Hollywood stars join thriller sequel "MaXXXine" this summer

Two years ago, the low-budget production "Pearl" appeared in theatres. Some critics considered it an excellent horror film, while others saw it as a remarkable psychological drama. The film earned the title of one of the best independent cinema productions in recent years. Now, it's time for its continuation.

The history of this film series is extraordinary. It began with the movie "X." It told the story of a group of aspiring filmmakers from the '80s who rented a house in remote Texas to shoot their first pornographic film. The eccentric and elderly hosts of the house quickly become interested in their guests, and their curiosity soon turns into a dangerous obsession. The slasher received good reviews but didn't revolutionize cinema.

A few months later, "Pearl" - the prequel to "X" - hit the screens. Its action takes place in 1918. The main character lives on a farm in Texas with her paralyzed father and despotic mother. She dreams of escaping the province and becoming a star. Critics emphasized that Pearl's story is about dreams and ambitions and falling into madness. What truly chills the blood here is the protagonist's face, quickly transforming from a child's rosy, kind face into the twisted visage of a lunatic with a pitchfork.

"Pearl" was showered with awards, including a Saturn for the best independent film. Mia Goth, the co-writer and lead actress, drew the most attention. Reviewers noted that there hasn't been a villain like this in years. The film also included references to classics, and since one of the props used by the protagonist is an axe, comparisons to Jack Nicholson's iconic role in "The Shining" emerged.

Hollywood stars in the third part

The last part of the trilogy is titled "MaXXXine". The action moves to the present day – Maxine (Mia Goth), the sole survivor of the massacre on the farm, continues her journey toward an acting career in the adult film industry. In the third installment, viewers will see her in Los Angeles, where she meets real Hollywood stars: Kevin Bacon, Michelle Monaghan, Elizabeth Debicki, and Lily Collins. Such a cast in an independent production testifies to the acclaim of the first two parts of the series.

The worldwide and Canadian premiere of "MaXXXine" is scheduled for July 5. A new film trailer garnered nearly 1.4 million views in a few hours and is already available online. According to film market analysts, this independent movie might become the unexpected hit of the summer season.