“Maxxxine”

7.9

Better than “Pearl,” but doesn’t quite recapture the magic of “X.” It’s still one hell of a horror trilogy by Ti West and another powerhouse performance by Mia Goth.

The atmosphere is electric, as the performances of the entire cast fire on all cylinders. There isn’t quite as much gore as the first 2 installments, but the impact and purposefulness of the violence gets tighter as the films have progressed to this grisly climax. Ms. Minx holds her own with the unsettling poise we’ve come to know and love.

With a soundtrack drenched in neon charm, we’re transported to what “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” would have looked like in the 80’s. There was a kinship between those two films that grew as the runtime unfurled. There’s an undeniable magic about Tinseltown. Even if it’s been haunted by some of the most notorious evil-doers in the nation’s history. Whether it be Manson in Tarantino’s love letter or the Night Stalker in this ode to a lost era. The use of the Universal lot, especially the “Psycho” house alongside the winking nod to the classic “Hitchcock Blonde”… *chef’s kiss. 2024 is shaping up to be a continuation of the modern horror renaissance and I am HERE FOR IT!