MaXXXine: A Love Letter to the Los Angeles Movie
Mia Goth reprises her role as aspiring Hollywood star Maxine Minx in MaXXXine, an A24 release that takes us back to the sleazy 80s-style Hollywood. This film is a love letter to the Los Angeles movie, and filmmaker Ti West has checked off all the must-haves of an LA movie.
The iconic Hollywood Boulevard
Maxine Minx is living in a rundown apartment on Hollywood Boulevard, working around the clock in adult films and sex shops. But she’s got a massive break to star in a studio horror sequel. As ever, she’s maniacally focused on one thing: becoming a star. However, her past is haunting her, and a serial killer is at large, threatening to derail her big shot.
The iconic Hollywood Forever Cemetery
The film is chock-full of great ideas, homages to the likes of Brian De Palma and David Lynch, campy costuming and set design, and memorable supporting performances. Elizabeth Debicki shines as a serious English auteur making “B movies with A ideas” in the Hollywood system, while Halsey is terrifically delightful as a prototypical brassy “best friend” of 80s flicks.
The iconic Walk of Fame
What MaXXXine lacks is scares. Despite the gruesome murders, it feels more like a horror satire than something that will make you feel dread or terror. Perhaps that’s the point? Maxine has seen a lot by now and is hard to rattle; maybe that jadedness has transferred to the audience.
Mia Goth as Maxine Minx
Goth is compelling again as Maxine, especially in a killer audition scene. However, her character feels underwritten, and the supporting cast seems to have more opportunities to shine. The very silly climax also has the unintended consequence of diminishing a lot that came before it.
The iconic Chinese Theater
Despite its flaws, MaXXXine is still a fun enough time at the movies, best enjoyed with an excitable crowd. It’s a love letter to the Los Angeles movie, and for that, it’s worth watching.
