Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

MaXXXine Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 8, 2024

Mia Goth is on hand in some supplemental interviews on this disc stating how surprised she was when people actually went to see X and Pearl, stating she had shot the films in Australia, thought of them as "little" movies, and more or less expected their quick expiration at the box office. Well, as anyone who has seen either or both of those preceding sagas can attest, while there is plenty of "expiring" going on in each of those films, audience attendance was evidently not a problem, and so here we are, with the latest (one suspects not last) installment of the twisted story of one Maxine Minx (Mia Goth). I mentioned in our Pearl Blu-ray review how that film's "twofer" performance by Goth hinted at a revelation that was frankly never delivered, but one way or the other, even without alternate characters and loads of makeup, this trilogy has offered a real showcase for the diminutive actress, and she once again commands the screen in a narrative that attempts to weave Minx's supposed foray into "mainstream" film work (after a lot of "adult" roles) within the context of the so-called Night Stalker serial murders that terrorized Los Angeles and environs in the mid eighties.

If that "confession" on the part of Goth may come as at least a bit of a surprise, it may point out the fact that due to the kind of haphazard way the trilogy was created (almost spontaneously, on the spot), there have been both inconsistencies scattered throughout the three stories, as well as some really ultimately kind of amazing tethers that have been created. That second, more positive, element is evident in not just certain story conceits (a revelation about Maxine's past in a previous outing turns out to help "solve" the mystery in this film), but also more subliminal stylistic choices on the part of West, including more cheeky uses of Academy ratio for a film within a film but also in this case aping the opening "aspect ratio misdirection" of X with a similar gambit of shooting through a door, which temporarily provides a narrower frame.

The narrative continues to follow Maxine as she attempts to matriculate into a more "traditional" show business career, though her past "shenanigans" soon catch up to her in the form of an obnoxiously smarmy private investigator named John Labat (Kevin Bacon). Labat isn't the only threat, however, as some near giallo-esque vignettes involving a cloaked and gloved attacker make clear. What that has to do with Maxine is the key to it all, in a plot conceit that is probably purposefully hyperbolic to the point of absolute pretense, which may in fact be the point of it all, considering some of the presentational choices West has made throughout all three installments of this story. As if those weren't enough "problems" for Maxine to confront, there are two police types (Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale) also on the hunt.

That above referenced lack of a "big reveal" vis a vis Maxine and Pearl in X and then later in Pearl might be one of the more peculiar deficits of this apparently still nascent would be franchise. "Pearl" is on hand again here in her wizened old woman form in what appears to be quick flashback or virtual "haunting" material, but those desiring anything other than another (this time quite brief) showcase for Goth's talents are probably going to be disappointed. Instead, the film coasts on some enjoyable if intentionally sleazy work by not just Goth, but a hilariously malevolent Bacon, himself the benefeciary of makeup and prosthetics, though not to the degree Goth is as Pearl.

The "mystery" behind the whole Night Stalker subplot is ultimately kind of ridiculous, and will probably be at least somewhat predictable to that other mystery about Maxine's background that is divulged in X, a revelation which at the time struck me as "needless" (as my review overtly stated), but which has at least been fashioned here into part of the story, however absurd its presentation here may ultimately be. None of these three films probably develop whatever theme they're trying to espouse clearly enough, though in that regard MaXXXine may come the closest in its depiction of a character hell bent on fame and fortune, scraping and clawing her way through the muck of a mid eighties Los Angeles.

MaXXXine Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

MaXXXine is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of A24 and Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. 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, though that said, I personally preferred the quasi-"organic" appearance of this 1080 presentation to the simultaneously released 4K UHD version, in terms of the look of the grain. Otherwise, this offers a suitably gritty look virtually the entire way, with surprisingly fulsome detail levels throughout despite a prevalence of intentionally dimly lit or downright nighttime shooting conditions. The palette isn't especially boldly suffused (again by choice I'm assuming), and often has a somewhat yellowish undertone. Certain scenes, including some of those aforementioned spooky nighttime scenes, have some really interesting blue tones, and there are a couple of showdowns bathed in red which pop quite convincingly. Shadow detail is surprisingly strong a lot of the time, but that's one area where the 4K UHD release probably at least marginally improves on things.

MaXXXine Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

MaXXXine features a 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 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• 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)


• Teaser Trailer (HD; 1:07)


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:27)

Lionsgate sent its 4K UHD release for purposes of this 1080 review, but it looks like this standalone 1080 release comes with DVD and digital copies, with packaging that features a slipcover.

MaXXXine Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

X, Pearl and now MaXXXine make for one of the more interesting trilogies in recent film history, but I'm frankly not sure this really is a trilogy in the traditional sense, and for just one example I'll return to that fundamental question: what do Pearl and Maxine have to do with each other, other than providing Goth an admirable opportunity to strut her performance bona fides? This is an interesting, often viscerally entertaining, film, but its "meaning" may be as evanescent as, you know, fame and fortune. Technical merits are first rate and the supplements very enjoyable, though those with 4K UHD setups may want to consider that version. With caveats duly noted, Recommended.