Ti West’s trilogy-capping horror movie MaXXXine, yet while the movie follows the same original path as prequels Pearl and X, the movie is also a welcome reminder to revisit another acclaimed production – albeit from a different genre. Film buffs with a soft spot for underdogs and classic horror movies will find much to admire in MaXXXine. This film doesn’t just revisit the ambitious heroine; it delves into the era that fueled her aspirations, the golden age of B-movies, and the unforgettable figures who made them.

After the critical success of its predecessors, anticipation was high for MaXXXine. While the movie perhaps hasn’t been as warmly received as X or Pearl, it nonetheless stands up as a bombastic horror movie, with another scintiliating performance from star Mia Goth. Like the other installments in the series, MaXXXine is an exploration of fame, success, and Hollywood. As a result, the movie shares thematic ground with the often-underrated cult classic from 30 years ago.

Ed Wood & MaXXXine Both Succeed By Celebrating The Underdog

Like MaXXXine, Ed Wood celebrates the tenacity of outsiders squashing obstacles to realize their vision. Audiences to see underdogs on the big screen, and Maxine and Ed’s struggles against all odds inspire empathy. Like many, Maxine wants more for herself. Her mantra is, “I will not accept a life I do not deserve.” This quote is telling. She could have said, “I will get the life I deserve,” but she speaks in the negative. She’s not merely determined – she is determined not only to pursue what she deserves but to reject anything less. It’s a message about defiance and proving those naysayers wrong.

At the beginning of the film, in the audition scene, there’s a judgmental edge to Elizabeth Bender’s tone (Sophie Turner) when she asks, “Is that your real accent?” emphasizing Maxine as an outsider. Undeterred, she simply replies with Southern charm, “Yes, ma’am.” Maxine also doesn’t bat an eyelid about her adult film career, stating, “The way I see it, acting’s acting.” Maxine communicates that what sets her apart will only help her, not hold her back. This confidence impresses Elizabeth, who has an affinity with her as a female artist trying to pave her way in a male-dominated, unforgiving industry.

Tim Burton, in his underrated cult classic Ed Wood, also makes a hero of the outsider and underdog. A biopic of the real horror director, he’s one of many outsiders in Burton’s oeuvre, like Edward Scissorhands. Much like Scissorhands, Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Wood is one of endearing, childlike wonder. In the opening, he’s seen to be uplifting his discouraged cast following disappointing press. This sets the tone for his almost unwavering optimism that makes him easy to root for, even knowing he’s the voted “worst” director.

Ed is the ultimate underdog. He has strong values – “I want this film to tell the truth,” he says of Glen Or Glenda. By the end, he’s self-assured, not allowing investors, casting issues, or even good filmmaking practices to stand in the way of his pure vision – as he puts it, “All I wanna do is tell stories.” He also dresses in women’s clothing, which makes him feel more comfortable. In an artificial Hollywood environment, his true self-expression makes him an outsider throughout, but is portrayed positively. In this way, he is not unlike Maxine, with his determined pursuit of personal authenticity.

Ed Wood & MaXXXine Both Pay Homage To Hollywood Horror Movies

Both Ed Wood and MaXXXine are love letters to Hollywood classic horror and campy pulp. In MaXXXine, Elizabeth wants to elevate the genre, calling her horror picture “a B movie with A ideas” – a quote that perfectly encapsulates Ti West’s trilogy. Even by the 80s, horror was still somewhat seen as a tawdry genre, one that Maxine sees as a rite of passage. The soundtrack of MaXXXine also pays homage to previous thrillers that comment on Hollywood as a “beast,” as Elizabeth terms it – the saxophone-heavy score is reminiscent of Angelo Badalamenti’s work on Lynch’s Mulholland Drive.

MaXXXine’s many references to the horror genre are well documented, including a shower scene lifted from Hitchcock’s Psycho. It also pays homage via the studio sets shown, including the Bates Motel and horror house, also from Psycho. Ti West reveres classic horror movies and their special effects. He discussed this in an AMA, calling practical effects more “visceral” than CGI (via Reddit). West’s tribute is a continuation of the X trilogy. X channels 70s slashers, Pearl nods to Turner Classics, and MaXXXine leans into grimy 80s noir thrillers. Like Maxine’s character, this genre is a subversive, unapologetic bloodbath.

If MaXXXine is a love letter to classic horror, Ed Wood is a serenade. One of the main characters is Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau), who personifies greatness in the horror genre. Like Ed, who he affectionately calls Eddie, he desires simply to be seen and acknowledged, which can be compared to Maxine’s simple ambition to be a “star” and for everyone to know her name. Struggling with age, divorce, and opiate addiction, Bela’s sunset years have tragic overtones; he fears that he is “obsolete,” a word choice that makes him comparable to the archaic vampire he iconically portrayed.

The sets in Ed Wood, as well as its monochrome, are a tribute to old Hollywood. Much of the film is shot on location, such as the Musso and Frank Grill, an iconic LA restaurant featured in multiple films and TV series. The storyline of this underdog making his horror sci-fi Plan 9 From Outer Space against multiple obstacles, even persuading his colleagues to get baptized for funding reasons, is a testament to the passion and community in the horror genre. His resurrection of Lugosi after his death is also defended as “how he wanted to be remembered.” This passion for moviemaking is just as important in MaXXXine.

Why Ed Wood Is An Underappreciated Cult Classic

Three decades later, horror looks in its rearview mirror once again, with 2024 being one of the best years for horror in recent memory. The strikes in Hollywood are a reminder of the industry’s long and complex relationship with its creative forces. From the bygone era of studio contracts to battles over genre censorship, the fight for artistic freedom and fair compensation has been a constant undercurrent. As such themes have become more relevant, Ed Wood‘s resonance has only become more apparent.

While Hollywood looks towards its future, its past struggles resonate, prompting a celebration of creativity and the challenges facing those who bring stories to life. In light of MaXXXine‘s release and the spotlighting of these themes, it’s arguably the perfect time to revisit Ed Wood. With its poignant tribute to the outsiders and underdogs that are the beating heart of this genre, the 30-year-old Ed Wood is a testament to Burton’s adoration of classic horror – an approach that only makes MaXXXine‘s themes seem even more meaningful.

Source: Reddit