MaXXXine felt more like a direct sequel to Pearl than X… which is a plus for me since I loved Pearl but am very, very lukewarm on X. But it’s in active communication with both films and ideally you should have seen both – plus a whole lot of Hollywood movies – to get the most out of this third film. 

It follows Maxine, secretly the sole survivor of the Texas Porn Star Massacre. It’s now the 80s and she’s moved to Hollywood to become a star… while continuing her porn career while unknowingly following Pearl’s life goals. But a killer has tracked her down so its her against the crazies.

Maxine has become the 75% less crazy version of Pearl… she’s a boss bitch who will take the violence to her stalkers by hook or by crook (but mainly by handgun or by car keys). I love this evolution of a survivor who might just be channeling her inner Pearl.

Mia Goth continues to prove she’s a star as she brings layers to her character. I love how she’s in it for herself… she was taught that from an early age and her experiences in X drove it home. This film, however, allows her to evolve and I dig how that evolution is ingrained into the story. Plus I’m fascinated by her uneven freckles… 

There’s also an abundance of cool Hollywood history and references. I’m not sure if they are all pertinent to this film but it was fun to see familiar sets or call out costumes and nose damage to earlier films. There’s also a giallo element that ultimately doesn’t go far as it could but it was nice to see someone don the black leather gloves.

The reveal of the killer though is a bit mixed. It makes perfect sense as a sequel to X but you have to have a solid memory of that film for it to work (I was a little wobbly). If you come in without any foreknowledge, the final act will seem like a random right turn… even if they seed the villain’s motivations via 80s paranoia.

I was thoroughly engaged in every step Maxine took as a driven protagonist. She is the star and so is Goth…. though Hollywood in the 80s makes a show of itself too. I waited through the end credits to see if they’d tease a fourth film… but alas no. But in that I did means a lot. 

Score: 86