Writer and director Ti West returns with MaXXXine, an electric conclusion to his horror trilogy, following the brilliantly bonkers X and Pearl.

Where the previous two movies were set in the Seventies and post World War I respectively, this time it’s all pop music and leg warmers as the franchise enters the Eighties, bringing a raw and gritty portrayal of an era rife with ambition, dreams, and the darker undercurrents of the human psyche.

Set in 1985 Los Angeles, MaXXXine follows Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) – who we last saw crushing the skull of a certain crazed elderly lady in X – as she navigates the dark landscape of the entertainment industry, while also coming to terms with the trauma she suffered the decade before.

Driven by a relentless, almost manic, pursuit of fame and success (and perhaps, self-worth – “I will not accept a life I do not deserve,” she repeats to herself in the mirror), Maxine is desperately trying to navigate the treacherous trials of Tinseltown when she seemingly falls into the path of the deadly Night Stalker (based on the real serial killer Richard Ramirez who stalked the streets of California in 1984), and those she’s closest to keep turning up horrifically murdered. Is she next? Or even worse, will it affect her burgeoning acting career?

Mia Goth has starred in all three X movies and this last performance is a tour-de-force, embodying Maxine with a raw intensity that captures both her vulnerability and her fierce determination. Goth’s ability to switch between fragility and ferocity is nothing short of mesmerising, ensuring you can’t look away from the screen for even a second, no matter how intense things get.

And intense they sure do get. West’s direction is audacious and meticulous, masterfully blending psychological horror with slasher elements. His horror influences are evident, drawing from the suspenseful tension of Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho plays a pivotal part in the movie), as well as the gritty realism of Tobe Hooper. And West’s use of practical effects over CGI adds a tangible sense of dread and realism (a scene in an alleyway will stay with you long after the credits roll).

MaXXXine is a bold and thrilling conclusion to West’s trilogy, solidifying his place as a master of modern horror. It delves deep into themes of obsession, the cost of ambition, and the dark side of the quest for stardom. It’s unapologetically dark and gritty, yet it manages to infuse moments of dark humor and irony, pushing boundaries of the drama and offering a fresh and compelling narrative. MaXXXine is a dark, unique, and unforgettable ride.

MaXXXine is out in cinemas on 5 July