Ti West concludes his trilogy of star displays featuring Mia Goth with his exploration of 1980s horror and sexploitation in MaXXXine. Following on from X and Pearl, MaXXXine delves into classic movie tropes of the era, enlivened by a strong supporting cast led by Elizabeth Debicki.
West maintains the atmospheric tension throughout, balancing elements of slasher horror with his evident appreciation for cinematic aesthetics of various periods. Each film serves as a tribute to a different era's filmmaking style.
Set in the late 70s, X takes the audience through the tale of a young film crew producing an amateur porn film in the desolate countryside of Texas. Following that, Pearl amplifies the narrative further by diving into the protagonist’s past, rewinding to 1918 when her aspirations of stardom were still alive.
The story reaches its apex in MaXXXine, taking the narrative to 1985. Maxine is now a recognizable figure in the thriving adult-film industry. The plot thickens as the city is being terrorized by a serial killer. The resolutions of Maxine's story are intermingled with the ongoing struggle within the entertainment industry against the wave of moral hysteria.
Amidst personal and professional struggles, Maxine lands the lead role in The Puritan 2, a demonic thriller intending to catapult from the trenches of video nasties to mainstream cinema. As the plot unfolds, Maxine's past revisits her in the form of disturbing violent video recordings and her increasing number of acquaintances falling victim to gruesome murders.
West's knack for capturing the essence of specific eras in film is laudable; the vibrant grit of 80s Hollywood Boulevard is manifested brilliantly in MaXXXine. The use of well-known landmarks and convincing dialogue adds to the nostalgia of the period.
The film offers a look into the world of 1980s B-movies, aided by DP Eliot Rockett's captivating tracking sequences that paint vivacious portraits of both day and nightscapes. The lines between reality and illusion continuously blur, further enriching Maxine's journey from video nastiness to mainstream projects.
MaXXXine gets its strength from its robust ensemble cast, with Goth embodying the role of a powerfully strong scream queen. The strikingly entertaining trilogy stands tall, reviving the past while carving out a path to the contemporary, embarking on a quest exploring fame, desire, and the intoxicating craft of moviemaking.
