Spoilers are not allowed to stay past their bedtime.

We’re finally at the finale of Ti West’s trilogy that started with X (2022), followed by prequel Pearl (2022). You don’t need to have seen either, and this film works as a standalone without requiring explanation. I also think the connection can be as slim as you need it to be, so don’t expect an overarching plot to be resolved here. It doesn’t need it to be honest, the film stands on its own.

(Credit: A24)

MaXXXine (2024) is written and directed by Ti West. The titular anti-heroine Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) has made it to Hollywood, but as a stripper and a porn actress. She seems to have finally land her big break as the actress of a new film helmed by charismatic and controversial director Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki) when a series of gruesome serial killings start taking place. They’re attributed to the Night Stalker, although a few of them are believed to be copycat murders, which seem to come too close for comfort for Maxine. On top of that she has a private detective (Kevin Bacon) on her tail who seems to be working for someone who knows her past.

Let’s cut through the chase. The movie is one of those 80’s inspired suspense films, it has more of a thriller cut than a horror one, and it does seem to do the era justice with both music and fashion without going overboard the way other films tend to do. Even some of the cast feels a little from that era. There’s a moment of truth where the setup and background seems to be plucked straight out of an 80’s movie. The finale is rather murky. It does tie everything up with a bow, but as clean as things seem to be it also easily can be seen as some sort of a false ending. We’re left to our own devices whether that’s something that actually happened or not.

Recommended if you saw the first two, not because it resolves anything but because it’s a wrap up of sorts. It’s sort of a mystery thriller except that it’s more visual than substance. I’d venture to say that although you don’t need to see the other two, it’s probably best you wait and see them first just to see if this is a trilogy you want to see till the end.

That will do for now.