80s B Movie with A+ Cast, Acting, and Story - Maxxxine Movie Review

"MaXXXine" is the third installment in Ti West's trilogy that began with "X" and "Pearl." Set in 1985, the film follows Maxine Minx, the lone survivor of the farmhouse massacre in "X." Now a successful figure in the adult film industry in Hollywood, Maxine is determined to transition to mainstream stardom.

Maxine, portrayed by Mia Goth, has evolved significantly. Goth describes Maxine as more confident and ambitious, driven by her success in adult films. She is cast in the lead role of "The Puritan 2," directed by Elizabeth Debicki's no-nonsense British filmmaker. The film introduces a larger setting, a star-studded supporting cast including Kevin Bacon and Giancarlo Esposito, and a shadowy villain inspired by the real-life Night Stalker.

"MaXXXine" is a love letter to the 1980s and cinema, exploring the craft of filmmaking and the evolution of its characters. It echoes the ambition of the protagonist and the transformative journey she undertakes, paralleling Mia Goth's own career growth.

The trilogy began in 2019 when Ti West and producer Jacob Jaffke joked about creating a porno-horror trilogy with escalating X, XX, and XXX ratings. A24 embraced the idea, leading to the creation of "MaXXXine" as a psychosexual thriller set in the 1980s VHS era. Unlike its predecessors, "X" and "Pearl," which had contained settings, "MaXXXine" expands into the bustling heart of Los Angeles, reflecting the era's cultural vibrancy and excess.

"MaXXXine" features a grander scale and more ambitious production design. Los Angeles is a character in itself, with scenes set in iconic locations like Hollywood Boulevard and Universal Studios. Production designer Jason Kisvardy aimed to recreate a gritty, authentic 1980s Hollywood, avoiding clichés and focusing on a realistic depiction of the era.

The character of Maxine undergoes a significant transformation in style, reflecting her ambition and the period's aesthetics. Hair, makeup, and costume teams worked meticulously to create a look that was quintessentially 1980s without falling into campiness. Maxine's blonde wig, big hair, and period-specific makeup were designed to balance authenticity and the larger-than-life feel of the era.

The film features a diverse cast of supporting characters, each contributing to the narrative's richness. Kevin Bacon plays Labat, a seedy private detective, while Elizabeth Debicki's character, Elizabeth Bender, serves as Maxine's mentor in the film industry. Giancarlo Esposito portrays Maxine's agent-lawyer, capturing the hedonistic spirit of the 1980s.

"MaXXXine" utilized several real-life locations, including a meticulously dressed Hollywood Boulevard and the iconic Psycho house at Universal Studios. The production faced logistical challenges, such as securing permits and managing time constraints, but these locations added authenticity and depth to the film's portrayal of 1980s Hollywood.

"MaXXXine" concludes Ti West's trilogy with a grand, cinematic exploration of ambition, transformation, and the love of filmmaking. It celebrates the 1980s and the journey of its central character, Maxine, as she navigates the treacherous path to stardom in a vividly recreated Hollywood landscape. I highly recommend this movie. It felt like an 80s true crime story that was lost in time until the VHS tapes discovered recently. I do hope that this isn’t the last in the”X” Series.