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The excitement is building as MaXXXine, the highly anticipated final chapter in Ti West's chilling X trilogy, gears up for its streaming debut next month on Max.
Starring Mia Goth as Maxine Minx, it is set against the backdrop of 1985 Los Angeles, a time shadowed by the terror of the notorious serial killer. The film weaves real-life horrors into its fictional narrative, creating a captivating blend of slasher thrills and commentary on fame. As Maxine navigates her burgeoning career in Hollywood, the tension escalates when those around her begin to fall victim to a mysterious killer.
As we await the release, this article dives into all the essential details about MaXXXine, from its captivating plot and ensemble cast to the minds that brought it to life. Get ready for a thrilling exploration of the film’s twists and turns—you won’t want to miss it! We will keep this article updated with new information as it becomes available.
Release date & Where to Watch
MaXXXine will be available for streaming on Max starting Friday, Oct. 18, 2024followed by its linear premiere on HBO on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at 8 pm ET. This film is rated R for strong violence, gore, sexual content, graphic nudity, language, and drug use.
Having made its theatrical debut at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on June 24, 2024, MaXXXine was officially released in the United States by A24 on July 5, 2024, where it quickly became the highest-grossing film in the series, earning $22 million worldwide.
Plot
MaXXXine continues the journey of Maxine Minx, portrayed by Mia Goth, who has become a fan-favorite character in Ti West’s X trilogy. Set in 1985 Los Angeles, the film focuses on Maxine's relentless pursuit of stardom in the entertainment industry, which quickly spirals into chaos as she becomes embroiled in a series of gruesome murders.
As a direct sequel to X, it blends slasher horror with a critical commentary on fame. Following her harrowing escape from the events of X, Maxine is determined to succeed as an actress. She auditions for roles and secures a leading part in a low-budget horror sequel, The Puritan II. However, her rise to fame is complicated by the shadow of her violent past and the looming threat of the Night Stalker, a notorious serial killer terrorizing the city.
The narrative unfolds as Maxine's past resurfaces, forcing her to confront her former life in adult films and the deadly circumstances surrounding her. After declining invitations to parties from friends Leon and Amber, she encounters a mysterious figure who leaves behind a VHS tape connected to her past. The film escalates when her friends Amber and Tabby are brutally murdered, prompting Maxine to take matters into her own hands.
In her quest for safety and success, Maxine becomes entangled with a private investigator, John Labat, who presents her with an ultimatum related to her past crimes. The tension mounts as she navigates threats from both her estranged father, a televangelist involved in the murders, and the LAPD detectives investigating the killings.
As the plot progresses, Maxine confronts her father's twisted beliefs and the fanatical followers of his ministry. The climax builds to a confrontation at the Hollywood sign, where Maxine ultimately takes decisive action against her father. The film concludes with her achieving a measure of fame as the star of The Puritan II, hinting at a complicated relationship with her newfound success and the violent past she cannot escape.
This film encapsulates the dark themes of ambition and the price of fame while delivering a thrilling horror experience.
MaXXXine Cast
- Mia Goth as Maxine Minx
- Charley Rowan McCain as young Maxine Miller: A younger version of Maxine
- Elizabeth Debicki as Elizabeth Bender: A British director working on The Puritan II.
- Moses Sumney as Leon: A supportive video store employee and close friend of Maxine.
- Michelle Monaghan as It. Williams
- Bobby Cannavale as It. Torres
- Halsey as Tabby Martin: A porn star and one of Maxine’s friends
- Lily Collins as Molly Bennett: An actress known for her role in the first Puritan film
- Giancarlo Esposito as Teddy Knight, Esq.: An agent representing talent in the adult film industry.
- Kevin Bacon as John Labat: A private investigator
- Simon Prast as Ernest Miller: A televangelist and estranged father of Maxine
- Sophie Thatcher as an FX Artist
- Uli Latukefu as Shephard Turei
- Chloe Farnworth as Amber James: Another porn star in Maxine’s circle of friends
- Deborah Geffner as Elaine: A casting director
- Ned Vaughn as the news anchor
- Larry Fessenden as a security guard
- Toby Huss as a coroner
MaXXXine Trailer
The extensive trailer reintroduces Mia Goth's character as she pursues her dream of stardom in 1980s Los Angeles. The trailer embraces plenty of '80s nostalgia, signaling that Ti West has crafted a horror experience steeped in the era's distinctive style and atmosphere.
The second trailer continues to embrace the vibrant aesthetics of the '80s, opening with a faux VHS effect that sets the tone for the film-within-the-film featuring Lily Collins.
Critical & Audience Reception
MaXXXine has garnered attention from both critics and audiences since its release. Many reviews highlight Ti West's ability to maintain a captivating atmosphere while continuing the story of Maxine Minx. Critics praise the film for its sharp direction and engaging performances, particularly noting Mia Goth's standout role, which showcases her versatility as an actress.
Audience reception has been largely positive, with viewers appreciating the film's blend of horror and suspense, as well as its seamless connection to the previous installments in the trilogy. Some fans have expressed excitement over the film's exploration of themes like ambition and identity, while others have praised its unique style and narrative structure. Overall, MaXXXine seems to resonate well with both longtime fans of the franchise and newcomers alike, solidifying its place in the horror genre.
Is MaXXXine a Sequel to Pearl?
MaXXXine is the 2024 horror film that serves as the third installment in Ti West's X trilogy, following X and Pearl. Unlike Pearl, which acted as a prequel set during World War I focusing on the backstory of the killer from X, it is a direct sequel to X. Therefore, it picks up where X left off, continuing the story of Maxine Minx.
While Pearl is not a direct precursor, it is still an important part of the trilogy, giving context to the overarching narrative. However, if you're preparing to watch MaXXXine, revisiting X may be the most relevant since the new film continues directly from that story.
What is the Future of the X Trilogy?
With the ambiguous ending of MaXXXine, many fans have speculated about the future of the X trilogy. Director Ti West has hinted at possible continuations but has also suggested that this might mark the conclusion of Maxine Minx’s journey. In a Reddit AMA in August 2024, West stated that he is satisfied with how the series ended, leaving little indication of future installments directly connected to Maxine.
However, earlier in the year, West had mentioned plans for a fourth film, dependent on the reception of MaXXXine. By May 2024, he confirmed he was working on ideas for this potential follow-up, though he later tempered expectations by saying he was happy with where the trilogy ended. While a fourth film remains uncertain, there is still potential for spin-offs or new narratives focusing on other characters.
For now, West seems to be moving on from the X trilogy, with horror fans eagerly anticipating his next project. Many hope he will return to standalone horror films, such as The House of the Devil or The Innkeepers, which remain beloved by genre enthusiasts.
Behind the Scenes
Ti West directed the film from his own script and produced it alongside Jacob Jaffke, Kevin Turen, Harrison Kreiss, and Mia Goth.
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Written by ODD Balls
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