MaXXXine (Limited Edition) 4K Ultra HD Review

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

A Proper Ending for a Horror Legend

Ti West’s MaXXXine is more than simply another sequel; it is the explosive, neon-drenched finish to a trilogy that changed contemporary horror. Starting after the violent occurrences of X, this third installment exchanges the filthy Texas farm for the dazzling, seedy underside of 1980s Hollywood. It’s a brave change in scene and style that pays off, producing a tight and elegant slasher that confirms Mia Goth’s Maxine Minx as a genuine horror icon for the centuries.

Leaving the Past Behind for a Hollywood Dream

The movie finds our survivor Maxine Minx at last pursuing the notoriety she so much wants. Los Angeles in 1985 is a city of possibility and risk; the real-life Night Stalker killings cast a protracted shadow. Determined to leave her adult movie background behind, Maxine gets a wanted audition for a genuine horror film, The Puritan II. But as she fights her way up, a covert assassin starts targeting those around her and a suspicious private eye (a really slimy Kevin Bacon) appears threatening to reveal the secrets she believed to have kept buried. Maxine’s personal ambition is skillfully intertwined with the prevalent dread of the time to generate a persistent, unsettling feeling of fear.

Mia Goth Dominates the Screen

Wait if you considered Mia Goth a force in X and Pearl. In MaXXXine she is a real force of nature. She perfectly encapsulates Maxine’s unrelenting, almost wild will to live and her unrelenting, almost feral ambition to be a star. Goth depicts Maxine as both weak and extremely tough, causing you to support her even when her actions are dubious. With a magnetic performance that ranks among her best, she bears the whole movie.

Star-Studded Cast in a Gritty World

Goth is surrounded by an amazing ensemble cast that resurrects 1980s Hollywood. While Giancarlo Esposito adds his trademark seriousness as Maxine’s agent, Elizabeth Debicki is perfectly cast as a sophisticated film director. Adding a layer of gritty police procedural, the investigators on the case played by Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale efficiently populate the world of aspiring starlets by Halsey and Lily Collins. Everybody seems to fit in this sun-soaked, neon-drenched, ethically grey setting.

Ti West’s Love Letter to 80s Movies

Once again, director Ti West demonstrates his genre expertise. MaXXXine plunges first into the world of ‘80s thrillers and the early days of the home video revolution, whereas X was a kind tribute to ‘70s grindhouse and Pearl paid homage to vintage Technicolor melodramas. The synth-heavy score, the meticulous production design, and the overall aesthetic are a love letter to the era. Though it’s more of a continuous, anxious thriller than it is about the slow-burn shocks of the first movie, it is every bit as compelling and exquisitely created.

The Conclusion

One of the most innovative horror trilogies in recent memory, maXXXine offers a gratifying and ambitious ending. It skillfully combines slasher suspense with an intriguing narrative about celebrity, suffering, and the cost of the American dream. Though it is strong on its own, for followers of the franchise it is a total must-see that provides Maxine Minx’s merciless trip a satisfying conclusion. MaXXXine is a brutal, fashionable, and unforgettable journey to the top thanks to Mia Goth’s star-making performance and Ti West’s sure direction.

The Video

MaXXXine was originally shot on Red Komodo and Sony CineAlta Venice 2 cameras with various anamorphic lenses in 6K and 4K resolution at 2.39:1 aspect ratio. It comes to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from Second Sight in a 2.39:1 HEVC 2160p (4K UHD) Dolby Vision encodement. The transfer uses a 4K digital intermediate master. Although this movie is 100% digital, it has quite obviously been given a very filmic appearance with “grain” added in post-processing or via in-camera settings, or a combination of both. The dynamic range is somewhat limited, but the Dolby Vision grading still gives a little bit of neon pop and California warmth to the reserved color palette.

The Audio

An Atmos mix is provided alongside the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for MaXXXine. There is very little difference between the two mixes other than the Atmos mixes moves some of the atmospherics up from the base channels. I used the Atmos mix as my reference and it is not an aggressive mix, opting more for a spacious sound that places ambience and subtle sound effects overhead and though the surround channels. Low end is also subtle, but hefty enough to carry the music and louder sound effects.

The Supplements

Second Sight does what they usually do and packs this film in a gorgeous rigid slipcase with a 120-page book and multiple new interviews with cast and crew.

Limited Edition Contents:

• Rigid slipcase with new artwork by OC Agency Group
• 120-page book with new essays by Reyna Cervantes, Sarah Miles, Sam Moore, James Rose, Rebecca Sayce and Michelle Swope
• 6 collectors’ art cards 

Bonus Features:

• Presented in HDR with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
• New audio commentary by Bill Ackerman & Amanda Reyes
• Back to the Blank Page: A new interview with Director Ti West (1080p; 00:16:03)
• Money on the Screen: A new interview with Producer Jacob Jaffke (1080p; 00:29:54)
• B-Movie Aesthetic: A new interview with Director of Photography Eliot Rockett (1080p; 00:21:09)
• Curating Space: A new audio interview with Production Designer Jason Kisvarday (1080p; 00:24:28)
• The Whole World’s Gonna Know My Name: Kat Hughes on MaXXXine (1080p; 00:14:56)
• The Belly of the Beast (1080p; 00:09:37)
• XXX Marks the Spot (1080p; 00:11:19)
• Hollywood is a Killer (1080p; 00:08:12)
• Q&A with Ti West (1080p; 00:25:28)

The Final Assessment

A fitting end to the cycle for the “X” franchise from Ti West, looks and sounds superb from Second Sight, and is beautifully packaged and packed to the brim with bonus features.

MaXXXine (Limited Edition) is out on 4K Ultra HD in the UK November 17, 2025 from Second Sight

Details

• Rating Certificate: 18
• Studios & Distributors: A24 | Motel Mojave | Access Entertainment | New Zealand Film Commission | Second Sight Films
• Director: Ti West
• Written By: Ti West
• Run Time: 104 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
• Video Format: HEVC 2160p (4K UHD)
• HDR Format: Dolby Vision (HDR10 Compatible)
• Primary Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
• Secondary Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1)
• Subtitles: English SDH
• Street Date: 17 November 2025