MaXXXine, Pearl, and X: Explaining the connection between Mia Goth’s characters

October 19, 2024

MaXXXine, Pearl, and X: Explaining the connection between Mia Goth's characters

As a seasoned horror enthusiast with a penchant for unraveling cinematic mysteries and appreciating the intricacies of character development, I must say that Ti West’s X trilogy is an absolute masterclass in storytelling and performance. Mia Goth’s dual role as Pearl Douglas and Maxine Minx is nothing short of mesmerizing, leaving audiences captivated by their intertwining lives and the eerie connection between them.

Maxxxine” marks the third installment in Ti West’s critically-acclaimed “X” horror series, and from October 18, it will become available for streaming on Max. This means that a multitude of new fans and viewers who missed its theatrical release will soon get to experience this film.

It’s likely that a good number of viewers will watch the movie MaXXXine, even if they haven’t seen the earlier films in the trilogy – namely, X and its prequel Pearl. While many recognize Mia Goth as the lead actress across all three movies, there seems to be a bit of confusion about the characters she portrays.

Essentially, the story Goth focuses on just two characters: Pearl and Maxine Minx, although it might get puzzling since young!Pearl and Maxine are intended to resemble each other closely. Interestingly, the actor portrays an older version of Pearl too, who torments Maxine and her group in the initial movie of the trilogy.

MaXXXine, Pearl, and X: Explaining the connection between Mia Goth's characters

Pearl Douglas

In the novel X, we’re introduced to Pearl who resides in Texas during 1979. At this stage of her life, Pearl is around 70-80 years old and married to Howard Douglas. They share their days on a homestead that was once Pearl’s childhood and young adult home.

In the movie titled “X”, Mia Goth portrays not only the film’s antagonist, Maxine, but also its protagonist, Pearl. This means that during scenes where Maxine and Pearl clash, it is actually Mia Goth acting against herself, with Pearl wearing prosthetics and heavy makeup. The tragic outcome is that Pearl and Howard end up killing all of Maxine’s friends, leaving Maxine as the lone survivor.

The film titled “Pearl” serves as a precursor to “X,” taking place in the year 1918. At this stage in her life, Pearl is a young woman, either in her late teens or early twenties. In the 2022 movie, Goth assumes the role of the youthful version of Pearl.

MaXXXine, Pearl, and X: Explaining the connection between Mia Goth's characters

Maxine Minx

Goth portrays Pearl throughout both phases of her life, and she takes on roles as Maxine in ‘X’ and the latest film ‘MaXXXine’. Following the tragic events of ‘X’, Maxine is the sole survivor of the massacre at the Texas farmhouse, yet she remains undeterred in her pursuit of stardom.

The movie “MaXXXine” is set in 1985 and follows Maxine’s journey in Los Angeles as she chases her dreams of becoming a star, transitioning from the adult film industry to mainstream Hollywood. Goth portrays the older Maxine we encounter in the movie, while Pearl appears in some flashback scenes.

Are Maxine and Pearl the same person? Are they related at all?

Maxine and Pearl might look remarkably alike, but they don’t share a family bond. If it weren’t for Maxine visiting the Texas homestead, she would never have met Pearl. However, filmmaker Ti West has spoken about the double role and his choice to cast Goth in both parts. They aren’t one individual, yet they exhibit similar desires and characteristics.

In a chat with Letterboxd, I shared that I’ve always seen Pearl and Maxine as two distinct personalities, yet they feel like one and the same to me.

In a recent chat, I found myself drawn to West’s insights about the bond between Maxine and Pearl. He suggested that this relationship offers a glimpse into what Maxine’s life might become if she were to follow Pearl’s footsteps. The striking resemblances between them are the reason why Pearl seems so invested in Maxine and her companions, right from the first film.

Furthermore, they both share a recurring phrase that mirrors each other. Maxine frequently expresses, “I won’t settle for a life I don’t deserve,” while Pearl is renowned for her “I’m a star” moment. Beyond their physical similarities, there exists a deep bond between these two women.

MaXXXine is now streaming on Max.

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2024-10-19 21:25