Less than two months ahead of release, one ofA24’s most anticipated new projects just got an exciting new update. In an exclusive interview withTotal Film, which also revealed a new look at the film, directorTi Westsat down to talk about the third installment in hisXhorror trilogy,MaXXXine. West sung the movie’s praises by calling it"very rich,“and was also quoted as sayingMaXXXinehas"a Terminator-like aesthetic to aPaul Schrader Hardcorething toVice SquadtoGallo.”
MaXXXineis slated to hit theaters on July 5, and is set to concludeMia Goth’s partnership with writer/director West in theXtrilogy. The first film,X, stars Goth,scream queenJenna Ortega, andKid Cudi, and the second film,Pearl— a prequel to the first — also stars Goth, but features an ensemble cast ofSuperman actorDavid Corenswet,Tandi Wright, andMatthew Sunderland. BothHardcoreandVice Squadare late 70s/early 80s crime thrillers, which sets an interesting potential tone for the movie when juxtaposed with the time-traveling dystopian sci-fi flick,The Terminator.
How Have the Films in the ‘X’ Franchise Performed Critically and Financially?
As the first entry into the trilogy, which was released on July 02, 2025,West’sXpremiered to universal acclaim from both critics and audiences, earning a"certified fresh"94% approval rating from critics and an accompanying 74% score from general audiences onRotten Tomatoes. The film also grossed more than $11 million domestically and nearly $3 million overseas for a worldwide total of just over $14 million, which may not sound like much in an era ofmulti-million dollar blockbusters, but this was all on a $1 million budget, meaningXgrossed more than 14x its budget at the box office.
As for the prequel, which was released shortly afterX,Pearlalso received the same love from critics with even more appreciation from general audiences, debuting onRotten Tomatoeswith a nearly identical 93% critics score and an improved 84% audience rating.Pearldid not find the same success as its predecessorXat the box office, grossing $9 million in the U.S. and only a few hundred thousand overseas, bringing its worldwide total to $9.7 million. Fortunately forA24, the movie also only cost $1 million, meaning it was still a profitable endeavor.
MaXXXinearrives in theaters on July 5. Check out the new image above and watch the first installment in the trilogy,X, onNetflix.
In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally secures her big break. As she navigates her path to stardom, a mysterious killer begins targeting Hollywood starlets, leaving a trail of blood that threatens to expose her sinister past.
