Ti West’s ‘MaXXXine’ wraps up his horror trilogy set against the gritty backdrop of 1980s Hollywood. MaXXXine, set to release on July 5th, promises a thrilling continuation of Maxine Minx’s journey, as portrayed by Mia Goth.
A Far Cry from Texas
West’s initial entry, X, set in 1979 Texas, introduced us to Maxine—an adult film star striving for recognition. A slasher ensued when their elderly hosts turned murderous. Set six years later, MaXXXine follows Maxine pursuing her acting ambitions in Los Angeles.
A Period Piece Full of Suspense
The film promises a whodunit slasher narrative. According to the official synopsis, a mysterious killer targets Hollywood starlets, threatening to unveil Maxine’s sinister past. This fresh take juxtaposes the glamorous side and seedy underbelly of Hollywood.
The Ensemble Cast
Featuring an ensemble cast including Halsey, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon, ‘MaXXXine’ ensures a star-studded spectacle.
Understanding Transcendental Style
The artistic choices in MaXXXine may reflect director Ti West’s intent to explore the transcendental style. As Paul Schrader notes, transcendental style seeks to maximize the mystery of existence; it eschews all conventional interpretations of reality
. This approach will likely be seen in Maxine’s complex evolution as a character.
A Visual Journey
‘MaXXXine’ captures an authentic 1980s aesthetic, from high-octane sequences reminiscent of The Terminator
to intense scenes evoking Vice Squad
. Ti West himself described the film as having a ‘Terminator’-like aesthetic with a Paul Schrader hardcore thing
.
The Story So Far
Mia Goth reprises her role as Maxine Minx from ‘X’, which followed aspiring porn stars who became victims of a murderous couple on a Texas ranch. The SXSW premiere saw widespread acclaim, making ‘X’ an instant hit among adventurous horror fans.
A Complex Heroine
Mia Goth’s portrayal of both Maxine and Pearl has garnered praise for its depth and complexity. Her performance continues to anchor the trilogy with emotional intensity and compelling duality.
A Memorable Conclusion
‘MaXXXine’ provides a fitting conclusion to Ti West’s trilogy, offering both closure and new thrills for fans. As we anticipate its release, one can only imagine what twists and turns will envelop Maxine’s journey to stardom amidst a bloody Hollywood setting.
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