Maxxxine Review
On one hand this is far from an emotionally satisfying horror film unless you come in knowing two things. One this is a direct sequel to West's X (which I did not see for personal reasons yet saw Pearl instead, so it might just be an opinion). Two being that it was the 80s: let's just say cocaine was a substitute for anything, including PTSD medication. Then of course the quote by Bette Davis does sort of make one thing clear: Mia Goth is a more evolved version of 2022's Pearl, for as much better as worse. So now that we got the subjective out of the way I can say this was a pretty unique horror movie in the way it lives up to the genre. On one hand Goth isn't quite as inspired here as she is in Pearl, but she doesn't necesarily need to be. The movie makes clear that it's very much a noir inspired period piece, meaning that all the characters have debatable scruples all throughout. Plus the way it mixes that Satanic Panic meets The Wicker Man vibe by the end did sort of level it out here and there, despite going full action movie by the end. Plus, if nothing else, it's not every day you get to see Goth, Debicki, Halsey, Collins, Bacon and even Larry Fessenden, of all people, in the same movie. For every scene that feels out of place there's another which immerses you further into the 80s, as far as reminding you that it was as dull as any other decade despite us remembering only our favorite bits. So I don't think I'm being disrespectful by sayibg this is certainly not as good as Pearl (in my opinion). But as long as you go in with an open mind, even for a horror movie fan, you'll find plenty to enjoy. Maxxxine was as smart and creative as the decade it takes place in.
Though I personally would've gone with a different song than the one The Final Girls already used, even if it did match the opening quote.