MaXXXine is the finale in Maxine Minx’s story from Ti West, which began with the film, X. In Maxxxine, we see Maxine Minx a couple of years after the horrible events of X. We see the massacre is being dubbed the “Porn Star Massacre” in the new film and Maxine’s past seems to have finally caught up to here as the only survivor. Maxine also has to deal with a killer on the loose while making sure she remembers her lines for her first big break in “The Puritan 2”.

MaXXXine, like its predecessors, is another love letter to the horror genre. We saw the grindhouse era with X, the technicolor craze in Pearl and with MaXXXine, the Giallo vibes are sprinkled throughout 80’s sleaze. One thing the film does exceptionally well is that it really puts us in 1980’s Hollywood. The 80’s aesthetic was all over this one and it truly felt like MaXXXine could be a movie you pull out of the video store back in the 80’s. Ti West really knows how to give his films the look and feel of a classic. MaXXXine has some gorgeous cinematography and creative set designs. It truly is a beautiful film and one that has made its scope much larger than its predecessors.

Kevin Bacon and Giancarlo Esposito give some very cartoonish performances in the best way possible. Lily Collins as Molly Bennet and Halsey’s characters leave a pretty good impact, despite their short time in the film. Elizabeth Debicki gives a great performance as the demanding director Elizabeth Bender. Moses Sumney as Maxine’s BFF is one of the freshest aspects of the film and was such a great addition. Overall, the film showcases a lot of these actors in passing sometimes in a way that feels similar to Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

MaXXXine really shines when it’s showcasing the giallo and whodunit aspects, however as we unravel the mystery that spark disappears. There’s a junkyard scene that’s very wild and one of the most appealing moments. However, this is where I feel the film completely falls apart for me after this particular scene. The story takes a completely different turn from where the movie was the first two thirds. I’m not opposed to any fun or parody vibes, but the sharp turn MaXXXine takes in certain aspects was jarring. It left me wondering if this movie was even necessary or just an afterthought. X and Pearl feel a lot stronger especially in their final acts and MaXXXine was just the opposite. The predecessors soaked in their finales while MaXXXine felt like it was rushing to end.

I’m by no means saying I hated the movie though because there were still a lot of strong aspects. I truly feel what makes the film strong is that there is no weak link in the film’s cast. The movie’s story however doesn’t hold up as much as the visuals and acting. I found myself frustrated by the story and the film’s final act. I probably sound like a broken record bringing up the previous two films but, in a trilogy, you have to. MaXXXine isn’t a perfect film and does have its share of problems. However, if you’re a fan of the X trilogy this film is a must watch just so you can conclude Maxine’s story. MaXXXine might not be my favorite film of the three, but it does have some of the more memorable scenes of the trilogy.

We give MaXXXine a 3.5/5.