2022) gave us a murderous melodrama, this time the genre under the microscope is the giallo and De Palma’s 80s imitations. And it works! (those leather gloves get me every time). Goth still has an unrivalled screen presence; Giancarlo Esposito and Moses Sumney shine in bit parts; and the retro aesthetics are well realised through Mark-An Ceo’s striking costume design and Tyler Bates’ sleazy score. Once again, West’s homage comes off as more tasteful than the in-your-face indulgent nostalgia that has characterised the streaming age.
The bad news? I know it’s early, but I believe Goth’s dual performance as Maxine/Pearl has given us one of the great leads in horror history. Unfortunately, MaXXXine doesn’t do much do develop that excellent character: there’s no fresh take on her desire for fame and a thinly realised arc about her “every woman for herself” attitude. Her demons are under-explored—a far cry from Pearl’s brash, bloody study of repressed sexuality and pent-up rage. Still, the film retains enough of West’s signature (schlocky yet thoughtful genre flicks) to be worth the watch.
MaXXXine has been by far the most divisive of West’s trilogy, so I’m especially curious to hear what you thought—let us know in the comments! The rumour mill speaks of a fourth instalment and I, for one, hope it’s not the end. Maxine making it big in 90s erotic thrillers? Whatever it is, I’m sure she’s going places. She’s a star, after all.