MaXXXine

MaXXXine 2024

Directed by

Ti West

Ti West

Made by

A24

A24

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Plot Summary


Maxxine is on a fierce mission to break into the mainstream film industry, desperate to leave behind her past in the adult film industry. Yet, lurking in the shadows is a terrifying threat: a vicious serial killer known as the Night Stalker, who has been mercilessly slaying young women in a gruesome and satanic manner. As Maxxine navigates the challenges of auditions and her burgeoning career, her world is shattered when tragedy strikes—two of her closest friends fall victim to the Night Stalker’s reign of terror, leaving her grappling with grief and fear.

In the midst of this chaos, Maxxine receives a mysterious tape from an unknown sender, followed by a cryptic note containing a phone number. When she makes the call, she encounters her stalker, who chillingly warns that he will do everything in his power to crush her aspirations of becoming a movie star. Despite the overwhelming fear and uncertainty that grips her, Maxxine is determined to pursue her dreams. She heads to the set of “Puritan 2,” where she crosses paths with Mia Goth, a seasoned actress named Molly Bennett, who offers her invaluable guidance and encouragement.

As Maxxine tries to concentrate on her acting, the Night Stalker strikes again, claiming the life of her friend Leon. Devastated by this loss and haunted by the deaths surrounding her, she becomes the focus of detectives investigating the murders. However, she remains tight-lipped, unwilling to share any details about her connections to the victims. With a fierce determination to end this nightmare, she seeks assistance from her movie agent and a trusted friend from the film industry. Together, they devise a cunning plan to face her tormentor head-on.

In a shocking climax, Maxxine confronts and kills Kevin Bacon, a major player in the stalker’s sinister scheme. But her ordeal is far from over. Troubled by the detectives’ warnings and her own growing suspicions, she flees to a remote mansion in the hills. The detectives, now suspicious of her, follow closely behind, hoping to uncover the truth. Inside the haunted, shadowy recesses of the mansion, Maxxine faces the terrifying revelation that the satanic killer is her own father. His plot was bent on controlling and possessing her through a series of twisted rituals.

Just as her father attempts to conduct an exorcism, the detectives storm in, guns drawn, in a desperate effort to halt the ritual. Chaos ensues as cult members clash with the detectives, and in the ensuing turmoil, her father escapes, leaving Maxxine with no choice but to chase after him. When she finally catches up, a devastating reality hits her—the detectives lie dead, their lifeless bodies stark against the backdrop of her nightmare.

With no one left to rely on, Maxxine realizes the responsibility of her fate now rests solely on her shoulders. Overflowing with rage, fear, and a fierce desire for liberation, she tracks down her father and kills him in a final, harrowing confrontation. With the nightmare behind her, Maxxine returns to the film set, ready to film her scenes with newfound resolve. Despite the darkness of her journey, she is determined to seize control of her destiny and finally become the movie star she has always yearned to be.

Timeline


Maxxine's Ambition

Maxxine embarks on a determined quest to break into the mainstream film industry. Leaving behind her past as an adult film actress, she relentlessly pursues opportunities to prove her worth in a new field.

Emergence of the Night Stalker

As Maxxine begins her new journey, a terrifying reality looms over her: a serial killer known as the Night Stalker is methodically targeting young women. His gruesome acts of violence create a climate of fear that threatens to engulf her aspirations.

Tragedy Strikes

Maxxine's world shatters when two of her close friends fall victim to the Night Stalker's brutal rampage. The emotional devastation she faces adds layers of grief and anxiety as her career progresses.

The Mysterious Tape

In the midst of her turmoil, Maxxine receives an unsettling tape from an anonymous source. This is followed by a cryptic note with a phone number that, when called, introduces her to her sinister stalker who threatens her dreams.

Guidance from Molly

Maxxine heads to the filming set of 'Puritan 2', where she meets seasoned actress Molly Bennett. Molly offers her support and guidance, helping Maxxine sharpen her craft as she juggles the horror surrounding her.

Film set of Puritan 2

Another Loss

Just as Maxxine begins to find her footing in the film, tragedy strikes again with the death of her friend Leon at the hands of the Night Stalker. This devastating loss drives her deeper into the investigation, even as she remains silent.

In the Detectives' Spotlight

After Leon's murder, Maxxine becomes a prime focus for the detectives probing the killings. Despite their interest, she resolutely keeps her connections to the victims private, determined to shield herself from further scrutiny.

Plotting Against the Stalker

Frustrated and desperate, Maxxine teams up with her movie agent and a trusted friend to devise a plan that aims to directly confront her tormentor. This marks a crucial turning point in her battle against the fear that grips her.

Confrontation with Kevin Bacon

In a shocking twist, Maxxine finds herself face-to-face with Kevin Bacon, a key figure in the stalker's appalling game. After a tumultuous struggle, she manages to kill him, believing that she has sent a message to her tormentor.

Fleeing to the Mansion

After the confrontation, Maxxine's sense of danger escalates, prompting her to flee to a remote mansion in the hills. Ironically, this hideaway soon becomes a battleground for her deepest fears.

Remote mansion in the hills

The Terrifying Revelation

While hiding in the mansion, Maxxine uncovers a chilling truth—the Night Stalker is her own father. His sinister plans are revealed to be laced with twisted rituals aimed at possessing her, escalating the horror of her situation.

Remote mansion

The Ritual Interrupted

As her father attempts to carry out an exorcism on her, detectives burst into the mansion, aiming to rescue her. This chaotic confrontation leads to a fierce battle between cult members and law enforcement.

Remote mansion

A Grim Aftermath

In the aftermath of the chaos, Maxxine discovers the detectives murdered and left behind. This shocking revelation only intensifies her resolve to face her father and end the nightmare once and for all.

Remote mansion

The Final Confrontation

Overcome with rage and a thirst for liberation, Maxxine tracks down her father and confronts him in a final showdown. In a harrowing clash, she manages to kill him, reclaiming her agency in a moment of catharsis.

Return to Film Set

With her father's death, Maxxine feels a weight lifted from her shoulders and returns to the film set with renewed purpose. Determined to seize control of her destiny, she is ready to embrace her dream of becoming a movie star.

Film set

Characters


Maxine Minx (Mia Goth)

Maxine is a tenacious and determined woman striving to carve out a new identity for herself in the mainstream film world. Despite her traumatic past and the overwhelming fear instilled by the Night Stalker, she showcases immense resilience and strength. Her character evolves as she confronts not only external threats but also complex personal demons rooted in her family.

🎬 Lead 💪 Resilient 😔 Grief-stricken

Detective Torres (Bobby Cannavale)

Detective Torres is dedicated and relentless in his pursuit of the Night Stalker. He embodies the law's tenacity in a chaotic environment filled with personal loss. His role highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when confronting deeply personal and heinous crimes.

🔍 Detective 🚓 Tenacious 💔 Grieving

Maxine's Father (Kevin Bacon)

He is a menacing figure whose twisted belief systems and actions create the film's central horror. His desire to control Maxine under the guise of a familial bond showcases the horrors that can spring from misguided love and parental influence. His character serves as a stark embodiment of betrayal and the fears inherent in familial relationships.

🧙‍♂️ Villain ❌ Controlling 🌪️ Chaotic

Setting


Time period

The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern challenges in the film industry alongside the timeless themes of ambition and fear. The context of ongoing issues such as violence against women resonates throughout the narrative, underscoring the relevance of the events depicted.

Location

Hollywood, Remote Mansion, Film Set

The movie traverses the vibrant yet dark underbelly of Hollywood, a place known for its glittering facade and the harsh realities behind the camera. Maxxine's journey leads her to a remote mansion, shrouded in mystery and danger, which becomes a critical site of confrontation. Additionally, the film set is an essential backdrop, representing Maxxine's ambition to break into mainstream cinema despite the looming threats.

🎬 Film Industry 🏚️ Mansion 🌆 Urban

Themes


🎭

Ambition

Maxxine's relentless drive to succeed in the film industry is a primary theme of the movie. Her journey from the adult film industry to mainstream acting showcases her desire to redefine her identity. However, this ambition is continually threatened by external forces, including the menacing presence of the Night Stalker.

🩸

Fear

The film delves deeply into the theme of fear, manifesting through Maxxine's experiences with the serial killer and the loss of her friends. This pervasive fear shapes her actions and decisions, showcasing how trauma can profoundly impact one's pursuit of dreams and aspirations.

👨‍👧‍👦

Family

A shocking revelation about familial ties drives home the theme of family and betrayal. Maxxine's confrontation with her father complicates her understanding of love and loyalty, challenging her to break free from his control and the toxic legacy he represents.

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