Rest easy fans, MaXXXine continues writer-director Ti West’s streak of solid, high-concept horror movies and completes his X trilogy on a satisfying note. Here we find our heroine, Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) in Hollywood following the events in the first film, X. Now a successful porn star in Tinsletown, she is attempting to make a crossover into mainstream films. If being a starving actor with a stigma wasn’t enough to deal with, a killer is on the loose, picking off everyone close to Maxine, and getting ever closer to her.

While X reveled in the grit and grime of 70’s grindhouse cinema, and Pearl played with the old Hollywood aesthetic, MaXXXine leans into the look and feel of thrillers and slashers from the 1980’s. Here we are invited to take in the filth and intrigue of 80’s Hollywood. Rich colors and neon-lit faces are banked by the blinding lights of cars zooming down Hollywood Boulevard. There is a palpable sense of paranoia and fear in the air as The Night Stalker continues his reign of terror in the Los Angeles Area. Entertainment is under attack by the “Moral Majority” who cry out about the Satanic influences in the industry. Everyone has the habit of glancing over their shoulders for hidden dangers.

Maxine is undaunted by all of this. Attempting to forget her recent past in Texas, she is determined to make it big as a legitimate movie star. She speeds around in her convertible, having surprising luck in finding convenient parking and hitting every audition that she can. In a big break, Maxine lands the lead role in the horror film “The Puritan 2” headed up by the exacting, aspiring filmmaker Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki). Both women have big dreams, both women are ruthless in getting there. They are a perfect match to see each other’s dreams to reality.

Soon enough Detective Williams (Michelle Monaghan) and Detective Torres (Bobby Cannavale) roll up to Maxine’s apartment to investigate the murder of two of her porn co-stars. She keeps her mouth shut there but loses her cool when another gumshoe, John Labat (Kevin Bacon) begins tailing her for his own mysterious reasons. That’s when Maxine turns to her agent Teddy Night (Giancarlo Esposito). Teddy has a heart of gold and loyalty that is just as strong. Maxine is told she has one focus. She must get “The Puritan 2” made to become a star. With her co-stars being killed, and two sets of detectives watching her every move, including the Nightstalker Maxine has an uphill battle. That’s not to mention New Coke!

What is brilliant about West’s varied approach to each of these films is that it never upstages the movie itself. It’s a flex, that enhances the story without overwhelming it. The film was billed as a slasher, but frankly, that is a bit inaccurate to me.  Yes, we have a killer on the loose, we have victims, and there are some impressive kills, that is true. But, MaXXXine is more complex than that. Our “final girl” isn’t a naive innocent thrown about by the circumstances she faces. No, Maxine kicks ass. She takes control. The film has just as much in common with revenge pictures like Angel, Naked Vengence, or even Red Sonja.

Goth, for her part, continues to shine as a versatile and talented actor. She nimbly uses various dialects with ease and utilizes body language to great effect. She is a hardened, country-raised girl with street smarts beyond her years. Another standout is Esposito‘s turn as the agent Teddy. The man is compassionate but cutthroat when it comes to his star client. I also really enjoyed Debicki‘s performance as Elizabeth Bender, the director attempting to make high art from a genre that is often ignored.

Ti West sticks the landing on his 5-year odyssey to complete a fascinating trio of movies steeped in film craft while brimming with story and originality.

8 Out of 10