On July 5th, “MaXXXine” premiered in theaters, drawing in eager fans and horror enthusiasts. As the third installment in the “X” trilogy, following its previous successors “X” and “Pearl” in 2022, the film’s release has been highly anticipated. Actress Mia Goth, who plays the protagonist, and director and cinematographer Ti West, have both returned to the series to give audiences the masterfully crafted, stomach-turning horror experience that is “Maxxxine”. 

The film, set in 1980s Hollywood, focuses on Maxine’s life after surviving the mass murder which took place in “X” many years before. When Maxine lands her first role in a big movie, a mysterious serial killer emerges in the city, who murders a series of her friends and other actors. Throughout the movie, the killer blackmails Maxine, leaving her clues relating to the gruesome events of her past, and forcing her to grapple with these haunting memories. Eventually, Maxine meets the serial killer in a climactic confrontation, who turns out to be someone deeply connected with the past she has been desperately trying to escape from. 

A major component in the film’s cinematography is its attention to visual details. The flashy neon colors, bright fashion, catchy songs, and references to pop culture all help draw viewers back into the ‘80s of Hollywood. The exceptional visual effects also bring the gory and disturbing scenes to life, with fresh bodies stuffed into suitcases, torn-apart flesh, and bloody weapons in full technicolor. 

Lighting also plays a huge part in the tone and dynamic of different scenes. Dark blues and reds with sharp contrast are often used to set a sinister tone. In other parts of the film, dull yellow tones are used in eerie scenes, especially when Maxine is recounting trauma from her past. At the scene of climax when Maxine is confronting the killer, the lighting creates a spotlight on her to visually represent her reaching stardom in Hollywood. 

Maxine’s character also adds another layer of depth and showmanship within this movie. Her bleach-blonde hair, continuous smoking, and Southern drawl accent make her appearance very striking. Maxine’s character is also very dynamic and contradictory. On occasion, Goth portrays Maxine as calm, cool, and collected, and in other instances, her behavior is extremely unhinged and violent. Her tacky appearance and unpredictable nature highlight her ruthless personality and strong ambition to “be a star”, captivating the audience with her storyline.

Despite the memorable visuals and unique characterization, the plot of “MaXXXine” left me feeling underwhelmed. As the movie progressed, the plot became increasingly predictable, making it easy to tell when the next murder was going to occur and which character would be targeted. An unknowing victim would be led to a mysterious location and then be violently killed off, which follows the plot structure of many stereotypical horror works. In comparison, when watching the previous movies in the series, I was constantly kept on the edge of my seat with terrifying jump scares and twists. Overall, “MaXXXine” does a better job as a horror movie than as a thriller, so don’t be afraid to sit back in your seat.

Rating: 3.5/5