MaXXXine 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		0.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

MaXXXine 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 4, 2025

Note: This version of this film is available as part of A24's X Trilogy 4K collection. A24 is offering this new collector's edition box set of Ti West's trilogy, and a cursory examination of previous 1080 and 4K releases of the various films is kind of an object lesson in how kind of peculiar the boutique label / studio is and how its relationship with Lionsgate makes for some variant release strategies (those with long memories will know I actually put A24 as a studio in my top spot in my Top 10 list a few years ago, so when I say "peculiar" it's actually kind of a compliment). As the sticker on this set announces, this collector's edition offers the first 4K releases of X and Pearl in the U.S., which itself kind of begs the question as to previous 4K releases for other nations in other territories (a search of our database will reward sleuths in that regard). But here in good ol' 'Murica (a coinage which seems somehow particularly apt for this triptych), X received a 1080 release under Lionsgate branding in 2022, pretty quickly followed by Pearl that same year also under Lionsgate branding, and then MaXXXine and MaXXXine 4K (which included the 1080 presentation) in 2024 following suit by being offered by Lionsgate. There have been a number of A24 offerings that have had initial Lionsgate 1080 and/or 4K releases which were then followed by A24 exclusives (Everything Everywhere All At Once 4K and Everything Everywhere All At Once 4K spring instantly to mind, though there are others), but this is the first time to my memory where an A24 release is offering 4K debuts like this where there's already been a 4K release of one film in a series by Lionsgate.

The collector's edition also includes some packaging extras, covered in the supplements section of the X Trilogy 4K Blu-ray review .

A24 is also offering a 1080 X Trilogy for those interested.

My thoughts on the film are offered in my MaXXXine 4K Blu-ray review and MaXXXine Blu-ray review from 2024.

MaXXXine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: This release does not include a 1080 Blu-ray, so these screenshots are taken directly from the 4K UHD disc and downscaled to 1080 and SDR. Color space in particular is therefore not accurate, and I recommend those interested to look at some of the screenshots in our MaXXXine Blu-ray review for a probably better representation of the palette. Since this release does not include a 1080 disc, the 2K video score above has been intentionally left blank.

MaXXXine is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of A24 an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.39:1. This is the sole release in this set which (as mentioned above) had a prior 4K UHD release courtesy of Lionsgate, and despite a different main menu and a couple of new supplements, I noticed no measurable differences in this presentation and Lionsgate's 4K presentation. Captured with both Red and Sony cameras and finished at 4K, this is a stylistic tour de force for West and cinematographer Eliot Rockett, but the intentional decision to recreate an almost 16mm-ish griminess and grain structure may not always redound to the benefit of the actual imagery. This 4K presentation sees some noticeable if subtle upticks in fine detail and especially in some shadow definition courtesy of Dolby Vision / HDR when compared to Lionsgate's 1080 presentation, but it's still often overlaid with yellowish digital grain. The effect is at least reasonably organic looking, but I personally preferred the somewhat less overt look of the grain in the 1080 version. Dolby Vision / HDR also aid in some of the rather evocative grading and/or lighting choices. Some of the kind of gorgeously menacing nighttime footage in particular has some really beautiful blue or at least blue-ish highlights, and there are a couple of notable vignettes, including a couple of scary showdowns bathed in red tones, that have additional luster in this 4K version.

MaXXXine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Somewhat like the fact that this had a prior 4K UHD release, that very earlier 4K UHD release also offered a Dolby Atmos track (even on the 1080 disc), unlike the two other films on 1080, which had DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks. As with the video side of things, I noticed no real difference between this Atmos presentation and the one on the Lionsgate 4K disc. The nicely boisterous Dolby Atmos track that captures the cacophony of mid eighties Los Angeles in several scenes where Maxine is scurrying through nighttime streets. Ambient environmental effects documenting the urban environment can be relatively subtle at times, and much more prevalent in the mix at others, but they help to create a kind of "background whirlwind" that helps to establish the emotionally unkempt world of the characters. Tyler Bates' often ominous sounding score is also well placed in the side and rear channels, and has some especially noticeable low end. A couple of startle effects in some of the violent kill scenes also help to unsettle the listener. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.

MaXXXine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Featurettes

The Belly of the Beast (HD; 9:39) is the first of several probably artificially divided featurettes that all offer some nice interviews with the principal cast and crew as well as quite a bit of candid footage. This is the one with Goth expressing surprise at the audience reaction to the first two films.




XXX Marks the Spot (HD; 11:21) focuses on the film's time frame and West's desire to capture that peculiar zeitgeist.




Hollywood is a Killer (HD; 8:14) looks at some of the special effects in various kill scenes.




Q & A with Director Ti West (HD; 25:23)




Deep Dive with Composer Tyler Bates (HD; 8:26) is new to this edition and offers some background on the score.

• Trailers

Teaser Trailer 2 (HD; 1:27)




Theatrical Trailer 1 (HD; 2:23)

• Filmmaker Commentary with Production Designer Jason Kisvarday and Set Decorator Kelsi Ephraim

Additionally 1080 Blu-ray and digital copies are included. Packaging features a slipcover.

MaXXXine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Despite an impressive recreation of a specific (if maybe more than slightly fictionalized) time and place, MaXXXine frankly just never quite connected for me and it's the least effective of the the trilogy in my estimation. I mention a few other niggling qualms in my original reviews, linked to above. Technical merits are solid, and both the new interview with Tyler Bates and the commentary are enjoyable. With caveats noted, Recommended.