The first reactions to Ti West's “MaXXXine” have arrived.
The film, set to open on July 5, and produced by A24, had a surprise screening in Los Angeles. There was also a NYC press screening. I’ll only be watching the film on Tuesday morning.
In Los Angeles, fans who were seated for a screening of “Pearl” were surprised with an early showing of MaXXXine, and, as a bonus, a Q&A from Ti West and star Lily Collins.
I’ve only posted reactions from writers I recognize. They’re almost all positive, but I will say that, based on the people I’ve personally spoken to, reviews might be a little more mixed for “MaXXXine” than they were for the previous two films in West’s trilogy (“Pearl” and “X”).
Mia Goth is back for the sequel, which takes place in 1985, five years after “X.” Goth’s “heroine” moves to Hollywood to find the fame she’s been murderously craving. She gets a role in a cheapie horror sequel. Lily Collins is Maxine’s co-star. Elizabeth Debicki plays the director of the film. Giancarlo Esposito is Maxine’s shady agent.
L.A. is being terrorized by the “night stalker” who, for some reason, is eager to meet Maxine. Bobby Canavale and Michelle Monaghan are the detectives working the case. A scene-stealing Kevin Bacon is the corrupt private investigator hired by an anonymous person to find Maxine.
No surprise, Goth is earning high praise for her performance here. She was pretty sensational in “Pearl”, so much so that I highly doubt she could top her work in that one here. With that said, it sounds like “MaXXXine” is an homage to Argento and ‘80s slasher movies. I’m intrigued by Variety’s Courtney Howard namechecking De Palma as an influence as well.
