MAXXXINE

 

Coming off the financial and critical success of both X and Pearl, it only makes sense that filmmaker Ti West got the chance to cap off his horror trilogy with MaXXXine. Drenched in neon and set to a fist-pumping 80s soundtrack, this trilogy closer proves to be another different beast in the trilogy and yet another vehicle for Mia Goth to show off her undeniable talent.

In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) finally gets her big break. However, as the mysterious Night Stalker targets the starlets of Los Angeles, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.

What has been such a refreshing thing about this trilogy from Ti West is just how different and unique each film feels from the other. They'd all qualify as slashers yet the time-period they're set in and the respective characters of each set them apart from one another quite distinctly. West manages to combine the nasty kills from X with the great performances from Pearl so well to close out his trilogy in such spectacular fashion - the neon soaked streets of LA and a killer soundtrack packed full of 80s hits that making it so easy to fall in love with.

West ties in the hunt for the Night Stalker, a notorious serial killer who terrorised California in the 80s, into the narrative and it works a treat for the film. It's handled respectfully and seamlessly plays into the story West throws our way as Maxine Minx tries to become a true Hollywood star. It's nasty with its kills and playful with the situations Maxine is thrown into - one moment in particular causing the audience to audibly wince in unison - and for good reason too. It's darkly funny as well, some humour littered throughout the slate of killings that feels at home, as it has done in the previous films in the trilogy.

Front and centre of MaXXXine is a performance from Mia Goth that sees her capping off her star-making trilogy in style. It's great to see her exude such confidence in the genre and honestly, she just absolutely owns the screen with her presence. You put Mia Goth in your film and it's guaranteed fireworks. Goth stars alongside a supporting cast that ranges from Halsey to Giancarlo Esposito, yet it's Kevin Bacon sleazy private detective, John Labat, who threatens to steal the show. Bacon plays it so well and it's a delight to watch him revel in the role.

Rounding off his trilogy with such pizazz, Ti West delivers a stylised 80s homage that puts Mia Goth in the spotlight and lets her run with it. You know what, she's a fucking movie star!

Verdict: ★★★★