Cube Critics discuss ‘MaXXXine’ and ‘Longlegs’

Cube Critics Alex V. Cipolle and Max Sparber discuss two serial killer movies set in the ’80s and ’90s and featuring women haunted by their pasts.

The following are capsule reviews edited from the audio heard using the player above.

‘MaXXXine’

“MaXXXine” marks the third installment in director Ti West’s X series, following “X” and its prequel “Pearl.” Set in 1980s Los Angeles, the film sees the return of Mia Goth as the ambitious adult film star Maxine Minx, who is on the brink of mainstream success with her lead role in the horror movie “Puritan 2.” However, her rise to stardom is overshadowed by a series of murders linked to her past.

The film brilliantly captures the sleazy aesthetic of the ’80s without slipping into misogyny, blending campy, pulpy vibes with an array of gory, over-the-top deaths. "MaXXXine" also offers a nostalgic tour of Hollywood, featuring memorable scenes on the iconic set of "Psycho," providing a peek into the Bates Motel and the rarely seen interior of the Victorian house on the hill.

Mia Goth shines throughout, delivering a performance filled with unhinged charm and an almost alien beauty. While “MaXXXine” enriches its story when viewed as part of the X series trilogy, it’s also as a quintessential summer horror flick, drenched in ’80s pastiche.

Now in theaters, this film comes highly recommended for a thrilling, squishy-core experience.

— Alex V. Cipolle

‘Longlegs’

“Longlegs,” directed by Oz Perkins and starring Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage, delves into the eerie world of supernatural horror.

Monroe, known for her role in “It Follows,” plays an FBI agent who may have psychic abilities. She is pursued by a serial killer nicknamed Longlegs, portrayed by Nicolas Cage in his most bizarre performance since his last film.

Cage's character, with his pasty white skin, long hair and absent eyebrows, is actually a bit reminiscent of Mia Goth’s distinctive style.

The film also has a connection to “Psycho,” with Oz Perkins being the son of “Psycho” star Anthony Perkins. The film includes nods to iconic horror influences — while Perkins cites “Silence of the Lambs” as an inspiration, the film’s atmosphere and unsettling tone bear a closer resemblance to “Twin Peaks.”

The plot, involving a satanic dollmaker and murder-suicide among families, has been criticized for making no sense, but I thought it made too much sense. The film works best as a collection of scenes that masterfully create unsettling vibes.

“Longlegs” promises to oscillate between terrifying and hilarious upon repeated viewings, much like the works of David Lynch.

— Max Sparber