I Finally Saw MaXXXine And Thought The Finale Was Missing Something I Loved About The First Two Movies

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I Finally Saw MaXXXine And Thought The Finale Was Missing Something I Loved About The First Two Movies

As a seasoned horror enthusiast who’s witnessed more slashers than I can count on my fingers (and toes!), I must say that Ti West’s X trilogy has been a rollercoaster ride of chills and thrills. The campy humor and dark comedy in the first two installments, X and Pearl, had me at the edge of my seat, screaming with laughter one moment and clutching my pillow in terror the next.

Right now, horror enthusiasts are in for a treat as the genre has been undergoing an exhilarating revival over the past few years. Top-notch horror films have emerged from studios during this period, including both sequels and fresh ideas. Ti West’s X trilogy falls into the latter category, with the third installment, MaXXXine, being one of the most eagerly awaited upcoming horror films before its premiere. After watching MaXXXine myself, I felt that the ending lacked a key element I appreciated in the first two movies.

As a dedicated fan, I must admit that while MaXXXine‘s climax delivered a long-awaited showdown with her televangelist father, a character subtly woven into the series’ plotline, it seemed to lack one essential ingredient of the franchise: the campy flair and humor that has always made it so endearing.

A significant factor contributing to the popularity of both X and Pearl (now available on Netflix) is that director Ti West skillfully blended dark comedy and camp into the slasher genre. Notably, Pearl fully embraced this style, giving rise to numerous memes featuring Mia Goth’s character since its debut. However, some viewers felt that the third act of MaXXXine strayed from this engaging narrative approach.

In West’s third installment, there were humorous elements scattered throughout, such as Maxine’s quick temper and the dramatic car crash death scene. However, the ending took a more straightforward approach. Maxine successfully avenged her father’s death and ascended in Hollywood stardom, fulfilling their dreams from the first two films. The conclusion was well-tied up, but I missed the frequent witty humor that the series is known for.

I Finally Saw MaXXXine And Thought The Finale Was Missing Something I Loved About The First Two Movies

In a similar vein, X ventured into camp, with instances such as Brittany Snow’s demise at the jaws of an alligator and suggestive scenes, contributing to this. However, Pearl took dark comedy to another level, with its titular character’s delusion and propensity for violence creating a wildly entertaining film experience. The ending of Pearl stands out for its uniqueness, as Mia Goth’s character offers a painful smile towards the camera as the credits roll. Given that its predecessor became a popular topic for memes over the years, I anticipated MaXXXine to offer more comical/humorous moments.

It’s important to note that my opinion remains unchanged: I believe the X trilogy was a hit, and I thoroughly enjoyed it as an avid horror enthusiast. However, some fans are speculating whether director Ti West will extend the series, but there appears to be no indication of this happening at the moment. Given his past collaborations with Goth on three successful slashers, it’s understandable why he might want a break.

MAXXXine can currently be rented or bought digitally, whereas Pearl is available for streaming on Netflix at this time. In the meantime, take a look at the 2025 movie release schedules to mark your calendars for upcoming theater visits next year.

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2024-08-22 21:07