The big releases this week are “Despicable Me 4” and Ti West’s “MaXXXine.” Let’s focus on the latter, which is the third film of the trilogy, starring Mia Goth.
I found ‘MaXXXine’ to be a decent, but unexceptional entry in West’s franchise. My main problem with this ‘80s slasher-inspired film is in the way that West tries to tie things up in the final 20 minutes, which includes a final twist that could be seen a mile away.
As was the case with the other two films, Mia Goth is the main reason to watch “MaXXXine,” but her best performance is still the one she gave in 2022’s “Pearl”. Regardless, it’s great to see Goth breaking out thanks to West’s films. Goth is now a much-sought actress in the industry and will next be seen in Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein.”
With that said, “MaXXXine” is headed towards a $9M weekend, which would make it a franchise best. I gather many of our readers will see or have seen the film — what did you make of it? Do you agree that it’s the weakest of West’s three films?
Paul Schrader chimed in with his own two cents on the film. He was left scratching his head as to why such a talented filmmaker as West would keep making films in a genre that’s beneath his talents:
West has made a career out of deconstructing the horror genre with such films as “Pearl,” “The House of the Devil,” “The Innkeepers,” and “The Sacrament.” “MaXXXine” is definitely in his wheelhouse.
However, West’s best film is still 2016’s underrated “In A Valley of Violence” — a grisly homage to classic westerns, filled with absurdist humor, starring John Travolta and Ethan Hawke. It was a smartly conceived film that also happens to be West’s most restrained and subtle work to date.
I actually find that number optimistic. Tickets for “Digger” go on sale next Tuesday, and presales will give us a better picture of how bad it’s looking.