'X', 'Pearl', 'MaXXXine' etc.

It is almost time for the third installment in the horror franchise created by Ti West, which should come out sometime this year. Unfortunately, we do not yet have a release date for 'MaXXXine'. West shares an update on the current status of the film, saying, 'I don't know what I can tell you. It's coming along. I'm editing it, so it's on its way, so far, so good. I don't mind telling you some stuff, but at the same time, the less people know, the more ... I feel like so many movies now, you know everything about them, and, surely, whenever the trailer comes out for this movie, they always give away too much, so there's something nice about not knowing a lot about it'.

Until then, we can have a conversation about some news that is percolating the area and past projects of the director as well as his future involvements with A24 studio. First, I have to say that the director has a very questionable track record to begin with, but after both 'X', which I was able to see in theaters, and 'Pearl', which never came to me, but I streamed as hell, he undid the curse surrounding his career and now has become somewhat of a legend. Of course, with this track record, it will be hard to trust him with a lot of money, but it is so impressive to see what he is able to create with just a million budget for both his last movies. He not only created a well-received and visually intriguing project but also a cult classic that may now maybe grow into its cinematic universe. After a lot of talk about the trilogy and 'MaXXXine' being the last hurrah, now there is a conversation about going forward with a fourth movie. 'There is this one weird idea that I have that is kind of… if I explained it, it would make sense. But we’ll see what happens. Let’s get this movie done first, see if people like it. Then we’ll go from there.' Shares the director Ti West who is slowly but steadily carving his way into the horror genre. He turned Mia Goth into a star, which is so funny to say if you are familiar with the movies, and she believes that her best work over this so far trilogy is in 'MaXXXine'. 

How did he manage it? Filming for 'Pearl' began in New Zealand and proceeded back-to-back with the first movie, utilizing the same sets constructed for 'X'. With 'X' released, the second part was promptly ready, injecting vitality into the projects and establishing a more efficient production dynamic. While filming in secret presents challenges, the smaller production scale allowed for greater concealment of activities on set, minimizing outside peeks. 'X' and 'Pearl' cost 1 million each to make, and they were able to be successful not only with their Box Office achievements but creating this new and exciting A24 horror franchise.

What happened in the first two movies? I believe that the 'X' symbolizes something significant. It strongly reminded me of a crossroads for two similar souls burdened with overly dramatic Christian families. The dominant authority figure within each family, whether it be Pearl's mother or Maxine's father, and the lack of participation from the other, seem to create an intriguing dynamic within each household. Longing to escape their fate, both girls resort to various measures, in order to fight against everything in their path. Driven by their circumstances and their pursuit of fame and wealth, they both make numerous sacrifices in their quest for stardom. Mia Goth successfully embodies two distinct and captivating characters, infusing each with depth and intensity. After their paths intersect and one eliminates the other in a horrific manner, the third movie will explore Maxine's future. With numerous X's in the title, it seems likely that the film could intersect with other characters, potentially taking center stage in the fourth installment and beyond.

Iliya Badev