After the much-anticipated release of MaXXXine, Ti West’s trilogy is finally complete. The latest installment tries to expand the horizons set by its predecessors, X and Pearl, but falls short of grounding its ambition.
Continuing the tradition but losing steam
The first, X, is ‘the 70s, the slasher era’; Pearl is ’50s melodrama in vivid saturated color; MaXXXine is ’80s Hollywood, rancid, desperate.’
This quote from Martin Scorsese encapsulates the essence of each film in the trilogy. However, MaXXXine‘s attempt to honor this era feels more like an afterthought than a triumph. West and Goth’s fervent aim to represent different eras in cinema results in a muddled final act that struggles to leave a lasting impression.
High marks for acting yet again
Mia Goth’s performance remains a highlight in this final chapter. As Collider’s Perri Nemrioff puts it, The assured quality of West’s filmmaking continues to wow me. Mia Goth also continues to deliver exquisite work… doesn’t take long for her to take your breath away with her performance in this one.
But amidst a large ensemble cast, Goth’s brilliance often overshadows any potential depth the supporting characters could bring.
Lily Collins makes her mark
Lily Collins features prominently this time around and receives positive reception for her role. Yet her inclusion doesn’t shift the spotlight enough from Goth, who has become the synonymous face of this trilogy.
A love letter to varying eras of cinema
West and Goth‘s fidelity towards capturing distinctive cinematic epochs remains undeniable.In Ti West’s films, Mia Goth played roles that traverse timelines. From playing Maxine in X set in 1979 to an elderly killer in Pearl set in 1919, and finally the lead role of Maxine in MaXXXine set in 1985
. The visual aesthetics and tonal shifts between 70s grit, 50s melodrama, and 80s sleaze have been strikingly conveyed throughout these movies.
A mixed reception at screenings
The film had its share of applause during surprise screenings.MaXXXine concluded its trilogy with a surprise screening at the Vista Theatre during the SXSW Film Festival.
The finale sees Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) attempting to transition from adult films to legitimate Hollywood roles. British director Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki) gives her a chance with a role in ‘The Puritan II.’ Despite some engaging sequences, certain plot points feel overly convoluted and fail to land effectively.
Homage versus originality
By trying too hard to pay tribute to different eras of filmmaking, MaXXXine often loses track of its own identity. The meta-cinematic explorations do provide an interesting backdrop but hardly do justice in wrapping up what started as a groundbreaking saga. As Lon Harris insightfully remarked,MaXXXine rules. My favorite entry in the XXX trilogy. A glorious, epic salute to the history of cinematic LA sleaze…
The conclusion
X initially captivated audiences with its fresh take on slasher horror, while Pearl added depth through its period-specific storytelling. Although MaXXXine aims to imbue itself with compelling narrative arcs supported by strong performances from Mia Goth and Lily Collins, it regrettably stumbles under its lofty aspirations. This concluding film leaves us contemplating what might have been—a grand homage that sparkled but ultimately dimmed against its luminous predecessors.
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