MaXXXine (2024) ***

MaXXXine (2024) is a solid third entry in the X series, though it felt little bit too much like a season of American Horror Story (2011–present) (but I will say this picture felt less nostalgia-gazing than many others that wade in similar waters). Much like X (2022) (review) with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) (review), the callouts (De Palma, gialli, etc.) in MaXXXine were a little on the nose—literally in the case of Chinatown (1974)—but they were still enjoyable (and Kevin Bacon played another great slimeball). Mia Goth was good here but, other than a superb opening scene, lacked the conviction that she had in Pearl (2022) (review). Giancarlo Esposito steals all his scenes (as you would expect). The ending was pretty messy and felt rushed, as if it needed more refinement in the writing stage (in general, the comments on the Hollywood system and the meta aspects of a movie-within-a-movie are never satisfactorily explored, either). There were a few strong murder set pieces. All in all, a fun film. I liked it more than X but less than Pearl.

Ti West Feature Films Ranked