SPOILER WARNING: The following contains many crucial plot details from recent horror movies X and Pearl. If you have not seen either, think of this article as an X-rated film that you should proceed to view with caution.
Horror fans were already praising writer and director Ti West in 2022 for resurrecting a beloved era of the slasher sub-genre with his dark, dirty, 1979-set hit, X, before they were immediately treated with a peek at a prequel inspired by cinema’s more primitive age called Pearl in a post-credits teaser. Now, it appears that the indie horror hero is tackling another monumental time in Hollywood’s storied history with the final installment of this new trilogy called MaXXXine.
Already one of the most anticipated upcoming horror movies, there is still very little that we really know regarding the plot of this X sequel, which is currently in pre-production. However, what we do know has us excited to the maxxx. The following is a guide to all the most essential and confirmed facts about the upcoming A24 movie, MaXXXine.
WHAT IS THE MAXXXINE RELEASE DATE?
MaXXXine is set to come out on July 5, 2024. According to Horror Fuel, the film completed principal photography in late May 2023 – just a little more than a month after the cameras started rolling. It’s almost scary how quickly the project was able to wrap, but it’s pleasing to see it secure a spot on the 2024 movies schedule.
THE MAXXXINE TRAILER TEASES THE FRANCHISE’S FORAY INTO MYSTERY THRILLER TERRITORY
While X was a straight-up slasher and Pearl was more of a character-driven psychological thriller, the first official trailer for MaXXXine suggests that Ti West is introducing a deeper, giallo-style aura of mystery with the threequel. We also catch a glimpse of the title character’s stronger sense of confidence (even with the infamous Night Stalker roaming the streets of Hollywood) amid dazzling (and disturbing) shots of ’80s-era Tinseltown. Take a look at the suspenseful, star-studded teaser for yourself below:
The new clip is a far more revealing trailer than the very first teaser for MaXXXine, which was released immediately after the premiere of Pearl at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. Bearing an authentic-looking, VHS-style graininess and featuring Animotion’s synth-drenched 1985 hit, “Obsession,” it initially appears to show an overhead shot of Los Angeles’ unmistakable Mount Lee, where the Hollywood sign stands. However, the camera hovers over the hill and continues to pan out, revealing the text “MAXXXINE” in the iconic letters’ place.
MIA GOTH REPRISES THE TITLE ROLE OF MAXXXINE
Considering how Maxine was the only surviving central character from the X cast, it should come as no surprise that none of Mia Goth’s co-stars from the 2022 slasher are returning for the new follow-up. However, the newcomers to the franchise joining her, as revealed in a video posted to X by A24, are, undeniably, a source of excitement.