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The end of theMaxxxinetrilogy lands in theaters this weekend. The trilogy of horror films explores generational journies of starlets and women reaching for superstardom. How they find that success varies greatly, from infamy to adult films and even iconic roles in B-movies. Ti West and Mia Goth collaborated to writePearlwhile waiting to shootX, while West wrote each of the other stories. With that much control over the franchise, we’ve assembled nine movies that inspired the horror showcases.
The Movies That InfluencedX
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1974)
The most obvious influence onXcomes fromThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The 1974 horror classic not only broke the mold of what was possible in the genre. It also helped define a specific aesthetic that would be borrowed, recycled, and reused for years. Many grindhouse movies, including Ti West, Rob Zombie, and others, openly crib offThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It ranks among the most influential movies ever made and, in my opinion, one of the scariest. Borrowing the sun-bleached setup before a nighttime killing frenzy helpsXpay homage. However, it’s the farmhouse setting, van-riding youth, and the feeling of sex in the air all contribute to the vibes.
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Easy Rider(1969)
The movie that ushered New Hollywood into the industry, Dennis Hopper’s counterculture classic, continues its influence in X. It’s most evident in the editing, with the quick editing bouncing between the past and present to represent Maxine’s mind. When combined with RJ’s obsession with “realism” and non-linear storytelling,Easy Riderprovides a road map for the filmmaking RJ pursues. It’s why the crew thinks they can make it big overnight, combined with the success of movies of the Porn Chic movement of the 1970s.
Friday the 13th(1980)
Friday the 13thborrowed elements from every successful slasher ahead of its time to build a solid foundation. In many ways, it is the ideal blueprint for a movie likeX. However, because of its own power as an iconic feature, West pulls some of its stylistic aspects. Some great POV shots and a whispery score highlight some ofFriday the 13th‘s best moments.Xis better because of its proximity to lewd behavior and Ms. Vorhees’ hatred of young adults getting busy.
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The Movies That InfluencedPearl
The Wizard of Oz
The bright colors and saturation ofThe Wizard of Ozshare many characteristics withPearl. The Texas fields of wheat feel pulled straight out of the technicolor classic. The most obvious allusion comes with the literal Scarecrow sequences. However, you can also see West’s fascination with the bright colors throughoutPearl. This musical, combined with our next entry, helps inspire the multi-color dreamlike dance sequence in the final act.
Ziegfeld Girl
Much ofZiegfeld Girland many other musicals of the era relied on the talents of Busby Berkeley. As the choreographer of over fifty films and some of Broadway’s biggest shows, Berkeley became a draw on his own. While Footlight Parade, 42nd Street, and The Gold Diggers series were all popular, Ziegfeld Girl bears the closest resemblance to Pearl. As three women pursue their dream on Broadway. Another Judy Garland starring movie, this time with characters doing whatever they can to reach stardom, Ziegfeld Girl helps inspire the choreography and dance of Pearl. Goth became a certified superstar with Pearl, and it’sbecause of this performance.
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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Two women are torn apart by their pursuit of fame.What Ever Happened to Baby Janegave Bette Davis and Joan Crawford a huge career boost. The anger boiling over in each character felt honest for both actresses at that time. However, Davis as Baby Jane and Goth asPearlshare a kinship. It eventually becomes text inMaxxxine(as “Bette Davis Eyes” blares toward the end of the movie). They do not understand their inability to earn the fame and fortune they are owed. They even commit familicide just to prove that point. Pulling fromWhat Ever Happened to Baby Jane?helpsPearlshowcase the complexity of its lead.
The Movies that InfluencedMaxxxine
Body Double
A descent into madness, murder, and pornography helped Brian De Palma touch a societal nerve. Hot off ofCarrie, Blow Out, andScarface,Body Doublepushed the extremes. It’s not only aRear Windowhomage but allowed De Palma to craft a provocative and lurid picture of Los Angeles. The neons and coloring ofBody Doublefeels alive and well inMaxxxine. Most importantly, the kill scenes bear a striking resemblance to the classic thriller.
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A father loses track of his daughter, who runs away to Los Angeles. Not only does she disappear, but she throws away her Christian upbringing for hardcore pornography. Sound familiar? Paul Schraeder came out swinging with his second feature, andHardcoreneedled at the disconnect between Schraeder and his own father. Anchored by Schraeder’s brilliant screenplay and George C. Scott’s larger-than-life performance,Hardcorehas become an undersung classic.
Peeping Tom
ThroughoutMaxxxinethere’s a personal, if not voyeuristic, approach to the kills. Watching through the lens of the camera, West highlights a disconnect between the women being murdered on screen and the way we observe sex in popular culture. If we believe in the disconnect, we can ignore the darker truths. Peeping Tom gave Michael Powell one of the most shocking thrillers ever. It made people lose their minds when it was released and even pushed Hitchcock to get darker in the future. Pulling from the visuals Powell crafted and using some influence from Michael Mann’sManhunter, the camera-focused POV becomes more effective inMaxxxine.
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Alan French
Film/TV Critic
Articles Published :280
Alan French began writing about television and film by covering the Emmys and Oscar beats in 2016. Since then, he has written hundreds of reviews on TV and movies. He attends film festivals regularly. He is a Rotten Tomato-approved critic and is on the committee for the Critics Association of Central Florida.
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Brian De PalmaMaXXXineMia GothPearlTi West
