Summary
Stephen King offers high praise forMaXXXine, A24’s upcoming slasher film. Written and directed by Ti West, this horror movie serves as the third installment in West’s thrillingXfilm series, which began with the release ofXin 2022. Following the great reception toX, a prequel titledPearlquickly followed just months after its predecessor’s release, and nowMaXXXine— which brings backs Mia Goth, the series’ lead, and adds other new names like Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan — is set to serve as a direct sequel toX.
Now, shortly before therelease ofMaXXXine,famous authorStephen Kingprovides a positive review of the A24 film on his official X account. Check out his post below:
The 76-year-old was succinct in his praise of the horror movie, simply calling it “terrific.”
What Are Others Saying About MaXXXine?
And how does it compare to the rest of the X trilogy?
Since the inception of theXfilm seriesin 2022, the two released installments have both been well received by critics and fans.Xreceived praise for its fresh take on the classic slasher formula and also for how well it kept its audience entertained, whilePearl, the prequel which was released only 6 months later, also received a similar reception, with Goth’s performance a notable standout. Therefore, it comes as no surprise thatKing isn’t the only one offering high praise for the third installmentMaXXXine.
MaXXXine Review: Mia Goth Cements Her Stardom In Nearly Perfect Conclusion To A24’s Slasher Trilogy
There are complicated layers that Goth needs to bring to the surface, and she delivers a layered character who is equal parts victim and survivor.
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes,MaXXXineholds an approval rating of 77%, with the website’s consensus on the movie reading, “Intoxicating with its maxxximal style, MaXXXine is an uneven but vibrant pastiche that drives a stiletto through Hollywood’s heart.” Even though its approval rating isn’t as high as that of its predecessors, which both boast over 90%,MaXXXine’s early rating is still very respectable.
MaXXXinewas initially set to conclude theXfilm series, but earlier in the year, West stated that he had plans for a fourth installment, but its release is dependent on the reception ofMaXXXine.
Aside from the stellar performances, another major notable thing aboutMaXXXineis that it can be enjoyed as a standalone movie, and audiences don’t necessarily have to have seen the previous installments to be able to follow the movie.MaXXXineis set for release on July 5,and thus, fans of West’s ongoing horror series will soon be able to enjoy and assess the latest installment for themselves.
Breaking Down Stephen King’s Other Recent Recommendations
King’s MaXXXine review fits in with his appreciation for horror
As the author of iconic stories such asITandThe Shining, King is especially well-known when it comes to horror. Many consider him to be a master of the genre, and because of that,his endorsement of a project can be especially helpful in drawing in viewers. King’sMaXXXinereview, as simple as it is, will no doubt pique the interest of those who might not be caught up on the rest of theXseries, but will be swayed by the writer deeming it “terrific.”
10 Great Horror Movies Recommended By Stephen King
Horror writer and fan Stephen King often takes to social media to share his favorite classic and modern genre films, and he has some great picks.
King has built a reputation for himself by posting his thoughts on several movies and shows. While he often keeps his reviews short and sweet, they garner an impressive amount of engagement online, indicating people take his opinions seriously. In recent weeks,he’s spoken highly aboutA Quiet Place: Day Oneand Netflix’s surprise shark hitUnder Paris. Additionally, proving his interests go beyond horror, King shared a positive note about Japanese sensationGodzilla Minus Onewhen it first arrived on Netflix.
King has also proven himself to be outspoken about all kinds of topics within Hollywood, including the current debate overKevin Costner’s pricey passion projectHorizon: An American Saga. The Western debuted at the end of June to mixed reviews and an underwhelming box office gross, and the reception has sparked think pieces and debates over why viewers didn’t turn out.King spoke out in defense of Costner and his movie, and in the process, took a shot at the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In part, King wrote,“Why in God’s name would anyone luxuriate in the failure of a film that isn’t a sequel or part of the, God save us, ‘Marvel universe?'”
Will King’s MaXXXine Review Aid It At The Box Office?
MaXXXine is projected for a franchise best opening
Though West’sXmovies are critical darlings, they’ve never been the biggest box office performers. This is far from a knock against the franchise; as A24 releases, they aren’t quite mainstream draws.MaXXXinewill release over the Fourth of July weekend opposite the splashy new releaseDespicable Me 4, which got its start on Wednesday. Thetarget audiences ofDespicable Me 4andMaXXXineessentially have no overlap, sothe former shouldn’t cause trouble for the slasher.
$3.1 million
$9.4 million
$10.1 million
$4.2 million
$11.8 million
$15.1 million
MaXXXine’s biggest competition will be holdoverA Quiet Place: Day One, a movie that veers more towards disaster flick than traditional horror, but still packs in thrills.TheXsequel is projected to earn about $7 million for the weekend, which would be a franchise best. It could be that King’s review will intrigue moviegoers and give it a boost, but it still seems likely thatMaXXXinewill stick within its projected range. Nevertheless, it would be a success for the horror series, and could very well lead to another installment in the future.
MaXXXine
Cast
In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx lands her big break, but her rise to stardom is jeopardized by a mysterious killer targeting starlets. As the body count rises, secrets from Maxine’s past threaten to surface, intertwining her quest for fame with a deadly game of survival.
