The journey of Maxxxine completes Ti West’s X trilogy, an exploration of survival, ambition, and identity set against the backdrop of a brutal slasher narrative. Following X and Pearl, Maxxxine takes us to the heart of 1980s Los Angeles, where the neon glow of Hollywood’s glamor conceals a darker truth.
Maxine, played by Mia Goth, has escaped death once—but the trauma of her past and the relentless pursuit of stardom brings new horrors. In the final chapter, Maxine faces her greatest battle yet.
In this post, we’ll be delving into the visual storytelling, heart-pounding soundscape, and power of fragrance found during key scenes of this film.
Hollywood Dreams and Trauma
Maxine is now chasing her dream of becoming a star, navigating the seedy underbelly of 1980s Los Angeles. She is relentlessly seeking fame in a cutthroat industry, much like the porn industry she escaped from in X. The city of LA is a glittering promise of fame, but for Maxine, it’s a reminder that nothing comes without a price. The trauma from X continues to haunt her, casting a long shadow over her ambition.
Visuals: The neon-drenched streets of LA shine brightly, contrasting with the darkness in Maxine’s soul. We see the artificial beauty of Hollywood—the bright lights, movie sets, and glamorous parties—juxtaposed with the claustrophobic alleys, where danger lurks in every corner. Flashbacks from X invade her present, blending the horrors of her past with her current pursuit of fame.
Sounds: The hum of traffic, the click of film cameras, and the hypnotic, synth-heavy beats of the 1980s soundtrack envelop the scenes. Yet beneath this vibrant soundscape, there’s an eerie silence that creeps in, reminding us that Maxine's past isn't far behind. Every subtle shift in sound is a reminder of the quiet before the inevitable storm.
Fragrance: Neon Nights, Hairspray, and the Lingering Past
The scent of Hollywood’s nightlife is intoxicating—thick clouds of cigarette smoke, the chemical sharpness of hairspray holding voluminous hairstyles in place, and the heavy perfume that clings to the air like desperation. This is the smell of ambition, a concoction of glamor and decay. Underneath it all, there’s a faint scent of sweat and exhaustion, revealing the facade of the dream.
Maxine’s world smells like a heady blend of opportunity and danger. The perfume is overpowering, a symbol of artificiality, and the cigarette smoke clings to her clothes, the reminder of the many vices that have entangled her. The scent of old leather from the cracked seats of grimy clubs and the sourness of spilled drinks mix with the clean, metallic air of the film sets she frequents. It’s a city that’s perfumed with ambition, but the acrid undertone of sweat reminds you that beneath the glamor, everything is unraveling.
The Rise and Fall of Maxine
As Maxine continues her rise through the entertainment world, we see her caught between the glittering promise of fame and the shadow of her past. Her rise to stardom is tainted by reminders of her trauma from X and her family, leading to a deeper internal conflict.
Visuals: We see a stark contrast in visuals—the blinding lights of Hollywood film sets, the gaudy parties, and Maxine’s carefully curated appearance. But behind closed doors, in dimly lit rooms, her vulnerability creeps in. Flashbacks from X serve as visual disruptions, fragments of horror infiltrating her glamorous new world. She’s constantly pulled between two realities—her pursuit of fame and the memories she cannot escape.
Sounds: The upbeat music of the 80s fades into tense, dissonant scores when Maxine is alone, enhancing the suspense.
Fragrance: Perfumed Glamor and Hidden Decay
The overwhelming sweetness of perfume fills the room during parties, but it’s sickly sweet—too much, almost nauseating, like the artificial glamor of Hollywood. Beneath that lies the smell of expensive leather and velvet from film set chairs, polished to perfection, yet masking the scent of dust and must in the corners where dreams go to die.
The faint scent of old film reels lingers in the background, an almost metallic scent mixed with the sharp smell of acetone from makeup. It’s a world where everything is designed to dazzle, but if you breathe deeply, you catch the bitter tang of something rotten—fame comes at a price, and the fragrance of success is tainted by the underlying stench of desperation and failure.
Confrontation with Her Father
The film reaches its emotional peak when Maxine faces her father, the source of her trauma. This moment is not just about physical confrontation—it’s the culmination of years of emotional baggage that Maxine must confront to finally break free from her past.
Visuals: The setting shifts to a dark, abandoned building—a sharp departure from the bright lights of Hollywood. Shadows loom large, and the space feels confining, as if Maxine’s past is closing in on her. Her father, the embodiment of the past she’s been running from, stands before her, ready to bring her down. The contrast between Maxine’s carefully groomed Hollywood image and the grime of her father’s world is stark.
Sounds: The haunting score reaches its crescendo here, building tension with every passing second. Maxine’s breathing is shallow, her voice shaky, while her father’s deep, gravelly tone reverberates through the room. “I will not accept a life I do not deserve”—rings out, a declaration of Maxine’s refusal to be defined by her past.
Fragrance: Stale Air, Cigarettes, and Emotional Weight
The air is thick with dust, the scent of decay hanging in the atmosphere like a shroud. The musty smell of old, crumbling wood dominates the room, adding to the feeling of suffocation. The bitter scent of cigarettes lingers on Maxine’s father, a toxicity that has pervaded her life.
This scene is drenched in the smell of history—the kind of stale air that hasn’t been touched in years, like the weight of unresolved trauma. It’s a smell that sticks to your clothes, a reminder that no matter how far you run, some things are impossible to escape. The scent of old books and cigarette smoke from her father lingers as if her entire past has settled around her, suffocating her.
The Final Fight
The ultimate showdown between Maxine and her father is brutal, emotional, and cathartic. It’s not just a physical fight—it’s a battle for her very identity. Maxine has been running from her past, and now, with no way out, she has to face it head-on.
Visuals: The fight is visceral, filled with close-ups and sharp cuts, highlighting the raw emotion behind each blow. Maxine’s Hollywood facade begins to crack between her desperation and rage. Every punch, every scream, every tear is magnified, making this battle feel deeply personal.
Sounds: The sound of fists connecting with flesh, the heavy breathing of exhaustion, and the crashing of objects fill the air. Maxine’s grunts of effort are mirrored by the sharp sound of her father’s retaliation. As she lands the final blow, there’s a haunting silence, broken only by the distant chords of the film’s score.
Fragrance: Sweat, Blood, and Desperation
The metallic scent of blood fills the room, sharp and unmistakable. Mixed with it is the sour smell of sweat as both Maxine and her father fight with everything they have. The air feels thick, the smell of fear palpable, clinging to Maxine as she fights for her life.
This is the scent of survival. Blood, sweat, and tears—literally. The faint odor of iron from the blood mixes with the smell of adrenaline, a harsh, biting scent that shows the primal nature of this battle. This is the rawest moment in the film, and these fragrances reflect the brutality and vulnerability of the scene.
Aftermath
Maxine stands victorious, but the cost is heavy. Her journey has been filled with trauma, and though she has won, the question remains: at what price? The aftermath is filled with a haunting quiet, as Maxine reflects on what she’s done and where she’s going.
Visuals: Maxine, bloodied and exhausted, stands over her father’s body. The bright lights of Hollywood can be seen in the distance, but they now seem far away, almost unreachable.
Sounds: The eerie quiet is broken only by the faint hum of the city in the background. Maxine’s breathing slows, and the distant sound of sirens reminds the audience that life goes on, even after horror.
Fragrance: The Lingering Smell of Blood and Victory
The aftermath smells of blood—thick, metallic, and ever-present. But beneath that is the faint scent of the city beyond, the distant smell of gasoline and the cold, clean scent of the night air. It’s a reminder that, though Maxine has fought and survived, her journey is far from over. This scent is one of bittersweet victory. The smell of violence lingers, but there’s a hint of something cleaner on the horizon.
Maxine, though scarred, may finally have a chance at the life she’s been fighting for.
Final Thoughts
Maxxxine brings the X trilogy to a haunting and brutal close, masterfully capturing themes of ambition, survival, and identity. Maxine’s famous line, “I will not accept a life I do not deserve,” echoes throughout the film as she battles both physically and emotionally to reclaim control of her fate.
This horror film immerses the audience in Maxine’s relentless pursuit of fame and the horrifying cost of achieving her dreams. It’s the story of a woman determined to shape her destiny, no matter the horrors she must face to get there.
