Ti West’s X-travaganza: Did “MaXXXine” End His Horror Trilogy on a High Note?

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Ti West’s X-Rated Trilogy: From Backwoods Slasher to Hollywood Horror

Ti West, the auteur behind the acclaimed horror flicks House of the Devil and The Innkeepers, has been on a genre-bending journey with his recent trilogy: X, Pearl, and Maxxxine. This interconnected franchise, born from a combination of creative vision and practical necessities, has taken audiences on a wild ride through the history of American horror.

From Practicality to Creative Vision: The trilogy’s origins lie in the pragmatic realm of film production. West’s initial pitch for X to A24 was for a stand-alone slasher film, but he harbored a bigger, trilogy-spanning vision. After constructing elaborate sets for X in New Zealand, West saw an opportunity to maximize his investment. "We had already spent all of this time and money building a Texas farm in New Zealand. How do we reuse it for free?" he mused, "How do we amortize all of those costs and make the movie less of a risk for A24?" This practical consideration led to the creation of Pearl, a prequel exploring the early life of the deranged elder X villain. West wrote the script for Pearl in a whirlwind two weeks while quarantined, kicking off the ambitious project.

Intertwined Narratives and Stylistic Contrast: The interconnected narratives of the three films share more than just a common location and a central character. Mia Goth, who stars in all three films, embodies the evolving personalities of Pearl and Maxine. In Pearl, she portrays the young, aspiring actress with a dark secret, while in X, she plays both the aged, murderous Pearl and the resilient survivor Maxine. Despite the common thread of these characters, the films offer a distinct stylistic contrast: Pearl embraces vibrant, almost whimsical technicolor, reminiscent of classic Hollywood musicals, while X is stark and gritty, harkening back to the aesthetic of early slasher films.

A Growing Scope: The success of X and Pearl allowed West to amplify the scale of Maxxxine, venturing into the bright lights of Hollywood. The farmhouse setting is replaced by a glitzy Los Angeles, and Maxine’s journey to become an actress is now intertwined with a menacing figure stalking the city. Maxxxine features a star-studded cast, including Elizabeth Debicki, Halsey, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon, further boosting its production value and audience anticipation.

The Trilogy’s Unique Naming Convention: West’s meticulous approach to world-building extends to the films’ unconventional naming scheme. Initially, he planned to name the sequels XX and XXX, but as the artistic direction evolved, he opted for a more nuanced approach. The decision to name the prequel Pearl was relatively straightforward, but the naming of Maxxxine was serendipitous. West remarked, "By some miracle, Maxine has an X in her name, so we could just add Xs. I don’t know what we would’ve called it if she didn’t have an X in her name."

Standalone Stories, Interconnected Experiences: While the films are part of a larger narrative, West emphasizes their capacity for individual enjoyment. He aimed to craft a trilogy where viewers could engage with each film independently: "I wanted to make a trilogy where you didn’t have to see the other movies. That alienates a huge portion of the audience who would never watch a movie like X, so they won’t see Maxxxine. Pearl is a great example of that: I didn’t want people to think they couldn’t see Pearl because the idea of X freaked them out too much."

Evolving Themes: West’s trilogy delves into the complexities of the human condition, exploring ambition, desire, and the allure of fame. X, set in the 1970s, presents a stark view of the exploitation and the dark underbelly of the nascent pornography industry. Pearl, taking place in the 1910s, delves into youthful longing, societal pressures, and the corrosive nature of unfulfilled desires. Maxxxine, set in the 1980s, dives into the heart of Hollywood itself, exposing the industry’s allure and its capacity for both dreams realized and shattered.

An Unending Appetite for Horror: With Maxxxine marking the end of his trilogy, West is already contemplating future projects. While he remains tight-lipped about potential sequels or spin-offs, he acknowledges the possibility of further exploring the world he has created. He shares his desire to take a break from the frenetic energy that has defined the last few years: "I’d like to try to get the snowball rolling on whatever I’m hoping to be next, and then take a little vacation before jumping into it."

Ti West’s X-rated trilogy is more than just a collection of horror films; it’s a testament to his creative vision, his willingness to experiment, and his unwavering passion for the genre. This ambitious endeavor has captivated audiences with its shocking twists, complex characters, and stylistic flair. As West contemplates the future of his franchise, one thing remains certain: his fascination with the dark side of humanity and the enduring power of horror is far from over.

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David Green
David Green
David Green is a cultural analyst and technology writer who explores the fusion of tech, science, art, and culture. With a background in anthropology and digital media, David brings a unique perspective to his writing, examining how technology shapes and is shaped by human creativity and society.