Lily Collins

MaXXXine (2024): Mia Goth and Ti West Deliver Those 1980s Vibes and Good Times in the Third Installment to the “X” Saga

Posted on by Jack Drees

“MaXXXine” is directed by Ti West, who also directed the previous installments of what is now known as the “X” trilogy. This film stars Mia Goth (Infinity Pool, Emma.), Elizabeth Debicki (Tenet, The Burnt Orange Heresy), Moses Sumney (The Idol), Michelle Monaghan (Gone Baby Gone, Eagle Eye), Bobby Cannavale (Ant-Man, Sing 2), Halsey (Sing 2, Americana), Lily Collins (Abduction, Priest), Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian, Abigail), and Kevin Bacon (Apollo 13, Footloose). This film follows adult film actor Maxine Minx. When she lands her big break by getting the lead role in a feature film, Maxine must deal with being targeted by a mysterious killer.

Before I give my thoughts on “MaXXXine,” I will give you a bit of a recap of my thoughts on “X” and “Pearl.” For the record, I have never reviewed those films. I missed them in the theater, so I skipped those reviews and watched the movies at home. I thought as a horror film, “X” definitely delivers the creeps. I also like the chemistry between the characters and I thought the climax was rather entertaining. That said, knowing some of the content in it, I would probably think twice before watching this movie with my parents. As for its sequel, “Pearl,” not only do I think it is a step up from the original, it is almost my favorite horror movie of 2022, and that was in a year containing a murderers’ row of good horror films. You had “Smile.” You had “Barbarian.” The only pure horror movie, if you prefer to call it one, I thought was better than all of these titles, was “The Menu.” No offense to “Pearl,” but one movie made me want a cheeseburger and the other did not. Mia Goth is a star as the lead role. The cinematography is gorgeous. The color palette at times is like something out of a Disney movie if you put it in the hands of an anarchist. The score is beautifully grand. And as much as I enjoyed the climax in “X,” the last moments of “Pearl” are borderline unforgettable. It has an incredible monologue scene, it is gory, and a final shot for the ages. Tonally, the film matches the motivations and dreams of its own character, and I was immersed with all of it.

So, I liked “X,” and I liked “Pearl.” This franchise is two for two so far, therefore that gave me confidence that “MaXXXine” could be another win. After all, the trailer sold me for its vibes. It took me back a few decades, promised plenty of action, and it looked like another solid performance from Mia Goth. This time around she is replaying the role she had in the first film, Maxine Minx. So I was curious to see what she would bring to the table now that she was clearly onto bigger things.

As for what was brought to the table, I would say I was quite pleased. While I think “Pearl” is still the best entry of the trilogy, “MaXXXine” is another worthy installment that delivers on gore, characterization, and plenty of style.

One thing I appreciate about “MaXXXine,” and therefore, the “X” trilogy in general, is its individual flair. Each movie so far has its own feel to it. But simultaneously, they all feel consistent. “MaXXXine” has the sleaziness of “X” if you mixed it with a detective thriller. It has that after dark vibe with a pinch of class. The feel fits the movie perfectly, especially considering the dark past of the protagonist, the creepy nature of the antagonist, and the actions that ensue throughout the runtime.

If you want me to be real, as much as I like “X,” part of me would think twice before watching it in the same room as my parents. As for this movie, I feel perhaps more comfortable if I put it on in front of say my dad. But I would probably stay away from my grandma. That said, if you like gore, this movie is not short on it. If you like a good story, this movie has it. And if you want a film that also manages to please on the technical side, look no further. Despite this movie’s dark tone, it has plenty of color. It is beautifully lit and gorgeously shot. Some of the costume choices stand out, especially for, and it is a bit ironic to say given her established profession, Maxine herself. The production design is also pretty neat. At times, the more I look at it, the more I think about it, part of me would not mind seeing this movie’s universe in video game form. Some of the night scenes in particular elicit a unique sense of immersion.

The performances in “MaXXXine” all around are great. Elizabeth Debicki is a standout as Elizabeth Bender, a director on a film Maxine’s working on. Kevin Bacon is also a highlight as John Labat, a private investigator who clearly knows a thing or two about being fashionable. But of course, this is Mia Goth’s movie, and much like this franchise’s protagonists aspire to be, she is a star. She kills this role with fire. When I think about my favorite actors working today, Mia Goth never comes to mind, and I feel ashamed to say that because I have seen her in several movies now, and even if I do not particularly enjoy a film in which she appears, such as “Infinity Pool,” Mia Goth herself still comes off as one of the better parts of the movie. And here, she commands each scene she is in. Goth is a powerhouse.

Admittedly, there are a couple scenes in this film that do not quite have the memorability that others deliver. But even in those scenes, I was still onboard. The film is nevertheless properly paced and a fun ride. There is one kill in this movie that may go down as my favorite of the year. It is definitely a favorite of the past couple years. The climax of this movie at times had me on the edge of my seat. This movie also has an ending that not only fits will within its narrative, but if the series were to stop here, it would be a swell conclusion. I would not mind seeing more from the “X” franchise, but if it were to end here, it ended on a fine note. Ti West once again, writes and directs another sensationally fun flick, getting the best out of Mia Goth, who continues to prove she is one of this generation’s more notable talents. I would not mind seeing more from these two, whether they are together or not. Props to both of them.

In the end, “MaXXXine” is not my favorite installment of the “X” franchise, but I think if I had to pick a movie to watch on a Friday night, I think “MaXXXine” would probably get the edge over the original “X.” I think it offers more entertainment value, slightly more preferable vibes, and perhaps a more memorable outing with Mia Goth in the lead role. It could be recency bias though, I have not seen “X” since 2022. But for what I recall, I think “X” has the edge story-wise. Not that “MaXXXine” has a bad story. If anything, I was mostly engaged with it, but of the three movies in this series so far, I think if I had to pick the weakest of the three stories, “MaXXXine” would probably come out on top. And I say that despite some of the places it takes us. One of the things I love about this movie is how it uses the Universal Studios Lot in Hollywood. Seeing Los Angeles in 1985 was pleasing to the eye. Speaking of pleasing to the eye, as a lover of neon, this film is not short on it. I do not know, maybe that is just a me thing. That said, “MaXXXine” is another solid effort from Ti West and Mia Goth. The “X” franchise continues to thrive, and I am going to give this movie a 7/10.

“MaXXXine” is now playing in theaters and is available to rent or buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! I have more reviews along the way including “Twisters,” “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Kinds of Kindness,” “Sing Sing,” and “Borderlands.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “MaXXXine?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite movie of the “X” trilogy? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Mank (2020): Yeah, Mank Almost Stank…

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Mank” is directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and stars Gary Oldman (The Darkest Hour, The Dark Knight), Amanda Seyfried (Ted 2, First Reformed), Lily Collins (Mirror Mirror, Abduction), Arliss Howard (Medium, True Blood), Tom Pelphrey (Guiding Light, Iron Fist), Sam Troughton (Alien vs. Predator, Chernobyl), Ferdinand Kingsley (Victoria, Dracula Untold), Tuppence Middleton (Jupiter Ascending, Sense8), Tom Burke (Only God Forgives, The Musketeers), Joseph Cross (Running with Scissors, Big Little Lies), Jamie McShane (Sons of Anarchy, Bloodline), Tony Leonard Moore (Daredevil, Billions), Monika Gossman (Maximum Impact, Iron Sky), and Charles Dance (Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Game of Thrones). Holy CRAP that’s a lot of people! This film takes place in 1930s Hollywood as we see a manipulative and striking piece of history play out all the while screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz tries to finish the screenplay for “Citizen Kane.”

David Fincher - IMDb

I’m gonna let you guys in on a little truth I need to spit out. I have not seen any of David Fincher’s films. Not “Fight Club,” not “Gone Girl,” not even “Alien 3.” Therefore, “Mank” is officially taking my David Fincher virginity. I have seen a lot of the work from heavy hitters over the years. Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielberg, and Guillermo Del Toro. David Fincher for whatever reason was just one of those names I continued to avoid. So, what are my thoughts on my first encounter with David Fincher’s work?

If you want the truth, “Mank” is marvelous to the naked eye. Granted, this is a less than traditional looking film for the modern age. It’s presented in black and white, there are several scenes that are presented back and forth in time, and to establish such time frames, the film gives you a screenplay perspective where it tells you whether the scene takes place inside or outside, where specifically the scene is located, and when. I think that is a nice quirk that I have not seen in any other film. The cinematography is breathtaking and if it were not for “Tenet,” it could arguably be top dog for the year. The film has this throwback feel and there’s some echo-like sounds you can hear from one moment to the next. Fincher directs the crap out of this thing and each scene feels like it could only be put together by a true craftsman. There are a diverse amount of appealing sets that enlightened me as a viewer and allowed me to keep my eyes on the screen.

If only the story were significantly more interesting. Because “Mank” is forgettable, kind of a blur at this point, and certainly… BORING!

Now, let me just say, I like the concept of this movie. For starters, I am a lover of film history, which “Mank” centers around. And there have been examples of movies about film history that have been done well. A few recent examples include Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” which dives into the production of “Mary Poppins,” and A24’s “The Disaster Artist,” which goes over the production and release of Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room,” one of the most hilariously awful movies to ever exist. In the case of “Mank,” part of what this film is about is the making of “Citizen Kane,” which many consider to be the most important film ever made. Although unlike those previous two examples, which go over the production of the film, this film centers a lot around pre-production and little bit more. There is so much to tackle and analyze in a couple of hours.

If 2020 has taught us anything just with the release of HBO Max’s “Superintelligence,” created by husband and wife team Ben Falcone and Melissa McCarthy, it’s that family projects do not always work. “Mank” is directed by David Fincher and written by his father, Jack Fincher, who passed away in 2003. Said father wrote the script in the 1990s but it never came into fruition until today. As happy as I am to see a family dream fulfilled, my time was nevertheless wasted.

Much of this film involves an election, which sort of makes today the perfect time to release this film considering how we just had a presidential election in the United States. I will say that such a part of film intrigued me, and that is somewhat surprising because as a film buff, that is not really what I was going into “Mank” to see. Even so, it delves into the concept of fake news, which is a relevant term nowadays, and if you think Hollywood is political today, as some people claim it to be, this movie paints a picture of Hollywood perhaps slightly manipulating the minds of people to have an election go their way. I just wish the impact of this subject matter, along with the rest of the movie hit me a tad more. I did not really feel anything except for my reclined seat throughout the film.

Although, some of the performances in “Mank” makes the feature worth the watch. For example, Arliss Howard does a fantastic job playing Louis B. Mayer, and I would not mind seeing him receive a Best Supporting Actor nomination in the future for the role. Although my favorite performance in “Mank” is from Amanda Seyfried. Prior to watching “Mank,” I liked Amanda Seyfried. That’s the case even in movies that I did not necessarily enjoy like “You Should Have Left.” Regardless of how much I wanted that movie to end as I watched it, I still think Seyfried gives it her all each time she performs. When it comes to her performance in “Mank,” this is easily her best yet. Part of it may have to do with the efforts from the costuming and makeup department, because whenever I am looking at her character, I do not feel like I am looking at Seyfried herself. On that note, she, along with “Mank” itself, does an alright job at providing a sense of immersion. I wish I left this film with a sense of being able to remember everything within a few days, but still.

And of course, you have Gary Oldman, who gives another great performance here. Oldman is a fine actor, although he is not my favorite of all time. Even so, I respect the man because he traditionally commits to his craft. While I would not consider his performance as Mankiewicz to be his best, Oldman does a great job in “Mank,” he has solid chemistry with Lily Collins during scenes they’re in together, and I do think he will be in a number of conversations during the awards season.

There are many films like “Dunkirk,” “Blade Runner,” and “Tenet” that I have been willing to give more than one watch because for all I know maybe I missed something the first time, or maybe my appreciation for those films could grow with each watch. I do not think “Mank,” as attractive as it is to the pupil, will end up being one of those films. It feels like a one and done deal. That’s really sad because I feel like this is the film, more than any other, that Netflix is going to hype up for the awards season. And it is deserving of nominations in a number of regards. Unfortunately, story and characterization might not be one of them, at least for me.

In the end, “Mank” almost stank. It was halfway decent, but could not quite stick the landing. If you want my recommendation, I will say as someone who has watched “Citizen Kane,” I think that it would be a better idea to watch that film, which “Mank” sort of bases its story around, instead of David Fincher’s latest directorial effort. I hope to maybe watch some of Fincher’s other films in the future when I have the motivation, but I do not know if I will have the motivation to watch “Mank” anytime soon. I’m going to give “Mank” a 5/10.

“Mank” is now playing in select theaters and is available on Netflix for all subscribers.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for another Netflix original film, “The Midnight Sky,” directed by George Clooney. Before I saw this film, I was pretty excited to watch it as I am a sucker for space movies. As for my final thoughts, you’ll have to wait on those. Stay tuned! Speaking of staying tuned, if you want to stay tuned for more great content, follow Scene Before either with an email or a WordPress account! Also, check out my Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Mank?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite David Fincher movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!