Movie Review: Ti West’s “MaXXXine” Ends A Horror Trilogy That Should Have Never Made It This Far

In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.

Horror movies have been my passion since I was a ten-year-old kid, trembling in front of the TV. As I grew up, my fear turned into fascination. The genre still thrills me today, and I love how horror takes me on a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions. It’s a genre that peaks, plateaus, and then gets a jolt of fresh energy from a bold new filmmaker.

When Ti West’s “X” arrived in 2022, the buzz was big. I had to see it. But walking out of the theater, I felt “meh.” West took “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” vibe and gave it a porn-industry twist. Kids with cameras meet a grisly end on a remote Texas farm. Been there, done that. His follow-up, “Pearl,” was a prequel that added nothing new to the mix.

So now we have “MaXXXine,” the supposed final chapter. We catch up with Maxine Minx (Mia Goth), the sole survivor of “X,” now an LA porn star in 1985. She lands a mainstream film role, but a mysterious VHS tape threatens to expose her dark past. As friends die and a sleazy PI, John Labat (Kevin Bacon), blackmails her, Maxine must face a figure from her past who’ll stop at nothing to save her soul…or destroy her.

My central issue with this series lies in its underwhelming character development, particularly with its protagonist, Maxine. While her desire to break free from a restrictive religious upbringing and pursue success is undeniably relatable, the creators fail to flesh her out beyond this singular motivation. Maxine feels less like a fully realized character and more like a hollow vessel, a blank slate onto which the author projects the plot’s trajectory without providing meaningful depth or inner conflict.

This lack of character development is compounded by the narrative’s overreliance on tantalizing threads that ultimately lead nowhere. The constant references to the Night Stalker, for instance, build a sense of foreboding and intrigue, hinting at a dark connection that never materializes. This persistent teasing without a satisfying payoff is frustrating, leaving the viewers feeling misled and invested in plot points that fail to deliver.

The climax, which aims for a jarring revelation, falls similarly flat. Rather than eliciting shock or surprise, the ‘twist’ barely registers due to the preceding narrative’s failure to effectively foreshadow or build genuine tension. The result is a conclusion that prompts not gasps but shrugs – a testament to the series’ inability to craft compelling characters or a truly engaging mystery.

Unfortunately, “MaXXXine” misses the mark in advancing the plot or developing its characters. Audiences seeking new insights may find themselves disappointed. While the series demonstrates director West’s imaginative capabilities, Maxine’s character seems to have reached her potential. Her journey, while intriguing at first, ultimately doesn’t contribute significant depth to the narrative. As viewers, we’re left wondering – what creative direction will West pursue next to reinvigorate the story?

In Theaters Friday, July 5th

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