DVD Corner

MaXXXine 4K UHD Review

“MaXXXine” closes out a stellar trilogy. 

Written and directed by Ti West, “MaXXXine” is the third and final installment of the X trilogy (with “X” and “Pearl” being the first two entries). This time the story is set in 1985 and finds Maxine Minx working as an adult film star. Maxine, however, has bigger dreams and wants to become a legitimate movie star. She lands a job on a horror film, but her good fortune becomes interrupted. Someone (perhaps the Night Stalker killer) is killing off her friends, 2 suspicious cops (Williams and Torres) are hovering around, a Private Eye (John) is attempting to blackmail her for a client, and her past is very much coming back to haunt her. Despite being quite capable of handling herself, will Maxine be able to survive and continue her career?

After the superb “Pearl,” expectations were high for “MaXXXine.” While it never quite reaches the heights of “Pearl,” there’s certainly a lot to admire about this third entry. For one, the 80’s Hollywood setting is perfectly captured here via landmarks and a thrilling sequence in the Universal backlot that even includes the Bates Motel. Ti West manages to show the allure and the dark underbelly of the entertainment capital of the world while telling Maxine’s story. The Night Stalker backdrop is also quite effective here as it delves into the 80’s satanic panic while simultaneously mixing in clear giallo references. And yes, for those wondering, there is plenty of gore to be found here. 

Thematically, “MaXXXine” really ties everything together by showcasing the parallels between Maxine and Pearl’s lives although one obviously finds more success than the other. 

Where the film falls a little short is with the clunky third act. Sure, it makes sense and it was clearly building to this, but the whole villain reveal felt a bit too obvious and overblown.

Performance wise, this is Mia Goth’s movie through and through. She is quite simply one of the best and most captivating actresses around. There’s a dedication and intensity to her performances that just grab your attention. Goth is joined by a rather stacked cast including Kevin Bacon (in a very different role for him as a southern PI), Elizabeth Debicki (as a director in Maxine’s corner), Michelle Monaghan (as a Detective), Halsey, and Giancarlo Esposito.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. How does it look? The stylized film looks pristine on 4K.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? A superb Atmos track from the soundtrack on down.

Extras:
* Blu-ray copy
* Digital copy
* Theatrical and teaser trailers along with “Pearl,” “X,” “Civil War,” and “Talk To Me” trailers
* A 25 ½ minute Q&A With Director Ti West (and his dog Molly) moderated by Jen Yamato.
* “Hollywood Is A Killer”- A behind-the-scenes look at the makeup and clothes.
* “XXX Marks The Spot”- A look at the visual style of the 80’s set “MaXXXine.”
* “The Belly Of The Beast” contains interviews, story and character discussions, and behind-the-scenes footage.

October 6, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Horror Movie, MaXXXine, MaXXXine 4K UHD Review, Mia Goth, Pearl, Ti West, X, X Trilogy