MaXXXine — Review

If Ti West hadn’t already made clear his ambition to innovate within the horror space while simultaneously paying tribute to the historical culture of genre cinema, his latest slasher MAXXXINE is an ambitious homage that shines like crystal. Mia Goth once again stars as West’s muse, this time in a stylised ‘80s throwback that fuses slasher tropes onto the framework of a murder spree crime thriller. West’s work isn’t limited to mimicry though, and the surfeit of style he serves up amplifies the effectiveness of his twisted tale—one that’s steeped in trauma, physical torment and perverse fanaticism.

Following on from X and PEARL, both of which debuted in 2022, MAXXXINE is a sequel and concluding chapter that feels unlike the two movies that preceded it. Each of the three films share connective tissue but are uniquely executed to appeal separately. MAXXXINE makes full use of its 1980s Los Angeles setting to evoke feelings of isolation and danger, utilising authentic production design and glitzy visuals to hint at the violence and exploitation beneath Hollywood’s glossy veneer. It’s a dark odyssey that cuts through the mystique of show business, putting Goth at the centre as a determined aspiring actress who won’t let serial killings or a sleazy private investigator stop her on her path to stardom.