MaXXXine has been highly anticipated by fans of the trilogy ever since the first teaser trailer was revealed in a post-credit stinger for the second film, Pearl. The first two films, X, and Pearl, were filmed simultaneously, as both movies star Mia Goth as protagonist Maxine Minx, the elderly version of Pearl, and the younger version of Pearl. Both were released roughly 6 months apart in 2022. It has been nearly two years of waiting to finally see how the trilogy will be wrapped up. Or is there a chance there might be a fourth film in the near future? The production status of Pearl was kept under wraps for the most part, surprising fans of X when the release date was so soon after X had its theatrical run. Continue reading to find out who we can expect to see in MaXXXine, and what we can expect from their characters!

Mia Goth

Maxine Minx

Since her introduction in the first film, X, it has been clear that Maxine is determined to become a famous Hollywood star, no matter the cost. She started as an adult film actress in 1979, intending to use her connections to eventually break into more serious roles. However, after the horrific murders of her friends and colleagues, she continues on her journey to Los Angeles in MaXXXine, which is set in 1985. Unfortunately for her, this also takes place during the brief reign of terror held by the notorious serial killer, Richard Ramirez, also known as “The Night Stalker.” Will she cross paths with the killer, or will she attempt to take out her competition and frame it on him?

Maxine Minx is played by Mia Goth, who, as previously mentioned, has proven her ability to portray a ruthless and unhinged starlet seeking fame in the previous films of the trilogy. Goth is no stranger to dark and horrifying movies filled with gore and violence, however. Most recently she starred in Brandon Cronenberg’s disturbing horror mystery, Infinity Pool, with Alexander Skarsgård and Cleopatra Coleman. She also voiced Mabel in the creepy triptych animated film, The House, and was featured in Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 remake of Dario Argento’s fantasy-horror film, Suspiria. In addition to MaXXXine, Goth will also be starring in two other upcoming films, the reboot of the vampire hunter franchise, Blade, as Lilith, and Guillermo Del Toro's reimagining of Frankenstein.

Elizabeth Debicki

Elizabeth “Liz” Bender

Elizabeth Bender is a Hollywood director currently working on the fictional film, The Puritan II. As she is a high-powered director and Maxine is desperate to claw her way into the industry, the two of them will inevitably meet and potentially butt heads with one another about the creative process, acting ability, and casting choices. Bender is played by Elizabeth Debicki, who portrayed royalty as Princess Diana in The Crown as well as high-priestess Ayesha, the mother of Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) in Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3. Prior to these royal roles, she also played a highly respected professional golfer, Jordan Baker, in the 2013 film The Great Gatsby and Kat in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. In an interview with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, she stated that her character, Liz Bender, reminds her a bit of MaXXXine director, Ti West.

Moses Sumney

Leon

According to the first official trailer that came out roughly two months ago, Leon appears to be a friend of Maxine, whom she makes shortly after coming to Los Angeles. He can be seen placing VHS tapes on shelves, implying that he works at or possibly owns a video rental store. She grills him to list names of famous actors who made their big breakthrough after starring in a horror movie, but before he can finish his list, she interrupts him and says “Maxine f*****g Minx!” While he is only in the trailer briefly, it’s clear from their onscreen chemistry that he might turn out to be a good friend and confidante of Maxine’s as she claws her way to fame. Leon is played by Moses Sumney, who is best known for his work on music and sound design in films like Venom, Queen & Slim, and Mother/Android, but he has also appeared as an actor in HBO’s drama series, The Idol, and the 2015 sports drama, Creed.

Michelle Monaghan

Detective Williams

Michelle Monaghan is no stranger to the role of a detective, as she was married to one in the first season of True Detective. However, this time she gets to put the badge on and conduct her own investigation into the mounting homicides occurring in Los Angeles, thanks to The Night Stalker. She sets her sights on Maxine as a potential suspect, due to the fact that Maxine personally knew three of the most recent victims. In addition to her role as Maggie Hart in True Detective, Monaghan has also starred in Gone Baby Gone, Eagle Eye, and the romantic comedy The Heartbreak Kid. In addition to her role in MaXXXine, she will also be in the much-anticipated third season of the HBO comedy-drama series, The White Lotus.

Bobby Cannavale

Detective Torres

Detective Torres is partnered with Detective Williams as they investigate the sudden uptick in the brutal murders that occur around the same time as Maxine Minx’s arrival in Los Angeles. He is the one who first asks Maxine about her potential involvement in the three murders that occurred within three days and seems to be extra suspicious about her past and involvement with the events that happened in the first film, X. Torres is played by Bobby Cannavale, who recently starred in the emotional drama, Ezra, Netflix’s mystery-drama series, The Watcher, and appeared as Cassie Lang’s stepfather, Paxton, in Ant-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp, as well as the villainous Van Pelt in the 2017 reboot, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

Halsey

Tabby Martin

Singer and actress, Halsey, appears as Tabby Martin, a new friend of Maxine’s in Los Angeles. She seems to try to take Maxine under her wing as an adult film and entertainment performer, warning her of the dangers of The Night Stalker. When Maxine assures her that she “can handle herself,” Tabby responds, “So said every dead girl in Hollywood.” In addition to her singing career, Halsey also appeared in Sing 2 and If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power.

Lily Collins

Molly Bennett

Molly Bennett is the star in the ongoing production of the fictional film, The Puritan II, directed by Elizabeth Debicki’s “Liz Bender.” It's unclear whether Molly and Maxine will get along, as they are technically in competition with each other for leading roles. They are briefly introduced to each other in the trailer by Bender, after shooting a particularly gory scene for the film. Molly Bennett is portrayed by Lily Collins, who stars in the Netflix comedy-drama, Emily In Paris. She also starred in the 2020 mystery-horror film, Inheritance, and the drama To the Bone, which features a young woman dealing with anorexia. If her character in MaXXXine is as tenacious about striving for her idea of “perfection” as she was in To the Bone, Maxine might have just met her match.

Giancarlo Esposito

Teddy Knight

Giancarlo Esposito is no stranger to dark and unsettling roles. He first became a mainstream name for his portrayal of Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, he voiced the villain Antón Castillo in the 6th Far Cry video game, and most recently appeared in The Boys as the cold and calculated Stan Edgar of Vought American Consolidated. Esposito’s character, Teddy Knight, in MaXXXine, is an agent for adult film industry actors as well as Z-list film actors who aspire to become big-time stars. He takes Maxine on as a client shortly after she arrives in Los Angeles.

Kevin Bacon

John Labat

John Labat is a private investigator who was hired by “a very powerful man.” He is determined to ruin her chances of becoming a famous star by dragging up her past involvement with the massacre that took place in 1979. It’s not clear who this employer is, but it’s almost certain to come out in the film as Maxine does not take kindly to those who try to interfere with her budding career as an actress. Labat is played by Kevin Bacon, who started his career as a slasher movie star in the 1980 movie, Friday the 13th. Since then, he has starred in several horror movies, including Tremors, Flatliners, Hollow Man, the crime-drama thriller, Mystic River, and most recently, They/Them. In addition to MaXXXine, he will also be starring in the upcoming horror-drama television series, The Bondsman.

Joining the cast are Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) as an FX artist, Simon Prast as Ernest, Maxine’s father and televangelist, and Charley Rowan McCain as a young Maxine. Thatcher has most recently starred in The Boogeyman and will also star in the upcoming A24 horror, Heretic, which features Hugh Grant as a deranged psychopath. Simon Prast made a brief appearance in X, as a bible-thumping religious fanatic on a program that can be seen playing on the television in the farmhouse. This film will likely dive more deeply into his dysfunctional relationship with his daughter, Maxine when she is much younger and still known as “Maxine Miller.”