Six years after surviving the events at the Texas farm house, Maxine Minx is now a famous adult film star. She is desperate to make it out, and into mainstream film.
Winning an audition to be in a new film, she is ecstatic. But the arrival of a mysterious stranger who is following her on behalf of his ’employer’, as well as the gruesome murders carried out by ‘The Night Stalker’ look to hamper her rise to fame.
Direction
Directed by Ti West, it is the finale (?) film in the trilogy in regards to the characters of Maxine and Pearl.
Similar to Pearl, this too has a great opening credits sequence, however this one resembles the era the film is set, which is 1985. The opening credits, and the score (by Tyler Bates) has a very era significant score to it.
Even some split screens during some of these non sequitur add to the whole feel and vibe to the film.
Cast/Characters
Mia Goth plays Maxine. Goth also co-produced the film.
Giancarlo Esposito plays her agent and friend Teddy Night.
Elizabeth Debicki plays Liz, the director of the movie Maxine has been hired to star in.
Bobby Cannavale and Michelle Monaghan play Detectives Torres and Williams, who are investigating the Night Stalker case.
Kevin Bacon plays John Labat, the PI hired to stalk Maxine, on behalf of a mysterious employer. Both are aware of her past.
Other cast members include, Lily Collins, Sophie Thatcher, Halsey, and Toby Huss.
Breakdown
As this is the “sequel” in the trilogy, it follows Maxine as she has become a famous adult film star in 1985.
Her opening audition, where she auditions for the horror film — is brilliantly shot, and at one point you believe she is really reliving the horrors from her past, but her 180 spin to ‘reality’ is almost hilarious to see how Maxine is able to act, but showcases Goth’s brilliant comedic and dramatic ability.
The entire film does indeed feel like it was made in the mid 1980s, from the cuts of the crowds, and the city streets, to the score, and even the darker colouring. West has once again shown talent behind the camera, and in the sets/clothes/hair etc.
There are too many complications that Maxine contends with throughout the film. There is the new job (going from adult film industry to mainstream), the “Night Stalker” serial killer, and of course John Labat.
Bacon is perfectly cast as Labat, and brings just the right amount of sleaze, as well as authority to the character who vows to show the world who Maxine was.
The revelation of his employer being ** spoiler ** Maxine’s God Fearing Preacher – whose “flock” want to perform an exorcism on Maxine as they have been mimicking the Night Stalker murders in order to get to her.
The actual night stalker case, which has been almost center-point at some parts of the film, is finalised with an off the cuff news brief – and I mean brief. It’s a blink and you’ll miss it mention that he gets caught!
I felt that these three story-points were too muddled, and not enough attention was either put in them to flesh them out fully, or were given the correct finalisation. The becoming a star is forgotten, the night stalker story ends abruptly, and the stalking case ends with a bizarre addition of her evangelist father.
Despite my downs here, there are some big ups, once again Goth who gets to show her drama chops, as Maxine has some moments of PTSD (during the mask forming scene which would cause anxiety in anyone!) and comedic ability. The graphic violence isn’t as prominent here as it was in either X or Pearl, aside from THAT scene in the alley (damn!). There is some fun dialogue at times too, with very clever banter, and one liners.
Overall
Because of the muddled narrative, and disappointing third act, I didn’t love this installment in the trilogy. It’s far from a fail, but also far from the spectacular first film.
Still a recommend, and Goth is simply fantastic as always.
3.5/5
Please also check out my Podcast on Youtube, where we review a new movie every week! Please subscribe!
Ryan's Movie Reviews 