July 11, 2024 – I'm not a fan of horror films, so I had not watched the previous movies in the “X” series. After watching “MaXXXine” however, it looks like I am going to have to go back and watch the previous movies in this series, because this one was fun to watch.

While most horror and slasher films are somewhat misogynistic, this one features empowered women characters, especially, Maxine Minx herself (played by Mia Goth, reprising her role) along with an equally ruthless film director, Elizabeth Bender (played by Elizabeth Debicki of “Tenet”) and a tough policewoman, played by Michelle Monaghan of “Mission: Impossible - Fallout” (who sustains a crucifix injury in a truly over-the-top scene).

While there is some gore in this film, as one expects from a slasher film, it is not overly grotesque, and the tone of the film is just silly enough to take the edge off the violence. One might say this is a horror film that doesn't take itself too seriously. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have a message about the morality police among us and Christian Nationalism. It isn't exactly a celebration of violence and pornography, but it does portray people in the industry as no worse that those who claim to be Christian, but are not, really.

The story has to do with Maxine Minx, a woman with a mysterious past, and serious acting talent, trying to make it in mainstream Hollywood movies after making a name for herself in porn films.

She finally lands a plumb role in a horror film directed by Elizabeth Bender, but this job is in jeopardy because she is being hounded by John Labat (Kevin Bacon) a private detective hired by a mysterious man who may be involved in a current string of serial murders.

Maxine and Elizabeth are two of a kind. Elizabeth tells Maxine to handle the situation, or she will be replaced in the film. Maxine is determined to eliminate the threat with the aid of her equally ruthless agent, Teddy Night (Giancarlo Esposito of “Abigail”).

The tangled story of Maxine's mysterious enemy, a series of brutal murders, the police investigation into Maxine and the murders, is quite complicated, and is never fully explained. But the messiness of the plot is unimportant to movie itself. That is not the point.

The point is to have fun, and to have a satisfying ending without the need to tie up all the loose ends. This film accomplishes all that in a very satisfying way. This is a slasher film that has got the goods, including a big shootout. Writer-director Ti West is clearly in his comfort zone here as a Hollywood writer and director making a movie about Hollywood directors and actors. Well, they say write about what you know. This movie rates a B.

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