Christopher Nolan is thought of as one of the greatest filmmakers of the 21st century. He's told stories about superheroes, magicians and brilliant scientists and, more recently he dazzled audiences with The Odyssey. But, what sets him apart from his contemporaries? Well, there’s a Robert Pattinson story that Mia Goth told that speaks to one reason why Nolan is the GOAT.

The Odyssey has indisputably been one of the best 2026 movie releases. Not only is it another technical achievement for the director, it’s also recently become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time. Cast member Mia Goth's Robert Pattinson story may indeed shed some light on why the filmmaker manages to get the best out of his collaborators:

Mia Goth played a disloyal maid to Penelope, Melantho, in The Odyssey. She recalled that one moment on set while speaking to British Vogue. Per the actress, during the movie's shoot she watched once as her co-star went up to Nolan and asked his director something about his performance. Rather than giving Pattinson the answer to his question, he communicated his trust to the actor, calling it his “department”.

It’s a great story, because too often we hear about a director’s notes to actors about how to play a scene. And sure, actors might need this in some cases but, sometimes, it’s perhaps important that they also own their abilities and make their own choices. Pattinson was hired by Nolan because he knew he could play the nasty role of Antinous to his liking, and the actor crushed it.

Pattinson and Nolan first worked together on Tenet. Their partnership came out of Nolan calling the actor to fly out to Los Angeles to meet him. The pair had a three-hour conversation, but Pattinson had no idea what it was for until the last couple minutes of the meeting. Interestingly, with Odyssey, Pattinson was the sprawling cast who actually asked Nolan to read the script before saying “yes.”

Aside from this anecdote, there’s plenty of other ways you could contrast Nolan sets from typical ones. He doesn’t allow cell phones on his sets, and you won't see many people sitting in chairs to keep the momentum of the shoot moving. He’s also very passionate about shooting on film and IMAX and tries his best to film as much of his movies as possible in-camera and practically, rather than relying on CGI.

This reputation has made Christopher Nolan one of the most respected filmmakers in Hollywood. No wonder there seems to be an influx of stories like this from great actors about why they love working with him.

I don’t know about you, but it feels like The Force is particularly strong with the next upcoming Star Wars movie, Starfighter. I say this because it feels like it has the power to change the tides for theatrical Star Wars films if it does well. And its writer just said something about it that’s making me feel like I’m listening to one of John Williams’ wonderful Star Wars scores.

Starfighter was written by Jonathan Tropper, who made The Adam Project with Shawn Levy, along with recent Apple TV hits like Your Friends & Neighbors and Lucky. Here’s what he just said about making his Star Wars movie:

Praise the movie gods, we’re finally getting a Star Wars movie without any Skywalker connections! Look, of course I love all that mythology, and my ears instinctively perked up when I heard the theories about Ryan Gosling’s character being a Skywalker. But I’ve been wanting to see a Star Wars movie for a long time without much or any story connections to the originals, prequels or sequels. I just want to see a filmmaker do their own thing within the universe!

Shawn Levy has previously said Starfighter would be “standalone,” but there’s just something about also getting this information from the person who actually wrote it. The writer’s words to Deadline have me more optimistic for the upcoming movie, but there’s also a sense of mystery and danger to it. What does an original Star Wars movie look like?

From what we know, Gosling will play the role of Kade Auberon, who just happens to have the fastest starship in the galaxy, a G17 Imperial Reaper, in his garage. During D23, fans got to see a peek at the movie and a look at a very cool jacket Kade wears in the film.

Plot details regarding Kade’s origins and the past that led him to have the ship in his hands are being kept hidden, but we know he’ll be going on a big adventure with a teenage character played by Flynn Gray. Also among the cast are Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings and Amy Adams.

The franchise will officially be 50 years old when Starfighter comes out on May 28 on the 2027 movie schedule. I don’t expect to feel the way it must have felt to see the franchise for the first time, but I hope there’s something about it that gives the franchise some sheen to it that I’ve been missing.

It’s uncomfortable saying anything negative about The Odyssey right now. In an age of mediocre sequels and uninspired live action adaptations, it feels necessary to exclusively put good vibes into the universe about a big budget event film with high art aspirations that’s doing its own thing. Most of us want more movies like it, and because of that desire, it’s more comfortable to just tell people, “The Odyssey is great! Go see it.”

The truth, however, is that The Odyssey is not great. It’s merely good, and the reason why it’s a step below great is because it has a major side character problem. More specifically, it’s filled with dozens of disposable side characters with one-note personalities who are merely there to advance the plot.

It’s Mostly A Problem Of Structure

I know The Odyssey is a long movie, but even for a long movie, a lot of stuff happens. We get the Trojan Horse and the destruction that comes afterwards. We get the bit with the cyclops, the bit with the sirens and the bit with Scylla and Charybids. There’s an extended sequence with Calypso and the Lotus Flowers. There’s the cattle of Helios and the entire fallout from that. There’s the stuff with Circe and Odysseus’ men and then the stuff with Circe and Odysseus himself. There’s the scene where he meets with the soldiers who have died, and the scene where they have to escape the man-eating giants.

And that’s just the stuff involving Odysseus while he’s on his extended adventure. We also get a parallel plot that runs throughout the movie that involves his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. She has to fend off the suitors who want to marry her and take her place, and Telemachus goes on his own side quest to Sparta to meet with Menelaus and try to figure out if his father is really dead.

Altogether, it’s too much plot for a single movie. It would have been an impossible task to get through all of this in three hours without abridging and trying to move through everything with a brisk momentum.

But That Doesn’t Change The Fact That These Side Characters Are Not Good

Most of The Odyssey’s runtime follows Odysseus’ quest to get home alongside his men. Unfortunately, we spend almost no time with those actual men at all. There are a few scenes of plot-driven banter and minor character development between Matt Damon’s Odysseus and Himesh Patel’s Eurylochus, but there’s nothing particularly memorable or noteworthy about their relationship.

They don’t have a fun rapport or any distinct conversations. And we get almost nothing from anyone else, apart from occasional reaction shots and maybe the odd bit of dialogue here or there. They have no quirks, eccentricities or memorable facets to their personalities. They’re just around to move the plot along.

Unfortunately, that’s a recurring theme with most of the characters in the movie, even the ones that should stand out. Take Charlize Theron’s Calypso. Odysseus spends years eating the Lotus Flowers and living with her on the island, but for the sake of runtime, we’re really just told about it. We don’t see them spending any real time together, and she’s not even given a fully developed personality. Theron has been nominated for three Oscars and has a long track record of doing really weird and memorable things with many of her characters, and yet, she feels so subdued here.

You could go down the list and say the same thing for side character after side character. Zendaya's Athena, Jon Bernthal’s Menelaus, Lupita Nyong’o’s Helen Of Troy and Mia Goth’s maid servant, are all, in theory, key characters played by acclaimed actors who should have a memorable impact on the movie, and instead, they’re just kind of there. Sometimes they deliver really emotional and weighty dialogue, but since we’re not given time to get to know their characters, they just feel like words moving along the plot.

I can’t imagine anyone leaving The Odyssey and saying, ‘you know what side character I really loved?’ Even the ones who are in the movie for a substantial amount of time feel so shallow and without. Robert Pattinson is, I guess, trying to be a little quirky with his portrayal of Antinous, who is the stand-in for the suitors that we see the most, but he’s still ultimately a stock villain from the sleazy handbook.

Samantha Morton’s Circe and John Leguizamo’s Eumaeus are getting a bit of positive buzz, but in my opinion, they still feel semi-neutered or at least like unrealized potential. Morton is in the movie for like fifteen minutes, maybe, and chooses to go a bit more understated than the set buzz had me believe, and almost all of Leguizamo’s scenes are just an old man getting picked on and looking downtrodden (apart from that wild puppy scene).

It’s A Missed Opportunity

Once again, none of this is to say The Odyssey is a bad movie or not worth your time. It’s a good movie that is worth your time. You should go see it because it’s (for the most part) an achievement in what’s possible and has a ton of scenes that work really well. There’s so much about the film that’s worth praising, but none of it has to do with character development, which is mediocre at best for Damon's Odysseus, as well as the other two leads Anne Hathaway (who makes the most of her one-note widow) and Tom Holland (who is decent as the one-note meek son).

I don’t know how Nolan could have possibly developed all these characters in three hours, but ultimately, he picked this story and this format. Maybe it should have been two movies. Maybe it should have been a miniseries. I don’t know what the answer was, but I think we should be honest that the path he picked has obvious limitations.

It sucks that the sirens were a three minute afterthought because there wasn’t time to develop their characters. It sucks that we didn’t get more from Theron or Bernthal or Nyong’o. It sucks that Morton’s Circe was only around for like ninety seconds before she showed her true intentions. All of these characters could have been the centerpiece of entire movies or episodes or at least hour long chunks. Instead, they’re underdeveloped. Instead, they’re part of a side character problem that can’t be overlooked.

Questions still remain more than a month after Shia LaBeouf’s arrest in New Orleans amid a multi-day, Mardi Gras bar crawl. LaBeouf is currently out on bail, but it remains to be seen just what kind of steps he might take to create change in his personal life. Someone who’s a part of that life is Mia Goth, who is LaBeouf’s former partner and the mother of his child. In the aftermath of LaBeouf’s latest arrest, there were rumors about Goth’s feelings on LaBeouf and, now, a source is sharing claims about how she’s handling everything.

Shia LaBeouf (39) and Mia Goth (32) were romantically involved for quite some time before parting ways on that front. Throughout that time, the pair were also private and didn’t speak publicly about the specifics of their relationship. So, as of this writing, Goth has not publicly addressed the situation revolving around her ex. An insider for People alleges, however, that the British actress is currently very cognizant of what’s going on with LaBeouf. However, Goth’s focus allegedly remains in two areas:

Goth and LaBeouf share three-year-old daughter Isabel and have apparently been working to co-parent. That latter point was mentioned by LaBeouf during his viral interview on Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan, at which point the Pieces of a Woman actor addressed his incident in NOLA. At a point during the conversation LaBeouf also shouted out Goth for purportedly having grace as he dealt with his legal issues. On that note, People’s source dropped some claims about Goth’s current feelings on LaBeouf:

LaBeouf and Goth reportedly met while filming Nymphomaniac in 2012 and later became an item. By the fall of 2016, marriage rumors swirled around the pair, as insiders claimed they’d gotten married in Las Vegas, with LaBeouf later saying the union was legal. The celebrity couple went through several breakups and reconciliations in the years that followed but were together amid Goth’s pregnancy and subsequent birth of their child in 2022. LaBeouf recently made it clear, though, that he and Goth are no longer together.

Back in February, Shia LaBeouf was specifically arrested after getting in an altercation with several men after he allegedly yelled homophobic comments at them. Aside from being taken into custody, LaBeouf also had to be taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries. The Honey Boy star was charged with two counts of simple battery, and another warrant was later issued for him in relation to another victim. He was subsequently ordered to pay a $100,00 bond and was ordered to go to rehab.

LaBeouf – who previously sought out-patient treatment – told Callaghan that he didn’t believe rehab was the solution for him. Instead, he attributed his problems to a “small-man complex” and not a struggle with sobriety. That aside, though, it’s been alleged that LaBeouf’s friends are worried about him and that his financial situation looks bleak. One source even claimed Mel Gibson wanted to provide support to the Transformers veteran.

Those various claims, however, should be taken with a grain of salt, and the same is true of the comments about Mia Goth. Considering that the Frankenstein star keeps her personal business close to the vest, it’s hard to say with certainty exactly what she’s feeling as her ex deals with his issues.

Since Shia LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans in February, reports have been swirling around him. Insiders have dropped claims regarding not only the 39-year-old actor’s legal situation but the ramifications it’s supposedly having on his personal life as well. As part of that, there have been reports regarding the state of LaBeouf’s relationship with his wife, actress Mia Goth (32). While Goth herself hasn’t publicly acknowledged where she stands with LaBeouf, the Honey Boy actor himself is now sharing details on that front.

In the aftermath of LaBeouf’s arrest, it was reported that Mia Goth allegedly wanted her partner to seek help by way of rehab. Those claims were brought up when LaBeouf spoke about his arrest on Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan (as seen on YouTube). Said reports have suggested that Goth and LaBeouf – who share a three-year-old daughter – haven’t been on solid footing lately. When questioned about those rumors, LaBeouf shared considerable praise for Goth:

Mia Goth and Shia LaBeouf met back in 2012 while filming Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac, and, in October 2016, it was reported that the two married in Las Vegas. While there were initially conflicting reports about the validity of the marriage, LaBeouf eventually clarified that they were legally wed. By 2018, the pair split up, with the intention of divorcing, though they reconciled by 2022. Around that same time, it was also reported that Goth was pregnant with the couple’s first child, who was born in March 2022.

Historically, both LaBeouf and Goth have been relatively private when it comes to the details of their relationship. Following the Transformers alum’s arrest, it was reported that he and Goth were once again divorcing. LaBeouf confirmed to Callaghan that he and Goth had indeed parted ways romantically yet, when describing their dynamic, he painted a picture in stark contrast with the reports that have surfaced. When Callaghan asked LaBeouf if he was looking to repair that relationship, he said:

Earlier in the interview, Shia LaBeouf admitted to having “failed” to make his marriage work. He, nevertheless, further emphasized that he and Goth don’t have in-depth conversations about “shared custody” and that they’re building a co-parenting dynamic that works for them. To that point, LaBeouf also added:

More immediately, though, LaBeouf is still contending with the fallout from the situation in New Orleans. In February, LaBeouf embarked upon a multi-day bar crawl in NOLA amid Mardi Gras and was arrested after getting into a fight with several other men and charged with two counts of simple battery. It was reported that, at the time, LaBeouf yelled homophobic slurs before he started hitting the men. While speaking to Callaghan, LaBeouf – who was also later treated for injuries at a hospital – seemingly suggested the men were rubbing up against him against his will. Still, the Tax Collector star said he “10,000 percent” took accountability for what happened.

While he appeared in court last week, LaBeouf was ordered to pay a $100,000 bond, which he said was taken care of by unknown parties. Judge Simone Levine also ordered LaBeouf to spend time in rehab, though he said to Callaghan that he didn’t believe rehab (where he’s spent time before) would help him following this particular situation. Also, this weekend, LaBeouf was arrested in NOLA again on a battery charge, which may or may not be linked to an additional warrant raised against him.

It’s been alleged throughout this situation that Mia Goth only wants what’s best for Shia LaBeouf (and that even Mel Gibson supposedly wants to help). As of this writing, LaBeouf has yet to speak out on his latest arrest as he addressed the initial one.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is constantly expanding, thanks to exciting new projects hitting theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. But a few upcoming Marvel movies have had an especially long development process, especially Mahershala Ali's Blade. But despite how exciting that title is, it's been delayed a number of times. Luckily actor Mia Goth spoke about what's going on behind the scenes.

What we know about Blade is super limited, but fans are hyped to see the vampire superhero finally appear in the MCU in live-action. Despite Ali having a voice cameo in Eternals and the character appearing in Marvel Zombies, the next Blade movie hasn't shown any signs of picking up speed. Goth appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, where she shared what's going on with the Marvel flick. She offered:

That was a surprisingly honest answer. While it seems like Marvel is still interested in giving Blade his own solo movie, not even Mia Goth knows what's really happening behind the closed doors of the studio. But she seems to be passionate about eventually making her MCU debut in the long gestating blockbuster.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will recall how long the Blade movie has been stuck in the development stage. The project was first announced back in 2019, with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali attached to play the title character. Unfortunately it's been hit with a ton of setbacks since.

So how much has Goth actually gotten involved in Blade so far? The star of Frankenstein (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription) offered some details about how she landed her mysterious role as Lilith, saying:

Well, I'm fascinated. Not only did Mia Goth audition and land her role opposite Mahershala Ali, but she was even fitted for wigs and costumes by the Marvel designers in Atlanta. This makes Blade's years-long delays even more noticeable; exactly what went wrong here?

Hopefully the Blade movie actually comes together one day, and we get some good news sooner rather than later. The next MCU movie hitting theaters is Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list.

SPOILERS are ahead for the ending of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, now streaming with a Netflix subscription.

Making any one of the upcoming book-to-screen adaptations has to be a nail-biting process, because when you convert a piece of literature into a different medium, there’s always something lost along the way. But, once in a while, a creative team knocks it out of the park, and it feels like you actually got something new from a book. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is one of those rare movies to do so. Not only because it nails the spirit of Mary Shelley’s classic work, but in the way it builds on it, too.

Frankenstein is one of those books that will be adapted over and over for every generation. So while you can certainly try to nail it word-for-word, I’m overjoyed that Guillermo del Toro, a true master of horror and fantasy, found a poignant way to share his own reading of the iconic monster story by making some changes to the ending of the story. Let’s break it down.

What Happens At The End Of The Frankenstein Book

I’ll never forget the first time I read Frankenstein in high school. At the time, I had no idea one of the most famous monsters in pop culture started as a novel that was written by a 19-year-old woman in 1818. I was floored by the novel, and it has remained one of my favorite books of all time since.

In the book, Frankenstein ends with the death of Victor Frankenstein after his wife, Elizabeth, who was his childhood friend-turned-lover, is killed at the hands of the monster he created. A few days later, his father, whom he’s only just reunited with, dies as well, seemingly as a reaction to the horror of his son's tragedies. Victor is vengeful and decides not to rest until he’s killed his murderous creation. This leads Victor to the snowy North, where he meets a man named Walton, who captains a North Pole-bound ship. Victor tells him the story of how he created a monster out of the various limbs of cadavers stunned by electricity.

Victor dies not long after telling Walton his story. Several days later, Walton finds the monster on the ship crying over the dead body of Victor, before he laments about the regrets in his life. The book ends with the monster leaving Walton’s ship hopeless and fully intending to commit suicide because he has nothing left, and is truly alone in the world. The ending really drives home Shelley’s message that companionship is absolutely key to our survival, and how, when both Victor and the monster were cast out (in their ways) from society, they each met melancholic ends.

What Happens At The End Of Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein

Writer/director Guillermo del Toro's version frames the whole story around Victor in his final days, telling his story to Walton on his ship up North, like the book. However, before we get to Victor’s death, there are a few major changes to note. For one, in the movie, Elizabeth is the fiancée of his younger brother, William, and pretty much hates Victor’s guts from the beginning. The movie gives Elizabeth more to do because she actually bonds with the monster and wants to love and protect him. In Del Toro’s reading, I think she sees herself in the monster and wishes for them both to be free, rather than the possessions that they are treated like by Victor.

Jacob Elordi’s monster, who was originally going to be played by Andrew Garfield, is a much gentler creature than the monster in the book, with a much smaller kill count. In the movie, it’s Victor who actually kills Elizabeth by accident on her wedding night while trying to shoot his creation, and his brother dies soon after in the commotion. Following this incident, Victor is vengeful of the monster, but because he has nothing left to live for, he feels he must kill him. (But this version of the creature seems invincible). His creation is equally as angry at him and stalks him to the North.

When Victor and the monster reunite on the ship, Victor is not yet dead, and when they are together, he asks his creation for forgiveness. As Victor says in the movie:

The movie concludes with the creature forgiving Victor as he takes his last breath. He kisses him on the head, and leaves the ship, not without helping the crew get unstuck from an iceberg they’ve run into, and reveling in watching a sunrise as the score gorgeously wells (and I know I started tearing up).

Why I Think I Like The Movie's Ending Better

Obviously, between the two, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a lot more hopeful and perhaps not as realistic. But I absolutely love the sentiment behind it, because it frames Victor and his creation as father and son, and the message there is beautiful. By the end of the movie, we see Victor as this flawed father, who was traumatized by his own father’s inability to save his beloved mother (as shown at the beginning of the movie), and then took his trauma into his own “fatherhood” of sorts and created the creature. But, rather than holding the anger he had toward Victor for putting him into the world and treating him poorly, he’s able to set himself free by forgiving him in the end, and taking his advice to “live.”

Obviously, Mary Shelley’s original story is absolutely perfect –no notes, and I would never want to change the original vision she had for the story. But, when it comes to this adaptation by del Toro, I’m so happy he ended the movie at this place of optimism and the creature earning this sense of gratitude for what it means to be human from Victor. It made me think differently about Frankenstein’s themes about humanity in terms of family dynamics I’d never gathered before. This is one of those 2025 movie releases I won’t forget anytime soon.

When it comes to upcoming horror movies on the way, I’ve been ecstatic for Guillermo Del Toro’s take on Frankenstein all year. So much so that the idea of buying a ticket to see it on the big screen is a lot more interesting to me than watching it with my Netflix subscription. But, when it came time to purchase my movie tickets to see the new film, I was sorely disappointed with how difficult it was to nab seats to a showing. Let’s talk about it.

Whoa, Finding Tickets To See Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein Is Rough

Now, I’m speaking as someone who lives in the movie capital of the world, Los Angeles, California, which often makes it easier to get tickets to movies not playing as widely in other markets, and I had a rough time. Right now, the movie is only playing at four theaters within ten miles of me, all of which are independent / arthouse cinemas. While I initially tried to get tickets for the first few days it was released (this past weekend), of course, many of the showings were already packed. I settled on getting tickets for this Monday evening.

I took a quick peek at a variety of locations across the United States, and it was confirmed to me how limited the engagement this movie is having in Cineplexes for the next few weeks before arriving on streaming on November 7. Whether you live in a city or a suburb, you’re probably going to have to get out of your way to a degree to see the latest book adaptation based on Mary Shelley’s masterpiece.

This is wild to me, not only because Del Toro is one of the most celebrated filmmakers of our time, but because it stars so many big-name actors and a beloved title that would be very marketable to wider audiences.

Why It’s So Hard To Get Tickets To See It Before It Hits Netflix

Now, this is not completely surprising. Netflix and movie theater exhibitors have had a pretty tumultuous history in recent years, since the streaming service won’t give them the 30 to 90-day exclusivity that theaters insist on. Most Netflix movies are lucky to get very small theatrical windows, and usually only do so if the studio is doing an awards season push.

Netflix’s own CEO, Ted Sarandos, called theatrical movie releases an “outdated concept” earlier this year, and the studio’s co-CEO, Reed Hastings, famously said the company left “lots” of money on the table when they put Knives Out sequel Glass Onion in cineplexes for just a week to great success. Recently, Netflix also put KPop Demon Hunters in a lot more theaters than Frankenstein is getting for a single weekend after its viral success, and it opened at No. 1.

It all seems to come down to the fact that Netflix wants its movies to drive up subscriber numbers and is not that interested in the theatrical experience. But, when it comes to a release like Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, I simply wish that it were available to more audiences to catch it on the big screen.

Marvel’s Blade may soon reach the point where its existence seems less likely and less realistic than the existence of actual vampires, given just how long it’s taking to bring the horror-leaning character into MCU’s Phase 6 projects. After reports pointed to Marvel execs showing less urgency for Blade, hopes for Mahershala Ali’s arrival as the daywalker sank arguably lower than ever. But wait! There’s some actual optimism to shine a light on! (Not direct sunlight, though. Never that.)

MaXXXine and Infinity Pool co-star Mia Goth was announced as part of Blade’s cast back in April 2023, not long before the WGA strike put all of Hollywood on pause, and while some details have surfaced about her character from a no-longer-viable version of the screenplay, not much else is known about Goth’s involvement. But it doesn’t sound like she’s given up hope or interest, as she told ELLE while promoting Guillermo del Toro’s critic-splitting Frankenstein that she is indeed still attached, and that she supports the reason for the extended delay, saying:

Assuming someone actually does get it right to the point where Kevin Feige & Co. actually give the project the green light to film, I will be able to agree with the notion that taking this long is a net positive. But if nothing ever comes of this, will that make all the waiting worth it? I don't necessarily think so.

That said, I can't hate on Mia Goth keeping the good feelings going by addressing the project as if it's something that will definitely still happen, as opposed to being a likely impossibility. Even Mahershala Ali has made it sound like nobody ever talks to him about it, and he's the one dude who should be hearing back from everyone.

Then again, maybe this isn't entirely a case of good-natured positivity, so much as a case of Mia Goth echoing her own past comments on the unrealized project. Here's what she told Deadline in June 2024:

Whether or not we'll see her appear in any upcoming superhero movies, Mia Goth is making good on her past comments to showcase her talents in projects outside her "scream queen" range, even counting her role in Frankenstein, which is not being touted as a horror movie, but as more of an emotional drama. She's also joining the Star Wars universe for Ryan Gosling's Starfighter movie, which will likely rocket her star power to new levels, while also keeping her in close company with Marvel's parent company Disney, just in case anyone ever does get Blade up and running.

For now, the movie remains in creative limbo, which Delroy Lindo spoke about earlier in 2025, four years after he was first cast in the movie. He told Collider that despite everything going in a forward direction early on in the project, things "went off the rails" soon after, leading to various changes in director and more.

Goth may be too famous to star in an MCU film before much longer, so here's hoping everyone behind the scenes realizes how high the stakes are (about chest-level) and doubles down on getting it all figured out.

Mia Goth has firmly established herself as a modern scream queen with her roles in Suspiria, A24’s X series and more, but don’t count her out of the celebrity fashion game either. The release of her new movie, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, is approaching on the 2025 movie calendar, and she recently promoted it at the London Film Festival. All eyes were likely on her gorgeous sheer dress, but I couldn’t help but notice the darker hair she was sporting.

The stars of the upcoming horror movie — which will see a limited release in theaters before hitting the Netflix schedule next month — hit the red carpet on Monday at the BFI London Film Festival, where Frankenstein was one of the festival’s headline galas. Mia Goth was a head-turner in her purple see-through gown, which showed off her black panties and stunning figure.

She accessorized the look with a diamond bracelet, ring and earrings, along with black sandals. Her dark hair was styled in an elegant updo, with long bangs framing her face. While her tresses were pinned up, it was obvious that the actress was showing off a darker color than fans are used to.

Mia Goth has mixed it up when it comes to hair color, and fans are used to seeing her as a blonde. This dark shade is perfect for spooky season, and it’s even darker than what we saw from her when she reunited with the Frankenstein director and cast at last month’s Toronto International Film Festival:

The actress is set to portray Elizabeth Lavenza in Guillermo del Toro’s monster movie remake alongside Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Felix Dammerer as Victor’s younger brother William, and Jacob Elordi, who spent 10 hours in the makeup chair to transform into the Creature. As in the X trilogy — some of A24’s best horror flicks — we’ll reportedly see her in more than one role in the movie.

This book-to-screen adaptation of the Mary Shelley classic is, of course, being billed as a horror movie to those who will stream it with their Netflix subscription, but Mia Goth says it’s so much more than that.

This is a passion project for Guillermo del Toro that he’s been thinking about since he was 10 years old, Mia Goth has said, and involves complicated family dynamics, forgiveness, redemption, and comes with a lot of heart. You definitely get hints of that in Frankenstein’s epic trailer — where we can also see the actress' light reddish-brown hair.

This isn’t the only movie the Infinity Pool actress has in the works. She’ll also appear in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey when it hits the 2026 movie calendar next summer, and she’s set to join Ryan Gosling in Star Wars: Starfighter, which is coming in 2027. That gives us a lot of opportunities to see what stunning looks she pulls off on future red carpets, and you know fans will be keeping an eye on that hair color too.

Now that fall is fully here, headlines about the latest Ghostface installment and other ominous foes have audiences ready to watch some slashers. Among this season’s class of upcoming horror movies stands the highly anticipated and long awaited Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. His take on the book to screen adaptation of the Mary Shelley classic has been labeled–for some–as the must see thriller. But according to one of the movie’s stars, it may subvert expectations.

After the release of the epic Frankenstein trailer, the hype for the Academy Award winner’s interpretation has only heightened. Mia Goth, who plays Elizabeth Lavenza, shared a bit more about Toro’s vision during the LA red carpet premiere with Deadline. The rising scream queen revealed she nor Toro sees his Frankenstein as a scary movie. Unlike many other modern-day versions, she equated it to a complicated familial piece with layers and has been a lifelong project for him:

I may be an oddball here, but I’m incredibly more motivated to seek this coming monster remake since it has a unique and reflective take on the original literature. With the 1818 story more focused on the social commentary of an outcast than the killings, I can only imagine where his goes. So overall, I guess hearing that Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation of the creature strays from the status quo shouldn’t be that surprising.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a little thrown off, too, especially to hear it advertised as a father/son story. But many present entries to the iconic ghastly gang’s catalogue do generally boast the more dynamic liberties whether its gore or relationship dynamics. Clearly, it’ll be an interesting watch in how he sets this classic stage. Truthfully I’ll be seeing this either way just because I’ve always adored Frankenstein and co.

Regardless of where all of us stand in our assumptions, we’ll have to wait and see just how we feel about this non-horror "family drama." Frankenstein is headed to select theaters October 17 and will have a subsequent release on the 2025 Netflix movie and TV schedule November 7. So, make sure to have a Netflix subscription ready later this fall for the Guillermo del Toro interpretation if you can’t catch it on the big screen.

Guillermo del Toro's best movies have a supernatural element to them, often featuring bright colors and fascinating creatures. That includes The Shape of Water, which won the Oscar for Best Picture back in 2018. Next is the upcoming book to screen adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The full trailer is here, including Jacob Elordi's transformation into The Creature. Well, sort of.

The public was previously treated to Frankenstein's teaser, but the clip shown above is the first full-length trailer. Guillermo del Toro called Elordi's creature beautiful, but one can't see why. Although we see him being stitched together and showing great feats of strength, his full appearance is being kept under wraps. Let's break down exactly what this footage is teasing for the upcoming horror movie, which will be heading to home in November for those with a Netflix subscription.

This trailer opens on narration from Elordi's Creature. While we still haven't seen a full look at his appearance, at least we can understand some of his POV. As we hear his voice, we're shown the ways in which Oscar Isaac's Victor Frankenstein put him together. There's a room full of cadavers, and we watch as he selects an eye ball and adds its to the being he's creating. He also watches in horror as it seemingly comes to life.

We're also introduced to Mia Goth's Elizabeth Lavenza, another famous character from Mary Shelley's beloved novel. The actress is a scream queen in her own right, and it should be interesting to see what she brings to this character. We can already see the soft spot she seemingly has for The Creature, as well as her stunning costumes.

There are some truly captivating shots in this trailer, including one where a fiery (alive) skeleton is shown. It looks like Victor might burn down his home in an attempt to kill The Creature. But I doubt that's going to work.

Speaking of Jacob Elordi's nameless character, he looks wildly powerful. While we'll have to wait to see more of his appearance, a clip shows him getting an action sequence, and even pushing a giant ship by hand. He's definitely not someone I'd like to meet in a dark alley.

This trailer arrived just in time for spooky season, and should help folks get into the spirit. Of course, I have to assume that I'm not the only one who expected to see a clearer version of Jacob Elordi's Creature in it. Alas, it looks like del Toro and the marketing team at Netflix are going to keep this under wraps until we get closer to Frankenstein's release. Hey, that's one way to help buoy excitement for the forthcoming horror flick.

All will be revealed when Frankenstein hits select theaters on October 17th, before coming to Netflix on November 7th as part of the 2025 movie release list.

After The Mandarloian & Grogu opens in theaters next May and ends the Star Wars cinematic dry spell that’s been in effect since The Rise of Skywalker was released at the end of 2019, Star Wars: Starfighter will be the next of the upcoming Star Wars movies. It was confirmed a few months ago that Ryan Gosling is leading this adventure set in a galaxy far, far away, and now a popular scream queen has been tapped to join him. Even better, I’m liking the reported details about the role she’s playing.

According to Jeff Sneider, Mia Goth, the lead actress of Ti West’s X film series, is coming aboard Star Wars: Starfighter. She’ll be playing the role that Mikey Madison was originally approached for, but she turned down. THR confirmed this casting news and added that Goth’s character is one of the “pursuers” who’s after the young nephew of Ryan Gosling’s character, and it’s up to him to protect the boy.

After gaining recognition for her roles in movies like A Cure for Wellness, Suspiria and Emma, Mia Goth scored her breakthrough from the aforementioned X movies, some of the better recent offerings from the horror genre. In 2022’s X, she played the dual role of Maxine Minx and Pearl Douglas, and she reprised Pearl the same-named prequel that same year, which she also co-wrote and executive produced. Then she reprised Maxine in 2024’s MaXXXine, as well as co-produced.

Although Star Wars: Starfighter is arguably the biggest movie Mia Goth has on the way, it’s by no means the only major motion picture she has lined up for the future. Later this year, Netflix subscription holders will be able to see her star opposite Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Then next year, she’ll be seen in the ensemble cast of Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey. As of June 2024, Goth was also still attached to Marvel’s Blade reboot, but it’s unclear if that’s still the case.

In addition to these alleged details about Mia Goth’s role in Star Wars: Starfighter, we also know that the movie is a standalone offering taking place roughly five years after The Rise of Skywalker. Shawn Levy is directing the feature and Jonathan Tropper, who previously collaborated with Levy on The Adam Project, is writing the script. I’m eager to see how Goth does playing one of the baddies giving Ryan Gosling’s character trouble in Starfighter, though needless to say she’ll be a more family-friendly antagonist compared to her time as Pearl.

Star Wars: Starfighter hits theaters on May 28, 2027. While we wait for more news about its development, don’t forget you can use your Disney+ subscription to revisit all the Star Wars franchise’s existing movies and TV shows at your convenience.

Some of the most extraordinary performances in movie or TV history have seen the actor completely disappear into a role, not only changing their appearance but also adopting a voice almost entirely different from their own. Take a look at some of the most impressive voice alterations that an actor took on to perfect their unique portrayal of a now iconic character (or characters).

Robert De Niro (Cape Fear)

One thing that makes the 1991 remake of Cape Fear one of the most amusing Martin Scorsese/Robert De Niro collaborations is the actor's approach to playing Max Cady. The Academy Award-winning Italian-American dons a thick, over-the-top Southern accent but is still no less chilling as the sadistic, recently released convict seeking revenge on the defense attorney (Nick Nolte) who put him away.

Lupita Nyong'o (Us)

One of the scariest modern horror movie villains is Red (Lupita Nyong'o) from writer and director Jordan Peele's 2019 sophomore feature, Us. The Academy Award winner brilliantly differentiates the vengeful, "tethered" person from her above-ground double, Adelaide, and gives her an even more unsettling presence, with a raspy voice inspired by a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, which inhibits airflow and is commonly a symptom of traumatic experiences.

Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)

As he would with any other role, Daniel Day-Lewis went to great lengths to become the sixteenth President of the United States for his Oscar-winning performance in Steven Spielberg's 2012 biopic, Lincoln. He even made sure to match Honest Abe's voice, which was high-pitched and reedy (according to the Library of Congress), as opposed to the low bellow many previous portrayals mistakenly attempted.

Mel Blanc (Looney Tunes)

To this day, it is almost shocking to learn that most of the original Looney Tunes characters were brought to life by just one actor. Until he passed away in 1989, Mel Blanc provided the diverse voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and plenty more favorites under the Warner Bros. animation umbrella.

Austin Butler (Elvis)

The key to portraying Elvis Presley is nailing his distinct Southern drawl, which Austin Butler went to great lengths to perfect when he was cast as the influential musician in Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic. The work he put into the voice seemed to have a lasting effect on the actor, whom audiences could not help but notice continued to speak in the same accent during public appearances.

Seth MacFarlane (Various)

In addition to being one of the creative forces behind two of TV's longest-running hit animated shows for grown-ups, Seth MacFarlane is also responsible for bringing many of their most important characters to life. He voices Peter, Stewie, and Quagmire on Family Guy and plays Stan and Roger on American Dad – all of whom require him to be completely unrecognizable, while Family Guy's Brian is no different from his real voice.

Catherine O’Hara (Schitt's Creek)

What makes Moira Rose (Catherine O'Hara) one of the funniest characters on Schitt's Creek is the way she pronounces certain words with her over-the-top, posh accent. Classic examples include "baby" (beh-beh) and "enchiladas" (ahn-chuh-lah-dahs).

Jim Carrey (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

It is still sometimes hard to believe that it is Jim Carrey playing the title role in Ron Howard's live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas from 2000. Not only is he covered head-to-toe with green skin and matching fur in the Christmas movie classic but the comedic mastermind disguises his voice with an accent that earned comparisons to Sean Connery, as he told Entertainment Weekly.

Eddie Murphy (Coming To America)

Eddie Murphy started a career staple of playing multiple roles in the same movie with 1988's Coming to America. He dons an African accent to play Prince Akeem and brings his voice to higher octaves as Randy Watson and Clarence, but he undergoes the most intensive alteration of both his appearance and voice when playing elderly barber shop patron, Saul.

Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

The Dark Knight is a superhero movie that won Oscars for Sound Editing and for Heath Ledger's astonishing, transformative performance as The Joker. No matter how many times you watch Christopher Nolan's acclaimed 2008 sequel to Batman Begins, it is always shocking to hear that wheezy, menacing voice coming from the late Australian actor.

Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons)

If you have ever seen any of comedian Dan Castellaneta's live-action acting credits, it might shock you to learn that his most famous role is Homer Simpson. However, the Simpsons cast member provides the voice of plenty more characters than the infantile, Duff-swilling family man, including Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and Groundskeeper Willie.

Bill Skarsgård (Nosferatu)

Bill Skarsgård is no stranger to dramatically altering his appearance and his voice for the sake of scaring the living daylights out of audiences, having played Pennywise in back-to-back creepy clown movies, It and It Chapter Two. However, his transformation into Count Orlok for Robert Eggers' 2024 reimagining of Nosferatu was an even more challenging process, requiring a month-and-a-half of vocal training to perfect the vampire's dread-inducing growl.

Joaquin Phoenix (Walk The Line)

Joaquin Phoenix did all of his own singing when portraying Johnny Cash in James Mangold's acclaimed music biopic, 2005's Walk the Line. While appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien that year, the future Oscar winner told the late night talk show host that he worked with a dialect coach to replicate the Man in Black's deep baritone voice as authentically as possible.

Amanda Seyfried (The Dropout)

For her Emmy-winning performance on the Hulu original true crime miniseries, The Dropout, Amanda Seyfried had the challenge of imitating the infamous low voice of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder and CEO of the fraudulent blood-testing company Theranos.

Hugh Jackman (X-Men)

Many have been shocked to learn that Hugh Jackman is an Australian as his most famous role is the Canadian-native, Adamantium-clawed mutant, Wolverine. Of course, the Tony winner does more than just drop his natural accent for the X-Men movies but also incorporates a deep, nigh-animalistic growl.

Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

When Stephanie Beatriz debuted in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast, she used her natural, higher-tone voice to play Det. Rosa Diaz. However, over time, the character's voice became progressively deeper until the actor settled on a low, more gruff tone that better suited the cop's hard-edged exterior.

Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Trilogy)

To play the lead in Christopher Nolan's beloved live-action Batman movies, Christian Bale pulled double-duty on changing his voice. In addition to dropping his Welsh accent when appearing as Bruce Wayne, he adopted a gravelly, identity-concealing growl when patrolling Gotham as the Dark Knight.

Kristen Stewart (Spencer)

Kristen Stewart did more to earn her Academy Award nomination for portraying Princess Diana in the 2021 biopic, Spencer, than donning a blonde hairdo and an English accent. The actor revealed to Howard Stern that she went so far as to dramatically evolve her vocal inflection by opening her mouth more widely than she normally would and, as a result, practically altered her physical appearance in the film.

Phil LaMarr (The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius)

Prolific voice actor Phil LaMarr, in addition to his transformative characters as a MADtv cast member, has made himself unrecognizable for countless iconic animated roles, such as John "Green Lantern" Stewart on Justice League or the title hero of Samurai Jack. However, no blip on his resume is nearly as surprising as the recurring role of foreign exchange student Bolbi Stroganofsky on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

Mark Hamill (Batman: The Animated Series)

There are two different kinds of Mark Hamill fans. There are those who know the actor as Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars movies and then there are those who know him as The Joker on Batman: The Animated Series and many subsequent animated Batman movies. The voice he puts on for the role – a wonderful mix of comically over-the-top theatrics and scintillating intimidation – has been recognized as the definitive portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime in the eyes of many DC fans.

Robin Williams (Popeye)

Robin Williams proved that he was the perfect choice to lead director Robert Altman's live-action adaptation of the Popeye comic strip. He matched the brave, spinach-swilling sailor's fast-paced growl, as originated by voice actor Billy Costello, to a tee in the 1980 film.

Maggie Wheeler (Friends)

Maggie Wheeler stole the show from the Friends cast with her recurring role as Janice Hosenstein, who was famous for her signature catchphrase, "Oh. My. GAWWWWWD!" What sold the character was her thick, nasally Brooklyn accent, which the actor came up with when she auditioned to play the character, as she revealed to Access Hollywood.

Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom)

Idris Elba earned rave reviews for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the Oscar-nominated 2013 biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Being raised by West African immigrants helped the English-born actor develop an appropriate dialect to play the influential South African President, as he revealed to Oprah Winfrey.

Mia Goth (X)

Mia Goth played dual roles in Ti West's acclaimed A24 horror movie, 2022's X – both of which required her to conceal her mousy English accent. She spoke with a raspy Southern drawl as young aspiring starlet Maxine Minx and sounded similar, but significantly aged up, when playing homicidal elder, Pearl.

Megan Mullally (Will & Grace)

Megan Mullally absolutely earned her two Emmy Award wins for her committed performance as Karen Walker on the classic TV sitcom, Will & Grace. The key to the spoiled socialite's scene-stealing presence was her ear-piercing voice, which truly sounds nothing like the actor in real life.

Ana De Armas (Blonde)

Cuban-born actor Ana de Armas is known for having a strong accent, which she concealed in order to portray Marilyn Monroe in Blonde. Her commitment to matching the Hollywood icon's dialect in the 2022 Netflix original biopic would earn her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Billy West (Various)

Billy West could be called the Mel Blanc of his generation as he can claim to have played about as many memorable animated characters as the iconic voice actor behind much of the Looney Tunes line-up did. To list just a few of West's best-known credits, he was both of the title characters from The Ren & Stimpy Show, took over as Popeye at one time, led Futurama as Fry, and plenty more.

Nicole Kidman (Being The Ricardos)

Nicole Kidman's Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Lucille Ball in 2021's Being the Ricardos was achieved with more than just makeup. The actor shed her Australian accent and added a smokiness to match the I Love Lucy star's natural voice but was also challenged to imitate the more high-pitched tone of the comedy icon's onscreen alter ego.

Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory)

Dr. Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski-Wolowitz easily boasts one of the most impossibly high-pitched voices in sitcom history. However, The Big Bang Theory cast member Melissa Rauch actually sounds nothing like Howard Wolowitz's bride, yet maintained the façade convincingly for 10 seasons on the hit CBS comedy.

Chris Pratt (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)

Despite making "total sense" to the directors of Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, fans of the original Nintendo video game series had some initial hesitation over Chris Pratt's casting as the older Mario brother. However, the actor wisely avoided the plumber's stereotypical Italian dialect from the games in favor of a Brooklyn accent that effectively masked his natural voice.

Robert Pattinson (Mickey 17)

Robert Pattinson plays the title role of Bong Joon-ho's 2024 sci-fi comedy Mickey 17 with an entirely unrecognizable and, admittedly, kind of goofy voice. According to IndieWire, the English actor based the voice for his "expendable" character and his many clones off of comedian Steve-O.

Johnny Depp (Charlie And The Chocolate Factory)

Say what you want about Tim Burton's 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but you have to admit that Johnny Depp did try something amusing with the role of Willy Wonka. To play the eccentric chocolatier, he adopted a high-pitched wheeze that almost makes you question if it really is the same guy who played Capt. Jack Sparrow under that top hat.

Actors playing multiple roles in entertainment go back to the dawn of drama. Even the ancient Greeks did it. This is certainly true of the film era, where actors have been playing roles all the way back to the beginning. Sometimes it's as simple as playing twins, like Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin in Big Business, and sometimes it's more complex, like the great Peter Sellers playing three very different roles in Dr, Strangelove. In honor of those actors, here are some of our favorite examples of actors playing multiple roles in movies.

Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove

No list like this would be complete without the great Peter Sellers in his three fantastic performances in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Sellers plays the resourceful Captain Mandrake, the bumbling President of the United States, and the completely over-the-top Dr. Strangelove in the movie. Sellers was also supposed to play the character Major Kong, but injured himself on set and the the role went to Slim Pickens instead.

Kate Hudson - Alex & Emma

Films with stories within stories are often a good place to find actors playing multiple roles, as is the case with Kate Hudson in Alex & Emma. In the "real" story, Hudson plays Emma, a stenographer helping Alex (Luke Wilson) complete his novel. As Alex and Emma work on the story, viewers are taken inside the story of a novel where both Wilson and Hudson play characters in the novel. Hudson, in fact, plays four different versions of a nanny in the book.

Michael J. Fox - Back To The Future Part II

While nothing will ever live up to the original Back To The Future, Back To The Future Part II is still pretty fun. One of the things that make it so is Michael J. Fox playing Marty (of course), and his son Marty, Jr., and his daughter Marlene in the movie. Thomas F. Wilson, who plays Biff Tannen, also plays multiple roles in the movie as the various members of the Tannen family.

Jodie Comer - Free Guy

This one is a little bit of a fudge, because in Free Guy, Jodie Comer is playing her character and her character's avatar. So in some ways they are kind of, sort of the same character. Still, she plays the roles different and for that reason, she deserves to be on this list.

Rory Kinnear - Men

Men is an odd movie, but in a good way. Rory Kinnear is what makes it unique. On the surface, Kinnear plays the owner of an inn in a small town, but he also plays most of the rest of the men in the town, all of whom are pretty odd characters.

Lupita Nyong'o - Us

Jordan Peele's horror classic Us features all of the cast members playing both their main character and "Tethered" character with that excellent cast being led by Lupita Nyong'o, who plays Addy and Red. It would be fair to put any of the cast members on this list though, about 20 in total, but we don't want to make this whole list about Us, despite how great it is.

Paul Dano - There Will Be Blood

It'll come as no surprise that a few entries on this list are actors playing identical twins in a movie. We had to include Paul Dano as both Paul and Eli Sunday in There Will Be Blood because Dano's performance, especially as the preacher Eli, is transcendent. The final scene between Eli and Daniel (Daniel Day-Lewis) is one of the most intense scenes ever to appear in a film.

Scarlett Johansson - Astroid City

Director Wes Anderson's Astroid City has a movie within a movie telling the story of the movie. As such, and as you'd probably expect, there are a few actors playing both their "real life" characters and the actors playing them in the movie inside the movie. Scarlett Johansson plays both Midge Campbell and the actor playing Midege, Mercedes. Jason Schwartzman also plays two roles, as do Matt Dillon, Maya Hawke, and others.

George Burns - Oh, God! You Devil

The legendary George Burns played God in not one, but three movies in the Oh God series. In the third installment, he added another character, the Devil. The best scene in the movie comes when God and the Devil play a game of poker for the soul of Bobby Shelton, played by Ted Wass.

Bette Midler And Lily Tomlin - Big Business

Movies about twins separated at birth have been popular in Hollywood forever, but in 1988, director Jim Abrahams upped the ante with two sets of twins separated at birth. Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler are two sets of sisters who discover they were separated from their identical twin. It's a decent movie that hasn't really been remembered by many movie fans.

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

Of course, we had to include Eddie Murphy on this list! There are multiple movies where the great comedian plays multiple roles, but in the interest of brevity, we're just including the best Eddie Murphy movie, Coming To America. Murphy's main character, Prince Akeem, is the only one that he plays in the movie. Clarence, the barber, is also Murphy, as is Saul, the guy who just hangs out at the barbershop all day. Finally, Murphy also plays the character you may remember from the "What's Going Down" episode of "That's My Mama," Jackson Heights' own Randy Watson!

Christian Bale - The Prestige

The Prestige is a movie that gets a little lost in director Christopher Nolan's fimography, though, like most of his movies, it's excellent. Nolan teamed up with Christian Bale again on the heels of Batman Begins for this movie about rival magicians. Bale plays Alfred Borden and Borden's assistant, Fallon, who are living with a secret that we'll keep in case you haven't seen the movie.

Mel Brooks - History of the World, Part I

Mel Brooks is a one-man force of nature. Not only did he write, direct, and str in most of his movies, but he usually played multiple roles as well. One of the best examples was in History of the World, Part I, where he plays four characters, one in each segment of the film.

Tilda Swinton - Suspiria

There is little that Tilda Swinton can't do, including playing multiple roles in movies. She first did it in 2002's Teknolust, before playing oddball twins in the Coen Brothers' Hail, Caesar! In Suspiria, she plays three roles, Madame Blanc, Dr. Josef Klemperer, and Mother Helena Markos.

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Man In The Iron Mask

The titular character in The Man in the Iron Mask, was, supposedly, a prisoner kept by King Louis XIV during his reign. In the movie, the mysterious prisoner is Louis' twin brother, the fictional Philippe Bourbon. Both the king and the man in the iron mask are played by Leonardo DiCaprio in this historically dubious retelling of a classic Four Musketeer tale.

Janelle Monáe - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

As the title implies, there are a lot of layers in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. by writer and director Rian Johnson. One of those layers is just who Janelle Monáe's character is, either Andi Brand, the ex-partner of Edward Norton's character, or Helen Brand, her twin sister investigating Andi's unexpected death.

Arsenio Hall - Coming To America

Like his co-star Eddie Murphy, Arsenio also plays multiple roles in Coming To America. His main role, Semmi, is Murphy's trusted servant. Hall also plays one of the women the two meet at a club and one of the barbers, but the funniest character he plays has to be the preacher. Every line he delivers is hilarious.

Armie Hammer - The Social Network

Of all the double (and more) roles on this list, maybe the easiest to do double duty for is that of the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network. Don't get us wrong, Armie Hammer nails the role(s) as the swarmy twins who actually came up with the idea that would become Facebook. They may have had a case against Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), but that didn't make them good people.

Graham Chapman - Monty Python And The Holy Grail

This is really an entry for all of the members of Monty Python, as all of them play at least four different roles in the movie. Graham Chapman plays King Arthur, so naturally, he gets top billing, but John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Eric Idle deserve the spotlight here. Actors Neil Innes, Sandy Johnson, and John Young also play multiple roles in the movie.

Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Ben Whishaw, And More - Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas tells a story that spans centuries and in each timeline, the same core group of actors play different roles. This includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, and many more. It's a wild movie to follow, but all the actors are on point, for sure

Jack Nicholson - Mars Attacks!

While Mars Attacks! may not be the first movie you think of when you think of the great roles Jack Nicholson has played over the years, you should because he's actually really great in both of the roles he plays. It's not often thought of as one of Nicholson's best movies, but maybe it should be, because it is hilarious and he's a big reason why,

Hayley Mills - The Parent Trap

Both versions of The Parent Trap, the original starring Hayley Mills as twins separated at birth and the remake starring Lindsey Lohan as the twins are great movies. Mills and Lohan are both great at playing the dual roles of the twins who discover their parents separated them when they were babies and they never knew.

Mike Myers - Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

As the Austin Powers franchise chugged on, Mike Myers kept adding roles, but in the original, he started brilliantly as both the hero, Austin Powers, and the villain, Dr. Evil. It's hard to decide which character is funnier, but it's safe to say that without Myers playing the roles, neither would be as iconic and we wouldn't have as many classic lines from Myers.

Peter Sellers - The Mouse That Roared

While Dr. Strangelove is the most famous and revered example of Peter Sellers playing multiple roles in a movie, it wasn't the first time he did. A few years before the Stanley Kubrick classic, Sellers started in the wildly underrated war movie farce The Mouse That Roared. Sellers carries the movie in three different, ridiculous, and hilarious roles and it really should be better remembered today.

Margaret Hamilton - The Wizard Of Oz

Margaret Hamilton plays two different villains in The Wizard Of Oz. Of course, she plays the iconic Wicked Witch Of The West and Dorothy's obnoxious neighbor Almira Gulch, who takes Toto after claiming to be bitten by the innocent dog. Hamilton isn't the only actor in the movie to play dual roles, but both of her characters are the most developed of them.

Eddie Murphy - The Nutty Professor

Coming To America may be the best example of Eddie Murphy playing multiple roles, but The Nutty Professors and its sequel, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps definitely has him playing the most characters. Across both movies, he plays eight different characters. While both movies have their moments, neither quite reach the comedic heights of Coming To America.

Mia Goth - X

In The X series, Mia Goth plays both Maxine Minx and Pearl Douglas. the former is in Goth's wheelhouse, but the latter, an elderly woman who is the villain of both of the first two movies, X and Pearl. Goth is unrecognizable and brilliant in both.

Richard Pryor - Which Way Is Up?

Years before his Harlem Nights co-star Eddie Murphy started starring in multiple roles in movies, Richard Pryor pulled off the feat in Which Way Is Up? in 1977. While it's an uneven movie, it does have some funny moments, especially Pryor in one of his roles, the Reverend Lenox Thomas.

Cate Blanchett - Coffee & Cigarettes

Director Jim Jarmusch's Coffee & Cigarettes is a collection of short stories, 11 in total, that pay tribute to, you guessed it, those two popular vices. In one of them, Cate Blanchett plays a fictionalized version of herself and her fictional cousin, Shelly, who meet for a coffee and a smoke. The story is really just an uncomfortable conversation between Cate and the jealous Shelly, but it's one of the best stories in the movie.

Tom Hardy - Legend

Tom Hardy is never afraid to take on a tricky role and in Legend he takes on two, playing the psychotic Cray twins, Reggie and Ronnie. Based on the true story of the mobsters who gained fame in the mid-'60s as the owners of a popular nightclub frequented by celebrities in the "Swinging London" era.

Hilary Duff - The Lizzie McGuire Movie

Okay, we'll admit the plot of The Lizzie McGuire Movie is pretty silly. In it, Lizzie, played by Hilary Duff, of course, travels to Rome on a school trip and ends up in a weird love triangle of sorts with her Italian doppelganger, Isabella. Is it a great movie? Nah, not really, but it does fit on this list.

Adam Sandler - Jack And Jill

If you're an Adam Sandler fan, then you'll love Jack And Jill because you get twice as much Sandler as usual, as he plays the brother and sister, Jack and Jill. Honestly, unless you're a big Sandler fan, this is a movie you can skip, though it does seem to have fans for some reason.

Great actors don't need a lot of makeup or total body transformations to improve their performance, but when you get the combination of a great and those things, the effect can be amazing. Sometimes the effect is so good the actors become completely unrecognizable, like the examples in this list where actors like Jared Leto and Gary Oldman were completely transformed for roles.

Jared Leto - House Of Gucci

It's fair to say that House Of Gucci was, at best, an uneven movie. It was a daunting challenge for everyone involved and none more so than Jared Leto. Leto played the legendary Paolo Gucci, and while his accent was a little shaky, his look and his mannerisms were completely on point. It's one heck of a transformation.

Charlize Theron - Monster

There is no more intense transformation for a role than Charlize Theron's performance as real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. Theron completely embodies the monster that Wuoronos was, while also subtly allowing the audience to understand how the killer became the way she was. Theron rightfully won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the brutal murderer.

Christian Bale - Vice

Christian Bale is one of the best actors of his generation and he's never been afraid to alter his look for a performance. The Machinist is one excellent example, but even that transformation pales in comparison to the way he completely became Dick Cheney in Vice. Not only does he look just like the former vice president, but he nails his speech pattern and mannerisms as well. It's remarkable.

Lily James - Pam & Tommy

When Lily James was cast as Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy it raised a few eyebrows. The actress seemed like a complete opposite in every way, especially her looks, as the blonde bombshell. Yet, when the movie came out, people were amazed at how well James pulled it off. No, it's not the best movie, but James was the spitting image of Anderson.

Gary Oldman - True Romance

One actor who is truly a master of disguise is Gary Oldman. He seemingly looks completely different in almost every role he plays. One of the most astounding transformations was early in his career when he played a pimp in True Romance. He literally looks and sounds nothing like himself in the film, to the point where if you didn't know it was him, you'd never guess.

Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye

You know when a film wins the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Best Actress, the role is going to be special. Such is the case for Jessica Chastain in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Chastain is completely unrecognizable in the role of the wife of the infamous Jim Bakker and is simply incredible in the movie.

Margot Robbie - I, Tonya

Turning Margot Robbie into a street tough figure skater like Tonya Harding is no easy feet. Through a combination of incredible makeup work and even better acting, Robbie completely disappears into the notorious skater made famous for her part in attacking her rival Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Olympics.

Glenn Close - Hook

Steven Spielberg's 1991 Hook isn't generally remembered as the legendary director's best work, but it is chock full of fun cameos and one of the hardest to spot is Glenn Close. The actress plays one of the pirates on Captain Hook's ship and if you don't look closely, you'll never notice the multiple Oscar nominee under the beard and makeup turning her into a male pirate.

Tilda Swinton - Trainwreck

The most remarkable thing about Tilda Swinton's transformation in the rom-com Trainwreck is just how conventional she looks. Swinton has one of the most unique looks in Hollywood and most of the time that look is enhanced by the roles she plays, it's part of what makes her so great. Her "normal" look in Trainwreck is made remarkable by that,

Mike Myers - Bohemian Rhapsody

Mike Myers took a long hiatus from acting in the 2010s and when he returned in Bohemian Rhapsody, audiences had to do a triple-check to make sure it was him in the role of a record executive arguing with Queen about the song that the movie is named after. With sunglasses and a full blonde beard, Myers looked nothing like his normal sense and his performance was excellent.

Colin Farrell - The Batman/The Penguin

When the trailer first dropped for The Batman, people were astounded at how Colin Farrell looked as Penguin. When the movie came out and we all watched his performance, it was even more shocking (in a great way). When he took the role to HBO for the TV show named after the character, we were all completely lost in it, because he was just so great. Though he says the suit and makeup aren't worth it, we have a feeling he'll be back as the Gotham-based villain.

50 Cent - All Things Fall Apart

50 Cent has proven to be quite the actor. The rapper has branched out into producing, even. Perhaps his best performance was as the fallen football star in All Things Fall Apart. His body transformation to play a pro athlete in peak physical condition who falls victim to cancer is incredible

Sarah Paulson - Impeachment: American Crime Story

Sarah Paulson knows how to completely disappear into a role. She was as incredible as Marsha Clark in The People Vs. OJ Simpson and she was even more remarkable as Linda Tripp in Impeachment: American Crime Story. Seriously, if you didn't know it was her, you'd never guess. She looks more like Tripp than Paulson in every way.

Billy Bob Thornton In U-Turn

Billy Bob Thorton is one of the most fun actors to watch in everything he is in. Take, for example, his role in Sling Blade, in which he looks completely different from himself. Another fine example is as the mechanic in U-Turn with Sean Penn. If it wasn't for his distinctive voice, you'd never know it was him.

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

For a while there, Eddie Murphy made it his job to look completely different in his movies like The Nutty Professor, but at no point in any of those movies did he transform quite like he did to play the Jewish guy who hung out in the barbershop in Coming To America. Even his role as the barber in the movie was more recognizable. We also have to give props to Arsenio Hall for his various roles in the movie as well.

Mia Goth - X

Mia Goth playing the elderly Pearl in X is fantastic. Though you can tell it's her as Maxine, if you just walked in on the movie as those scenes of her as the older Pearl was playing, you'd never know who it is.

Tom Hardy - Bronson

Tom Hardy has never been shy about taking on challenging roles that require him to transform completely. He changes so much, that you almost feel like you don't know what he actually looks like in real life. Bronson is one of his finest transformations as he looks way more like the notorious British prisoner than like himself in the movie. It's so much more than just a mustache, that's for sure.

Donnie Wahlberg - The Sixth Sense

Mark Wahlberg may be the more famous brother, but Donnie Wahlberg also has some incredible acting chops and his performance comes in his minor-ish role in The Sixth Sense. It's clear that the former (and current) New Kid On The Block lost a ton of weight for his haunting performance in the movie.

Steve Carell - Foxcatcher

Murderer John du Pont of the famous du Pont family was a unique-looking guy. In Foxcatcher, Steve Carell completely embodies that uniqueness, It's almost unsettling how much Carell looks like du Pont and not like himself in the disturbing movie about the murder the scion of the wealthy family committed in 1997.

Cate Blanchett — I’m Not There

The legendary Bob Dylan has been played on screen a few times and remarkably the actor that pulled off his look and mannerism best is the amazing Cate Blanchett in I’m Not There. Of all the actors who play a version of the folk singer, Blancett is the most convincing and she looks nothing like herself in the movie.

Zac Efron - The Iron Claw

Early in his career Zac Efron was kind of typecast as the goofy good-looking guy. In 2023's The Iron Claw he completely upends that as he embodied the late Kerry Von Erich in the fantastic biopic about wrestling's first family, the Von Erichs

Renée Zellweger - The Thing About Pam

After a little bit of a career lull that included a four-year break from acting, Renée Zellweger returned in a big way in the late 2010s, culminating in an Oscar-winning performance as Judy Garland in 2019's Judy, which completely revived her career. Her best was yet to come because despite not getting the same accolades in the press, her performance as murderer Pam Hupp in The Thing About Pam was a complete transformation

Jared Leto - Chapter 27

Turning someone as good-looking as Jared Leto into someone as despised as the man who killed John Lennon is no easy feat. Leto's performance as Mark David Chapman is incredible and even though the movie has flown under the radar for years, it's worth seeking out just to see how different Leto can look from himself.

Missi Pyle - Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

How do you take a beautiful woman like Missi Pyle and make her look like a deranged Eastern European dodgeball player? Ask the makeup department for Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. The work they did, along with Pyle's acting, was amazing. There's no way to know it was her in any way unless you double-check the credits.

Sebastian Stan - A Different Man

A Different Man tells the hilarious and heartwarming tale of a struggling actor with a condition known as neurofibromatosis. Sebastian Stan plays the actor under a whole ton of wonderful makeup and despite the obvious limitation that makeup puts on the actor, Stan puts in a career-defining performance.

Chris Hemsworth - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

While it isn't the most extreme example on this list, Chris Hemsworth's look in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is amazing. The only reason you really know it's him is that he uses his natural Aussie accent in the movie, which he doesn't do all that much these days. He's even won awards for the performance!

Ryan Reynolds - Blade: Trinity

Okay, we'll admit this isn't the biggest transformation on this list, but you can't deny that Ryan Reynolds has a completely different, more sinister look in Blade: Trinity. It's way different from what you expect from a standard Reynolds performance.

Nicole Kidman - Birth

Nicole Kidman is an amazing actress, but she's not one of those actors you expect to completely change her look for a role. Her part in Birth shows that she certainly can do that, and do it in spectacular ways.

Robert De Niro - Raging Bull

Robert De Niro famously put on a ton of weight for his role as Al Capone in The Untouchables. He also got completely jacked for Cape Fear. He did both for his incredible performance in Raging Bull. As a young Jake LaMotta he was cut and fit and as an older version of the boxer, he was flabby and overweight. Either way, De Niro looks less like himself and more like the real-life boxer. He certainly deserved the Oscar he won for the role.

Margot Robbie - Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots had a unique look that was only enhanced by the odd style of 16th Century Scotland. Still, Margot Robbie nails the look of the queen in a way that leaves the audience squinted to see if it's really the Australian actress.

Gary Oldman - The Darkest Hour

No one transforms quite like Gary Oldman. He's completely different in every role he plays and in The Darkest Hour, he completely embodies his role as Winston Churchill. It's not just the makeup, though that is perfect, it's also the voice and mannerisms he brings to the role that makes you believe you're actually watching the legendary prime minister.

Charlize Theron - Bombshell

Bombshell is one of those movies where you might think you're watching the real-life characters that the cast of Bombshell are playing. Charlize Theron's portrayal of former Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly tops the performances. It's pitch-perfect in every way.

One of the most stylish movies to hit the 2024 movie schedule, albeit the most grimy kind of style, Ti West’s Hollywood-glorifying sequel MaXXXine delivered a largely satisfactory ending to Maxine Minx’s tale. Which is obviously a good thing, since the filmmaker thinks they stuck the landing with this one, and likely won’t dive back into this universe anytime soon. But if Mia Goth's Maxine does continue her journey, the story needs to address what I still think is a big plot hole even after rewatching.

It should go without saying, but we’ll be delving into SPOILERS BELOW, so be warned if you haven’t yet checked out MaXXXine streaming with a Max subscription, unless you’re just someone who loves knowing about plot holes before knowing about the plot itself.

Maxine Was Given A Copy Of A Police-Tagged Video Connecting Her To The Texas Murders

When Maxine first realizes that she’s being targeted, it’s only because her tormentor (later revealed to be her father) chose to antagonize her with a VHS tape containing footage from the pornographic movie filmed on RJ’s camera during the events of Ti West’s X. Donning the words “For Maxine” on the front label, the tape is shown to feature at least Maxine’s big sex scene, proving her to be the sole survivor of Pearl and Howard’s murderous rampage.

Most importantly, perhaps, is that the video begins with a screen notification that the footage was tagged as evidence by Texas authorities after the camera was confiscated at the scene of the deaths. I mean, it was fully assumed that cops would know of Maxine’s existence and grasp that she fled the scene, even if she wasn’t fully suspected of being the mastermind behind it all.

Leon Likely Had The Tape Nearby When He Was Murdered

Maxine is obviously freaked out knowing that someone out there has knowledge of both her past transgressions and her current whereabouts. So without any other investigation options to choose from, she tasks her bestie, video store clerk Leon (Moses Sumney), with learning anything he can about the VHS tape. Hours later, Leon gets slashed and stabbed to death by Maxine’s estranged father Ernest (Simon Prast), and viewers never get to hear that Leon didn’t ever learn shit about the video duplicate.

To be sure, I wouldn’t have expected any amount of VHS-based research to result in useful information for these characters, but the key detail here is that Leon almost definitely had the (presumably illegally copied) tape of police evidence on or around the video store’s front desk, since he was working until closing time that night. While it’s certainly possible that Ernest picked the tape up before getting into the vehicle with Kevin Bacon’s John Labat, he wasn’t grasping it in his blood-covered gloves at the time.

As such, I have to think the tape would have perked the eyelines of both Detectives Williams (Michelle Monaghan) and Torres (Bobby Cannavale), even if none of the other officers on the scene had pegged its importance. And yet…

The Tape Isn't Mentioned Again, Despite Being A Potential Bombshell For The Detectives

Considering Det. Williams pulls the garish move of lifting the blood-soaked sheet to reveal Leon’s sliced face to Maxine (and so many other onlookers who did not deserve to have their mornings ruined like that), I immediately presumed they’d found the “For Maxine” tape, clocked its ties to Texas police, and that it played into their attempt to provoke her emotional response. Even if the detectives weren’t yet able to make exact connections between Maxine and the prior murders, I can understand the intention there.

And I’m still following that assumption each time Monaghan’s character treats Maxine with sympathy, especially after she brings up being a “survivor.” And so when Williams and Torres show up and interrupt the exorcism ritual nightmare situation that Ernest Miller is filming, I’m fully thinking that Williams learned what happened in Texas, figured out that Maxine escaped a traumatic situation, and made the decision not to report her. A “strong women empowering strong women” kind of thing.

But none of that gets addressed by the time Williams’ hyper-freaky death scene happens, with Torres having already been left for dead by that point. We’re just sort of led to think that Williams intuitively understood Maxine was in a rough predicament, and chose to follow those instincts without actually knowing anything about her past. I get that Williams wouldn’t readily blurt all that out to Maxine, but the movie could have revealed that in a different way.

Maxine ends the film as a burgeoning star who wishes her fame will never cease, which already seems like a stretch considering her rise in popularity just makes it all the more likely that someone will connect her to the Texas murders. That eventuality wouldn’t even require the investigators to have found the “For Maxine” tape in the video shop.

However, it still stands to reason that whoever else worked in that video store, or was hired as Leon’s replacement, would have found the VHS and watched it just for cataloging purposes, only to realize they’d found something completely unexpected. So maybe the idea actually IS that Maxine’s stardom will always run counter to the threat that anyone knowledgeable about the unfinished porn can identify her and get her in a world of bad publicity.

Yet the film doesn’t lay that out directly, so I’m not sure we’re even meant to have it in mind as a takeaway. If only the movie featured a post-credit sequence where the camera slowly zooms in on a large pile of videos stacked against a wall, with the “Fox Maxine” tape somewhere near the bottom. Instead, I’m sitting here unsure of whether or not this is a plot hole or just a thread for audiences to wonder about in their free time.

After streaming MaXXXine, check out all the upcoming horror movies heading to theaters and streaming in the near and distant future.

It's a great time to be a horror fan, as the genre has been experiencing a thrilling renaissance for years now. Some of the best horror movies have come out of studios during this time, both sequels and original concepts. Ti West's X trilogy is in the latter category, with thee threequel MaXXXine being one of the most highly anticipated upcoming horror movies prior to its release. I finally saw MaXXXine and thought the finale was missing something I loved about the first two movies.

MaXXXine's ending saw her confront her televangelist father, who was hinted at heavily throughout the events of X. While we got action and some fun kills, I thought one key element of the franchise was missing in the finale: camp and humor.

Part of the reason why fans loved both X and Pearl (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription) was because Ti West included elements of dark comedy and camp within the slashers. Pearl especially leaned into this concept, allowing Mia Goth's title character to be memed countless times since its release. And in that way, it felt like the third act of MaXXXine lost the plot.

While West's threequel had some moments of camp throughout its runtime, including Maxine's short fuse and that over the top car crush death, the finale felt much more literal. She managed to kill her father and continue her rising career in Hollywood, becoming the star that both she and Pearl longed to be throughout the first two movies. The story was wrapped up neatly, but I could have used more of the franchise's signature tongue-in-cheek humor.

X leaned into camp with moments like Brittany Snow's death at the hands of an alligator, as well as the faux porn scenes. Pearl embraced dark comedy even more, as the title character's delusion and penchant for violence resulted in a bonkers and thoroughly enjoyable movie experience. Pearl's ending was particularly memorable for this reason, with the credits rolling as Mia Goth's character smiled painfully into the camera. And after the sequel became meme fodder for years, I expected MaXXXine to provide more campy/humorous moments.

To be clear: I still think that the X trilogy was a success, and had a great time as a hardcore horror fan. Some fans are wondering if Ti West will continue expanding the franchise, although there doesn't seem to be any plans for that at the time of writing this story. And who can blame him? He's spent years collaborating with Goth on his three slashers, to great success.

MaXXXine is available to be rented and purchased on digital now, while Pearl is streaming on Netflix. While we wait to see if more movies come, check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater in the New Year.

The wait is over, horror fans! MaXXXine, which was one of the most highly anticipated entries on the upcoming horror movies list has arrived. The film, which has been promoted as the final installment in Ti West's X trilogy, is stirring up some buzz across social media. Though it's still early, considering the slasher flick just landed on the 2024 movie schedule, some may be wondering if there could there be more movies from this franchise in the future. Well, lead star Mia Goth and West spoke to that notion while also talking about “sticking the landing” with this threequel.

In the recently released MaXXXine, titular aspiring actress and former adult film star Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) finally sees her big break on the silver screen in the 1980s. Her journey, which began with surviving a bloody massacre in the 2022 film X, culminates in this thrilling conclusion. So how does the franchise star feel about the series’ conclusion? According to her, it's all very “bittersweet.” As Goth tells it to Variety:

Ti West, the writer-director behind the trilogy, echoed his collaborator's sentiments. The filmmaker also added:

This sentiment is understandable, given the intense journey they've been on. For those unfamiliar with the X series' unique production, Ti West and Mia Goth have been immersed in these characters since 2022. They filmed X and Pearl back-to-back before moving on to MaXXXine. After such a demanding schedule, they’ve certainly earned any rest and free time they want before considering another project in this fictional universe.

While horror movie fans might assume that the filmmaker's and star's recent comments signal the end of the burgeoning franchise, not so fast. Ti West was asked about a fourth movie recently and said during another interview that he’s leaving the door open for more stories. He mentioned that his idea for a follow-up could “play into these movies,” though he didn’t specify whether we would see a return of Miss Minx. So who knows? Perhaps this trilogy is the end of the road for Mia Goth’s turn in the series, or maybe there are more surprises to come.

With MaXXXine now playing in theaters, fans and critics are left to ponder the future of the X franchise. While both the director and leading lady have hinted that this might be the end, the unpredictable nature of Hollywood, and the horror genre in particular, leaves room for speculation. For now, audiences can revel in the thrilling conclusion of a trilogy that has redefined modern horror and is now playing in a theater near you.

You can revisit the first two installments of Ti West’s innovative horror franchise by buying or renting X from your preferred movie provider and streaming Pearl with a Prime Video subscription.

Warning: spoilers for MaXXXine are in play. If you haven’t seen the latest entry in Ti West’s horror franchise, you’ve been warned.

Mia Goth’s Maxine Minx has been through hell and back over the course of two films that plunge the star of X into some quite harrowing experiences. The 2024 movie MaXXXine seems to mark the end of the trilogy that kicked off with Ti West’s first two entries in 2022; and the result is something that truly needs to be seen to be believed.

MaXXXine also ties into its predecessors in some exciting ways when all is said and done. To really talk about how and why, we’re going to need to dig into the ending and all of the gory, spoiler-y details. So, if you’re not up to date on Maxine Minx’s latest adventure, but want to know more, check out Eric Eisenberg’s MaXXXine review and go see the movie. As for the rest of you, it’s time to go beyond those green doors and take a look at how this goddamned fucked up horror picture potentially tied things up.

X, Or ‘The Texas Porn Star Massacre,’ In A Nutshell

Since we do have a pretty awesome feature on the X ending in play, I won’t spend too much time recapping the first film released in this saga. However, a quick rundown is appropriate, as X does lay down the tracks for MaXXXine’s central mystery as we learned even more about Ms. Minx’s past.

Born as Maxine Miller, our heroine ran away from home at some point between 1959 and 1979 and rechristened herself as ambitious porn star Maxine Minx (Mia Goth). Surviving the “Texas Porn Star Massacre” waged by Pearl (Mia Goth) and husband Howard (Stephen Ure), Maxine kills the woman obsessed with her youth…who also happens to be a fan of her televangelist father Ernest (Simon Prast).

As we saw at the end of X, the man was focused on finding his daughter again; and that would turn out to be more important than we thought down the line.

The Identity Of Maxine Minx’s Stalker, Revealed

In the world of MaXXXine’s 1985 L.A. setting, the real-life killer Richard “The Night Stalker” Ramirez is claiming the victims' history would eventually be attributed to his hand. But at the same time, Maxine Minx and her fellow sex workers are being stalked by a copycat. And that would-be killer is none other than Ernest Miller, her own father!

Using the assistance of shady private investigator John Labat (Kevin Bacon), Ernest has set up shop in the Hollywood Hills, and he is on a mission. His quest to find his daughter, established in X, also comes with another mission: to make a film about Hollywood’s seemingly demonic tendencies. And like any good horror movie, there’s a body count associated with that production; which claims friend and co-worker alike.

Maxine Minx Exorcises Her Past And Becomes A Star

The two big pillars to Maxine Minx’s life story are overcoming her traumatic past, while also becoming a Hollywood star. MaXXXine gives her the chance to do both throughout the course of events that unfold. In the case of overcoming her past, confronting and murdering her psychotic father is how one piece of that puzzle happens to snap into place.

Escaping her father's clutches, and cornering him behind the Hollywood sign, Maxine blasts his head apart with a shotgun, after telling him that he gave her all she needed to become a star. Free of his menace, Minx's role in The Puritan II, the sequel within a sequel being made in MaXXXine, can continue on as planned.

Meant to be her huge crossover hit that’ll take her from adult films to mainstream cinema, she’s got a director who believes in her (Elizabeth Debicki), an agent who swears he’d go to jail for her (Giancarlo Esposito), and a movie that looks to be a horror classic in the making. At this point, all Maxine Minx wants is one simple thing: for her success to never end.

How Does Pearl Tie Into Everything?

On the surface, some might be questioning how exactly this last film ties into Pearl’s ending, as the 1918 set prequel doesn’t seem to be all that connected. However, through easter eggs and good old haunting guilt, the story of that young lady-turned-old murderess is even more powerful. Especially because Maxine Minx achieved the dream that Pearl could not.

Though she appears as a specter haunting our heroine throughout MaXXXine, Pearl’s ghost serves a dual purpose. Not only is she tangibly there to remind Maxine of her experience during X, but she’s also a metaphorical shadow cast over her and the rest of the women just trying to become the next star with that “X Factor.”

Also, when it comes to easter eggs that tie Pearl even tighter into the fabric of the X trilogy, we see someone putting out a cigarette on a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The name on that particular spot is none other than Theda Bara; which is fitting for several reasons.

Historically, Bara is known as “Hollywood’s first sex symbol,” so the story of Pearl and Maxine’s quests for stardom would seem to be tipping a hat to her historical relevance. But also, since MaXXXine is a sadly gator-less affair, it felt only fair to reference Pearl’s pet alligator in some way, shape, or form; as it shares a name with one of her favorite film stars.

What MaXXXine’s Ending Could Be Hinting At For A Potential Sequel

I’d like to close with a potential note on where things could go, should Ti West’s tease of a fourth X movie come to pass. As Theda Bara has been an influence on where this story has gone, her failure to move past her image as a sex symbol might hold a key to where Maxine Minx could be headed next. I’d be lying if I didn’t have some sort of concern for Mia Goth’s starlet-to-be, last seen snorting cocaine with a $100 bill; a notable upgrade since doing so with a $2 bill in her X introduction.

There are plenty of ideas for how this series could continue, as the gaps in the timeline are as numerous as the impressive new characters introduced in MaXXXine. However, I think that if there’s one final chapter to be had, it almost has to be Maxine Minx’s fall from grace; and her potential death by overdose.

I don’t want that to happen, but with the way the threads are woven in these three films, that feels like a tragic, but fitting, ending. It's also a natural pivot to the gothic horror genre, especially because, as we've now seen two times in a row, the only person who can stop Maxine Minx seems to be herself. While the ghosts of her past are gone for now, who's to say they're really dead and buried for good?

We’ll just have to wait and see, as MaXXXine is beginning its box office run, in theaters now. For all I know, I’ve missed something in both X and Pearl, that might hold even more clues to what’s truly going on. While X is currently not available outside of digital rentals and/or purchases, you can revisit Pearl through a Prime Video or Paramount+ subscription.

A24’s popular X franchise is about to hit theaters with a new installment, and some lucky fans in California got a chance to be amongst the first to see it. The Alamo Drafthouse in Downtown Los Angeles played host to one of the first public screenings of MaXXXine on Wednesday, and let the record show fans were fired up about it. The third installment of Ti West’s take on adult films and the seedy underbelly of fame pushes more toward thriller than horror, and that change-up helps add new excitement and life to the franchise.

Don’t take my word for it though. We partnered with A24 to set up a camera crew outside the theater following the Q&A with director Ti West, and as you’d expect from A24 fans, they had a lot to say . Not surprisingly, most of it was over the top positive. You can check out a highlight video of their thoughts above.

We ultimately got a chance to speak to about 20 people after the screening, and it's obvious how much people have fallen in love with Mia Goth's Maxine Minx. Fans used words like "inspiring" and "badass" to describe her, and one even told us they felt the trilogy was "the ultimate final girl saga." Another said the movies were now at the top of her favorite franchises. Here's a portion of her quote...

This isn't our first time connecting with fired up A24 fans. We did something similar at a screening for Talk To Me last year, and it was easy to see a lot of parallels with the energy in the room. Fans were on the edge of their seats throughout MaXXXine’s runtime, and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see many of them head back to a theater and check it out for a second time.

They’ll get their chance when MaXXXine is officially released in theaters on July 5th, 2024, or even a little sooner as A24 is offering fans some showtime options on July 4th, as well. And rightfully so. Can you think of a better person to celebrate America’s birthday with than Mia Goth’s Maxine Minx? I certainly cannot. 

If you haven’t checked out the X franchise yet, I cannot recommend it enough. The first film, X, follows a group of amateurs who head to a remote farm to try and make a porn movie. The second film, Pearl, is a prequel that tells the origin story of one of the side characters from the first film. MaXXXine jumps back to the timeline of the first film and continues its title character’s pursuit of her dreams of stardom.

Tickets for all the upcoming showings are already on sale. You can grab some right here and lock in your seats for one of the most exciting movies of the summer!

Some of the best horror movies in recent years have come out of A24, and Ti West is responsible for two of them in X and its prequel Pearl. Two years later he’s back with a third offering in the franchise, MaXXXine, with Mia Goth reprising the role of the aspiring actress. MaXXXine’s release date is July 5, and critics have had the chance to screen the film before it slashes its way into theaters. First responses to the sleazy threequel were positive, and much of the critics' praise for the upcoming A24 movie seems to be centered around its star.

Mia Goth is, naturally, the star in Ti West’s latest project, but this time she’ll be surrounded by some new faces to the franchise, with Halsey, Kevin Bacon, Giancarlo Esposito and others filling in the cast around Maxine as she strives for stardom while trying to avoid the Night Stalker. In the CinemaBlend review of MaXXXine, Eric Eisenberg says this movie cements Goth’s place as a standout Final Girl. He gives the film 3.5 stars out of 5, writing: 

BJ Colangelo of SlashFilm gives it an 8.5 out of 10, saying that just as X and Pearl before it perfectly captured the worlds in which they were set, this upcoming horror movie is full of 1980s lusty, electric sleaze. This supporting cast is the strongest of the trilogy, but Mia Goth owns the franchise with another powerhouse performance. Colangelo says: 

Alison Foreman of IndieWire gives MaXXXine an A-, saying they feel the vibes of Charli XCX’s “Brat” as the hyperviolent threequel delivers the most extreme kills while doubling as a social lambasting. Mia Goth gives her fullest performance of the trilogy, the critic says, writing: 

David Rooney of THR echoes other critics in lauding Mia Goth’s magnetic presence. He says she's paving the road for a new breed of scream queen, and by the time the credits roll, audiences will be praying Ti West comes through with a fourth offering in the series. Rooney continues: 

Siddhant Adlakha of IGN also praises the lead actress, with her “chilling, unbroken stares,” but says that’s not enough to make up for what it lacks everywhere else. The critic rates MaXXXine a “Mediocre” 5 out of 10, saying: 

As expected after seeing MaXXXine's trailer, it sounds like 1980s sleaze permeates through this movie, and many critics are crediting the trilogy's satisfying conclusion to Mia Goth and her embodiment of the title character. MaXXXine hits the big screen on Friday, July 5.

Two years after X and its prequel Pearl introduced us to Maxine Minx, Mia Goth is back to wrap up the trilogy of her budding adult film star in MaXXXine. The upcoming horror movie from writer/director Ti West is a direct sequel to X, sticking Maxine in 1980s Los Angeles following the massacre in Texas. MaXXXine hits theaters July 5, and those who have caught an early screening are taking to social media with their first reactions. It seems they all think the film provides a fitting end to the trilogy.

With the first two offerings in the series considered among the best of A24 horror, expectations for the threequel are pretty high. Adding to the excitement is the cast that will surround Mia Goth, as big names like Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth Debicki, Bobby Cannavale and more join the franchise. The trailer for MaXXXine looks downright sleazy, and that’s a word that comes up several times in moviegoers’ initial thoughts. Junior Felix of That Hashtag Show writes:

The Hollywood Handle agrees MaXXXine is a fitting end to Max Minx’s story — even if a fourth installment could happen — providing more of what we’ve come to expect from Mia Goth and A24 in general. The site tweets:

Courtney Howard likes the bite of satire infused into this third installment, and it sounds like re-familiarizing yourself with the first two movies wouldn’t be a bad idea in order to pick up on the fun references. The critic says:

Genre-wise it sounds like MaXXXine takes a step in the direction of thriller, rather than straight horror. Russ Milheim of The Direct likes the new aesthetic, saying Ti West’s latest project strikes a refreshing tone. In the critic’s words:

Simon Thompson agrees the threequel brings something new to the franchise and even leans into the Satanic panic of that era. The critic writes:

As for how the 1980s slasher stacks up against its predecessors, some people are listing it as their least favorite of the three; however, none of them think that should deter moviegoers. Says Jamie Jirak of ComicBook.com:

Film critic Jeff Nelson praises Mia Goth’s performance and agrees with others that it’s a great end to the trilogy. Nelson tweets:

Others are also praising the lead actress — no question that she’s a star — as well as those around her including Elizabeth Debick and Kevin Bacon (who one critic described as “delicious.”) Anthony Gagliardi of The Movie Podcast wraps up why fans of this series should be excited, as he says:

With X and Pearl being celebrated as two of the best horror movies of this decade, it’s no surprise that there’s so much hype surrounding the latest project from Ti West. Mark your calendar if you want to catch this when it hits theaters on Friday, July 5, and not only can you check out all of the upcoming A24 movies, but be sure to take a glimpse at everything that’s hitting the big screen soon with our 2024 movie release calendar.

Way back when I managed to see Ti West’s X at the South By Southwest film festival, I had no idea I was sitting down to watch part one of a planned trilogy. But West surprised audiences that night by revealing that a prequel to X already had been filmed, and that Pearl would arrive in theaters months later. Pearl explored the origins of a mysterious character lurking in the shadows of X, and the story isn’t ending there. As we learned, the well-reviewed Pearl was laying the groundwork for the upcoming A24 movie MaXXXine, and now we have a trailer to suggest the direction in which Mia Goth’s character is heading. 

Here’s the full trailer for Ti West’s captivating MaXXXine: 

Ti West’s movies in this trilogy so far have paid homage to specific and beloved periods in the horror genre, and MaXXXine looks to follow a similar blueprint. With the story following Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) to Hollywood, this is giving West the opportunity to spoof the film industry, recreating gory genre cinema while also dropping Goth into what looks to be a classic 1980s slasher mystery. 

Per the plot synopsis, a mysterious night stalker will be taking to the seedy streets of Hollywood to hunt starlets, but tangling with Maxine – based on that we saw in X – is likely going to be a problem for the stalker. 

I was born in the 1970s, and grew up on the VHS tapes to which Ti West is paying homage in MaXXXine. I’m here to tell you, he has nailed the look and feel of the late-night Skin-emax cable movies that we’d record and rewatch religiously. It’s why this shot from the trailer, of blood spattering across a line of VHS tapes, really caught my eye. 

Would you like even more reasons to be excited for MaXXXine? When describing the upcoming horror movie, director Ti West compared it to perhaps one of the scariest movies released in that decade – James Cameron’s The Terminator. And if you remember how terrifying the relentless Terminator was in the original film, before Cameron embraced the sci-fi mythology of that world, you know what to expect from this film. 

But will this be the end of the road for Mia Goth and her filmmaker? Perhaps not, as West already has started to lay the groundwork for another story that’s attached to this thread. So long as these two want to keep collaborating on movies, we will turn up to see what they have in story. Look for MaXXXine when it opens in theaters on July 5.

Fans of Ti West’s trilogy of films that started with his smash hit X are undoubtedly counting the days until the next chapter, MaXXXine, hits theaters. It's one of the most hotly anticipated entries on the 2024 movie schedule and will mark the return of Mia Goth’s heroine, Maxine Minx, as she tries to hit it big in 1985 Hollywood. Well, the first official trailer for the film has arrived, and this latest chapter looks as awesome as fans would expect. However, I’m already worried that one element from the first two movies won't be returning for a third round.

Let’s Talk About The MaXXXine Trailer

A24 has truly blessed its fans -- specifically, those invested in the follow-up to 2022’s prequel Pearl -- with this first look at footage; and it’s as slick and sick as one would expect. I’m already starting to think up theories about how Maxine Minx might be going mad from her time down on that Texas farm in X.

Not to mention, MaXXXine’s July release date leaves plenty of time to speculate just how real-life serial killer Richard “The Night Stalker” Ramirez will be factoring into this fictional horror show. Both halves of this particular puzzle sit in front of us, with the movie’s official synopsis reading as follows:

As if it wasn’t exciting enough that Ti West has been teasing another X sequel for the slate of upcoming horror movies, this current chapter is already pretty intriguing. And it’s got one hell of a cast too, with everyone from Elizabeth Debicki and Giancarlo Esposito to Kevin Bacon joining MaXXXine’s roster of talent. 

With all of that in mind, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful to Mr. West and company when I say there’s just one specific x-factor missing from this threequel. To be fair, it’s something I’ve quite enjoyed in the past, as a particular animal friend of the late Pearl has so far been one of the series' greatest joys.

Where’s Theda The Alligator?

I understand that with the location change following the ending of X, it probably wouldn’t have been practical to transport Theda the Alligator from Pearl’s old Texas homestead to the City of Angels. Both Pearl (which was praised by Martin Scorsese) and its predecessor featured some choice kills involving this great beast of a pet, which disposed of bodies for the dearly departed woman of the house. And the reptile has never been anything short of fascinating. 

One would think that a proper trilogy capper would continue this (probably unintended) tradition. But, then again, I'm not only a horror fan but also an aficionado of monster movies and kaiju spectacle. So I'll fully admit, I'm a bit biased in this field.

On the bright side, I’m very curious as to how Ti West could potentially shift that expectation in the Hollywood of 1985. Perhaps Richard Ramirez is a metaphorical gator, who could possibly cover up any kills Maxine Minx racks up in a state of madness. It’s an exciting possibility to ponder over while missing the creature comforts of good old Theda chomping down on unsuspecting humans. 

Theory will only carry us all so far, and we won’t have to wait too long for MaXXXine to debut in the wild on July 5th. If you’re like me, you may want to spend your time searching for clues that might lie within the previous installments in Ti West and Mia Goth’s franchise. With that, you can stream X and Pearl, as they’re both available through the Showtime add-on to any Paramount+ subscription.

Every trilogy has its grand conclusion. Return of the King, Return of the Jedi and The Dark Knight Rises are all movies that faced epic odds to deliver a satisfying ending in the face of unprecedented success. In a sense, Ti West’s upcoming horror film MaXXXine is staring down those sorts of expectations too, as it’s the follow up to the sweeping slasher hits X and Pearl. That wave of anticipation is about to grow a bit higher, as an image of stars Mia Goth and Halsey has been released, showing the ladies walking the streets of ‘80s Los Angeles.

A24 dropped the first photo from the porno slasher three-quel, which picks up years after X’s ending saw aspiring actor/adult film star Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) as its sole survivor. MaXXXine continues to follow that quest of stardom, as Goth’s protagonist navigates an industry that’s a bit different from when we last saw it. Don’t take our word for it though, as you can sneak your own peek at that image, included below: 

What we know about MaXXXine certainly supports this photo is showing our girl pursuing that life she so richly deserves, and nothing less. It only feels like a matter of time before we see Maxine break into a murderous rampage to make it happen, crushing all obstacles in her way. Though it has to be said that Halsey's character looks pretty tough herself, so who's to say Maxine won't find herself passing on the madness she seemed to share with her previous foe?

That's the energy that saw her and Pearl bond before becoming enemies, as we saw the older woman who became infatuated with X’s eventual protagonist go through her own obstacles in the prequel Pearl. Though instead of using rural backroads and town centers as the heart of its action, MaXXXine brings it all to the sort of town you need to be in to make it big, 

In discussing the few plot details known to the world, writer/director Ti West has mentioned how the VHS boom would be influential to this chapter of his cinema-inspired series. Just as Pearl took its cues from the Technicolor age of The Wizard of Oz  and X went straight up Texas Chainsaw Massacre on its audience, MaXXXine is poised to borrow some element or another from ‘80s cinema to tell its tale.

The wait for Ti West and Mia Goth’s next project together is possibly the most hotly-anticipated slasher movie of the year. It’s certainly high up on the list for loyal fans who have continued to delight in the tradition of every new installment introducing a secretly-filmed companion. Whether MaXXXine will truly be the end of this saga has yet to be seen, but if it inspires the sort of reactions that Pearl still inspires, we might just have another truly amazing trilogy existing in the world of blockbuster horror.

While we don’t have a release date for MaXXXine, most fans are assuming it’ll wind up being eventually announced on the schedule of 2023 new movie releases. In the meantime, those of you wanting to watch or refresh yourselves on X can mark that spot with the help of a Showtime add-on to your Paramount+ subscription. 

I cannot imagine there being a better way for Mia Goth to make her comic book movie debut and become a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe then by joining the Blade cast. The British actor is one of the top Scream Queens of her time, having starred in two of the best horror movies of 2022 alone — namely X and its prequel, Pearl, in which she played the title role. Thus, starring in Marvel Studios’ reboot of one of the top horror characters in comic book history is a pretty perfect fit. 

The question is, when she does appear in Blade alongside Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali as the titular vampire hunter, who will she play? There are many really cool horror-centric Marvel characters who still have yet to have their moment in the MCU spotlight, and some of which Goth may be the right choice to portray. We figured we would speculate over who from the pages of Marvel Comics she may be bringing to life in one of the most long-anticipated upcoming Marvel movies.

Morgan Le Fay 

Technically — as director Chloé Zhao confirmed to Fandom — Mahershala Ali has already made his MCU debut with a vocal, offscreen cameo as Blade in the last of the Eternals’ post-credits scenes, in which he warns Kit Harrington’s Dane Whitman about touching the Ebony Blade. However, the vampire hunter is not the only character whose involvement in the universe is teased in the clip, as the aforementioned mystical sword has canonical ties to Morgan Le Fay.

Referred to as the “Queen of Evil,” this sorcerer has existed in mythological texts that date back centuries before the comic book medium was even created, but has since become known as one of Marvel most powerful and fearsome villains. Mia Goth would be a perfect choice to bring out her ruthlessness, considering her Oscar-worthy performance in Pearl and unhinged turn in Brandon Cronenberg’s twisted 2023 thriller, Infinity Pool, prove she is really good at playing bad. This would, of course, make Elizabeth Hurley’s portrayal on Runaways officially non-MCU-canon, but I am sure that would not upset too many people.

Shiklah

While Goth absolutely has what it takes to play a sophisticated supernatural villain like Morgan Le Fay, I am actually even more interested in the potential of seeing her crank things up to 11 with a character who would allow the actor to channel her more brutal and animalistic side. In fact, I have a perfect character of this description in mind that would be an especially appropriate addition for Blade, considering the role has an interesting connection to the title character.

Co-created by comedian and comic book writer Brian Posehn, Shiklah is a succubus who has been married to several interesting characters in the Marvel Universe — among them Deadpool, Dracula, and also Blade. Would it not be amazing to get a reference to both the Merc with the Mouth and the lord of all vampires in one fell swoop in Blade? Of course, the mere chance to see Goth in the role is, currently, my top reason to see this character brought to life in the film.

Lilith Drake 

On second thought, while it would be amazing to see Goth bring her talents for onscreen villainy to the MCU, a part of me also would be interested in seeing her branch out and take on a more heroic role that would allow her to fight side-by-side with Ali’s Blade. However, I think it also goes without saying that we would not want to see her veer too far away from the side of darkness. For that, I have yet another pitch perfect idea in the form of a character who also has some close ties to Dracula.

The daughter of the Prince of Darkness, Lilith Drake, has such a deep-seated, lifelong hatred of her own father that she would choose to use her vampiric abilities for good instead of evil (for the most part). Of course, this is another example of a character who was previously portrayed on a Marvel TV show (by Saraya Jade-Bevis on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), but since that is not officially canon anymore, I think casting Goth would be fine.

Rachel Van Helsing

On second thought, while seeing Goth play Dracula’s daughter would be an absolute dream, what if Kevin Feige and co. would rather not introduce another iteration of Lilith Drake into the mix so soon? If that turns out to be the case, I have a great character in mind, who also happens to be another descendent of a legendary figure of folklore and possesses certain vampiric abilities.

As you might be able to guess from her last name, Rachel Van Helsing is a descendant of the iconic vampire hunter Mortdecai Van Helsing. After Dracula murdered her mother and father and bestowed upon her powers similar to his own with a scar on her forehead, she would follow in her ancestor’s footsteps and hunt monsters of all kinds. She seems like the exact kind of person whom Blade might like to have around while on the prowl.

Glory Anah

Having other people around while on the prowl is certainly not an uncommon occurrence for Blade, who has actually been affiliated with a number of different teams, such as the Avengers, the Howling Commandos (a S.H.I.E.L.D. unit consisting of supernatural entities), Silvereye, and Bloodshadows. If that last crew I named — a Depression-era street gang that became a group of occult hunters once Blade assumed leadership — were to make their official screen debut in the upcoming superhero movie, I have the perfect role for Goth.

Her name is Glory Anah — a member of the Bloodshadows whose vampiric attributes make her a worthy comrade while on the hunt for bloodsuckers. Even if this ends up not being the role that Goth is cast as for Blade, to see this team show up in the movie would be a treat, in my opinion.

These are only the top five most suitable characters I could come up with for Mia Goth to play in Blade. There are so many others whom she would do wonders as in the movie. As far as I am concerned, it does not matter who she ends being cast as, because I have no doubt that — like any other time — she will knock it right out of the park.

It’s been nearly four years since Kevin Feige surprised Marvel fans with the announcement that a new Blade movie would be part of the MCU and Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali would be playing the vampire hunter. After some behind-the-scenes shuffling, the upcoming Marvel movie set to be released fall of next year, and the cast is finally coming together with the addition of one of the horror genre’s brightest stars. 

Mia Goth, the star of Ti West’s X movies and most recently Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool, is reportedly on board for Blade, per Deadline. As per usual in the MCU, details of her role have not been revealed, but bring on the fan theories! 

Blade found a new director in Yann Demange back in November after its former director, Bassam Tariq, parted ways with the film two months prior to that. Michael Starrbury’s name is on the script, in big part thanks to Mahershala Ali being “personally involved” in his hiring. 

Also among the Blade cast so far is Delroy Lindo, memorably of Malcolm X and Da 5 Bloods fame, and Aaron Pierre, who starred in 2022 M. Night Shyamalan movie Old and in the Superman series Krypton. Blade should be kicking off filming sometime this year ahead of its release date on September 6, 2024 where it will conclude Phase 5 two months after Thunderbolts' release, and two months before Deadpool 3 launches Phase 6.

Prior to this exciting casting news, the 29-year-old English actress gave two highlight performances last year in the interconnected horror movies X and Pearl that even had fans campaigning for award nominations for her. Ti West’s double feature had Mia Goth first playing both a '70s-era porn star named Maxine and a murderous old woman named Pearl, the latter in unrecognizable prosthetics. She then played the younger version of Pearl in the prequel named after the character. Goth is set to play Maxine after the events of X in MaXXXine, which is currently being filmed. 

In addition to those recent roles, Goth also starred alongside Anya Taylor-Joy in the 2020 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma and worked alongside the likes of Tilda Swinton and Dakota Johnson in Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 remake of the horror classic Suspiria. Goth has become something of an indie darling over the years, Blade will mark her most mainstream and high-profile role to date. 

Last month, Goth also became attached to Guillermo del Toro’s take on Frankenstein which is expected to also star Oscar Isaac and Andrew Garfield, both of whom have appeared in the MCU as Moon Knight and Spider-Man (of another universe), respectively. Mia Goth has certainly shown that she has range in her young career thus far, so she could be anything from a badass vampire hunter sidekick to the big bad of Blade. We’ll keep you posted as Blade approaches production. 

While he may not be the most prolific filmmaker in Hollywood and beyond, Guillermo Del Toro would easily be described as one of the most passionate, and it’s specifically that passion that has fueled his countless efforts to spearhead a classic Universal monster movie. That still hasn’t happened yet, with the studio’s Dark Universe still not fully formed in scope, so the director partnered with Netflix for a new feature based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein novel that will presumably give him free rein on the visuals. Now, it looks like Del Toro has a trio of huge names lined up to join his newest feature, in the form of a pair of MCU stars and a modern day Scream Queen.

No doubt still celebrating his Best Animated Feature win at this year’s Oscars for his Netflix Pinocchio adaptation, Guillermo Del Toro seems to be taking strides with his next meticulously crafted live-action horror feature. According to Deadline, producers are in early talks to bring in Moon Knight’s Oscar Isaac, Spider-Man: No Way Home’s Andrew Garfield, and Ti West’s X and Pearl star Mia Goth. Nothing is super official just yet, and the streaming giant hasn’t confirmed, but that kind of casting news could instantly put the filmmaker’s Frankenstein near the top of the most anticipated Netflix movies on the way. 

At this still early point in the process, Del Toro is reportedly still toiling away on bringing the script together, though it’s not entirely certain how he’ll be adapting Mary Shelley’s iconic story, as far as whether it will be faithfully set in the historical timeline, or if it will be more of a modern reimagining. It’s reported that the actors haven’t yet received any formal offers to join the cast, but that the director has indeed met with each of them. It’s said that each is interested and inclined to join in on the monstrous fun. 

Mia Goth — whose horror creds also include A Cure for Wellness, 2018’s Suspiria remake, Marrowbone and new-to-2023 release Infinity Pool — is understandably believed to be in line to take on the role of Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s love interest, though the context of their romance is up to anyone’s imagination. As much as I’m sure Del Toro would love to turn Goth into his own version of the Bride of Frankenstein, the specifics of that character and other details fall into copyrighted territories, so he’ll maybe need to stick closer to the source material in that respect.

Meanwhile, it's unknown who would be playing the maddest doctor of them all, Victor Frankenstein, between Isaac and Garfield. It's also not known exactly who the other actor would be portraying, though it's safe to bet that an Igor-esque assistant would be involved. Considering his highly acclaimed performance in FX's Under the Banner of Heaven, Garfield would also be a solid choice for whatever community leader eventually steps in to try and thwart the doc's resurrection-minded efforts, and/or to destroy the abomination that's eventually created. But then he's also tall, so he'll probably be the Monster.

News of this project may or may not conflict with other upcoming movies and shows that the rumored star trio have lined up. Just this week, Oscar Isaac was announced as a lead in Amazon Studios' drama Helltown, which will explore Kurt Vonnegut's early adult life before becoming a legendary author.  Also this week, Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh are set to co-star in a new romantic comedy feature called We Live in Time. And then fans can expect to see Mia Goth at some point in the near-ish future in the third film of Ti West's southern fried porn trilogy MaXXXine.

Not to mention the fact that Del Toro himself is reportedly working on another stop-motion animated feature called The Buried Giant, for which he's currently co-writing the script, and is set to eventully direct. Given how long it takes to pull that kind of movie together, horror fans would no doubt like to see him bring Frankenstein to the operating table first. 

We'll have to wait and see if and when Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein will come alive...aliiiiiive...but there are lots of ways to utilize a Netflix subscription until then, so don't miss out!

In Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool, co-stars Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth are front and center in scenes of graphic sex and violence – and it’s not precisely a brand new thing for either star. In their careers, both actors have demonstrated a bold willingness to take part in cinematic extremes, with standout titles from their respective resumes including the heated HBO vampire series True Blood, the witchcraft-centric remake of Suspiria, the dark remake of Straw Dogs, the horrors of X and Pearl (soon to be followed by MaXXXine), and The Northman.

Not all performers are necessarily willing to go to the places that Skarsgård and Goth do, and I recently asked the pair about that aspect of their work.

I interviewed the two actors this week during the virtual press day for Infinity Pool and took the opportunity to inquire about their histories with cinematic sex and violence. I asked if it was a case of them going after certain projects, or certain projects finding them, and Goth said that it’s a bit less specific than that for her. Instead, she explained that the films she makes are those that find her at the right time in her life. Said Goth,

Continuing, Mia Goth added that while cinematic sex and violence may be extreme, we live in what could be described as an extreme world, and she finds her work as a way to navigate all of it:

As for Alexander Skarsgård, he apparently sees working as an actor as a kind of therapy. In Infinity Pool, for instance, he plays a man who corrodes his soul as a tourist in the lawless world of the ultra-wealthy, and the darkness that he explores in the role of James Foster, he feels, is a healthy thing for him personally.

At the same time, however, that’s not his sole purpose as a performer. He goes to some eye-opening places, but he also works outside of those zones to learn other things about himself as an actor. Said Skarsgård,

Going further, Alexander Skarsgård added that the film and television projects he takes on are also not just about self-reflection or a demonstration of range: he wants to both have fun and challenge himself:

Audiences will certainly be impressed by just how far both Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård go in Infinity Pool, which is over-the-top and rather demented, but also a terrific social satire. The film has earned terrific reviews since its premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and it is in theaters everywhere this week. Check Fandango for your local listings and to purchase tickets.

To learn more about what’s ahead on the cinema front in the 11 months, check out our 2023 Movie Release Calendar.

If the last couple years can be taken as proper indication, filmmakers are sick of the ultra-rich, and they are letting it be known through their work. Some of the best cinema of the past year was designed to skewer the privileged and ridiculous lifestyles of multi-millionaires and billionaires – from Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion (a mystery-driven expose of wealthy morons), to Ruben Östlund’s Triangle Of Sadness (class warfare mixed with projectile vomiting), to Mark Mylod’s The Menu (a delicious eat-the-rich satire of haute cuisine).

The latest voice that has added to this growing choir is Brandon Cronenberg … and boy, is it very much his voice. It’s become clear through the writer/director’s first three films that he and his father, body horror legend David Cronenberg, share similar sensibilities towards the grotesque and obscene in their movies, and that boundary-pushing aesthetic is weaponized brilliantly in Infinity Pool, an extreme examination of the lawlessness of the affluent.

No stranger to graphic cinema, Alexander Skarsgård stars as James Foster, an author six years removed from his first published novel and struggling with writer’s block. Supporting him through this creative drought is his publishing heiress wife, Em (Cleopatra Coleman), and together they go on a vacation to the fictional country of La Tolqa hoping that James can find some inspiration. The trip initially seems like a bust, but things turn around when the protagonist meets Gabi Bauer (Mia Goth), a fan of his book who recognizes him and wishes to get to know him better.

The next day, James, Em, Gabi and Gabi’s husband, Alban (Jalil Lespert), take an unauthorized trip away from the resort where they are staying for an afternoon and night of drinking on the beach. What starts as a fun experience devolves into horror, though, as the ride back, with James at the wheel of a borrowed car, is interrupted by a fatal accident. When James is arrested, he learns of the hardcore laws in La Tolqa that would see him sentenced to death for his crime – but he simultaneously learns of a unique loophole offered by the country that he can take advantage of… provided that he can pay.

Brandon Cronenberg has created a horrifying  world you can’t look away from.

Infinity Pool will best be first enjoyed if you’re not aware of the fantastic sci-fi hook that arrives at the end of Act One, but what can be said without spoilers is that it serves as a tremendous vehicle for the movie’s central thesis. Along with a hefty dose of soul corrosion, money offers James an explicit freedom from consequence in La Tolqa, and a journey to see exactly how far the rabbit hole goes with the idea opens doors to hedonistic insanity that never permits you to get off the edge of your seat.

Cronenberg’s screenplay is outfitted with terrific escalation and pacing, and, paired with the dazzling style, there’s an argument made that subtlety is overrated.

Infinity Pool goes way over the top, but it’s a perfect fit for the statement being made.

With spinning cinematography and flashing lights that seemingly cover the full color spectrum, Infinity Pool is a literally dizzying cinematic experience that further twirls your brain around with an orgy of graphic content on its way to driving home its commentary. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival prior to its wide theatrical release, the movie certainly makes your guts churn and drop your jaw – with intense and gratuitous depictions of violence and sex – but it’s all in service of effectively raising stakes and making its point. All of the outrageousness is counterbalanced by monstrous flippancy demonstrated by the characters, and it sharpens the satire.

Some are not going to be able to stomach it. If you couldn’t handle the overload of bodily fluids in Triangle of Sadness or the blood that pours in The Menu, you’re definitely not going to handle what Infinity Pool has to offer in a trip to the cinema. If, however, you experienced the extremes of those films with a giddy smile and an appreciation for the expressed sentiments, Brandon Cronenberg has served up an early-in-the-year treat for you.

Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth both deliver remarkable and daring performances.

Such an endeavor requires bold actors, and Brandon Cronenberg found a tremendous pair in Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth: two stars well-versed in cinematic sex and violence who make for a seductive and poisonous couple in Infinity Pool. Their chemistry together is successfully electric and dangerous, as Gabi lures James into an unimaginably dark world, and Skarsgård and Goth’s performances only become more impressive as the story plays out.

There is an under-the-surface darkness to James that we can see at the outset in the film, and Skarsgård both exposes it and cultivates it in brilliant ways over the course of the character’s arc – primarily through action and emotion over literal expression. The shifting balance of reticence and excitement in him is captivating, and it leads to a conclusion that is precisely where the protagonist needs to be left.

Gabi also smells of trouble from the outset, and she doesn’t take long to prove that read correct – but Mia Goth’s job past the film’s setup is hooking James on a leash and luring him into a mysterious and mad new world, and her turn is extraordinary. Saying too much would ruin the fun of seeing the performance evolve, but the legion of horror fans that Goth earned as lauding devotees in 2022 with X and Pearl will love every minute of her work here.

Following Antiviral and Possessor, Brandon Cronenberg has continued his streak of crafting visually arresting works that shock and stun with Infinity Pool. Like with swimming in the dead of winter, you have to brace for it, but it’s quite the experience when you dive in.

After her performances last year in X and Pearl, Mia Goth has quickly cemented her place amongst the best present-day horror actors. But before we see her return in that series’ third movie, MaXXXine, Goth has joined forces with writer/director Brandon Cronenberg for Infinity Pool, which also stars Alexander Skarsgård and Cleopatra Coleman. Infinity Pool premiered at Sundance Film Festival this past weekend ahead of its January 27 release to theaters. Reviews are in for this science fiction-horror film, so let’s see if this nightmarish-sounding flick should be next on our must-see list of 2023 movies.

Infinity Pool sees author James (Alexander Skarsgård) and Em (Cleopatra Coleman) on an all-inclusive getaway in the fictional Li Tolqa, with James hoping the vacation will help him overcome his writer’s block. The couple meets Gabi (Mia Goth), and soon a tragedy befalls them, forcing James and Em to make a life-altering decision. Let’s see what the critics have to say about the film.

Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting rates Infinity Pool 4 skulls out of a possible 5, saying the director’s capability to build such levels of dread and tension, combined with the captivating performances of Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård make this sure-to-be-polarizing movie worth the watch. The critic continues: 

Those familiar with Brandon Cronenberg’s past work know his penchant for going to the extreme to make his audience uncomfortable, and this appears to be no different, as an initial cut of the film was given an NC-17 rating. Travis Hopson of Punch Drunk Critics says Antiviral and Possessor are nothing compared to the “utterly genius” Infinity Pool. The critic rates it 3.5 out of 5 stars, saying the retooled R-rated version still pushes the limits: 

Chris Evangelista of SlashFilm rates the movie 8 out of 10, saying he left the Sundance screening dizzy from the extreme gore and brutality. But the critic also said Brandon Cronenberg's movie provides him with something he's never seen before, “and that's the type of giddy high I'm always chasing.” Evangelista continues: 

Poulomi Das of The Playlist agrees with the above assessment, grading the movie an A- and saying Infinity Pool forces the viewers to give themselves to the director for an experience unlike any they’ve had before. The critic says Mia Goth proves her range, even surpassing her performance in Pearl. The review states: 

IndieWire’s Ryan Lattanzio agrees that the actors are impressive and Brandon Cronenberg has some sharp ideas, but this critic was left wanting when it comes to the execution, grading the movie a C:  

If Infinity Pool sounds like a movie you want to check out, you can do so starting on Friday, January 27 when it hits theaters. Also be sure to check out other upcoming horror movies, and if you want to see Mia Goth in one of her previous lauded performances, you can stream X with Paramount+ subscription through a Showtime add-on. 

So far, Ti West’s trilogy of terror that started with X has shocked the world on many different occasions. Its sequel, Pearl, was so impactful that even director Martin Scorsese was “deeply disturbed” by the film. As the threquel MaXXXine has made the list of upcoming horror movies the world is anticipating in the year to come, trilogy star Mia Goth has hyped the next movie up in the best way possible. 

In an interview with Empire, Goth and director Ti West were both on hand to discuss the progress on the next chapter of the horrific legacy started by the events of Pearl. While there are no dates set for production start or release, MaXXXine is already building a steady head of anticipation on the backs of those previous films. Get ready to crank up the hype machine a little more, as Mia Goth made these promising remarks:

Starting with the one, two punch of X and Pearl, director Ti West and star Mia Goth formed a foundation of sex, violence and regret that pleased fans and critics alike. Spanning from the late 1910s to the ‘70s, both porno slashers saw the respective female protagonists trying to become movie stars. That approach influenced how Ti West crafted each story’s look and feel, which made for an interesting mashup of tones and story.

With Pearl taking after Technicolor melodramas and X exploring the world of vintage porn and grindhouse-style horror, the path to MaXXXine is intriguing from the start. In his portion of the interview, Ti West explained the current status of the picture’s script, as well as what to expect for the next era of filmmaking covered in this cinematic trilogy:

As Mia Goth’s Maxine Minx is now taking center stage after the shocking ending of X, MaXXXine will see the aspiring starlet continuing to pursue the life she deserves. What that will entail is uncertain at this point, but since this is the ending of a murderous trilogy, you can probably bet that Maxine’s methods will eventually get quite bloody. 

Then again, maybe she can resist the lure of insanity that dominated Pearl’s quest for stardom. Not knowing is part of the fun, and having MaXXXine written individually could see some surprises. That's part of the advantage of the third film being written outside of the process that made X and Pearl so close in their approaches. Yet again, the world doesn't know what to expect from this bloody, sexy saga, or when the wait for new details will end.

While we’re all waiting for more information on MaXXXIne’s triumphant debut, there’s still time to catch up on the previous installments. If you’re a Paramount+ subscription holder, you’ll be able to watch X through a Showtime add-on. Though we don’t know when Pearl will be streaming, it’s a safe bet that it’ll join its fellow frightener at the streaming home for most A24 releases. 

Martin Scorsese has got a new favorite film this year, and its' actually a prequel for an ongoing film franchise. And no, it’s not Marvel, DC, or Star Wars. This award-winning director may still have his blunt opinions about Marvel films, but he has himself a strong reaction to Ti West’s Pearl- the origin story of the iconic villain from the X franchise.

You may remember Mia Goth’s X character as Pearl who grew up on a farm with dreams of stardom only to turn into a homicidal maniac. According to Slash Film, Martin Scorsese wrote his own review to A24 about how deeply affected he was by Pearl and that it even scared him.

Coming from the man who graced audiences with psychological thrillers like Cape Fear, one of Scorsese’s best movies, that really says something. As soon as Pearl’s first trailer came out, we knew we were in for a treat. It looks almost like a demented version of The Wizard of Oz if the character of Dorothy Gale took drastic measures to ensure her dreams of leaving her farm were to come true. And we already saw Mia Goth show off her acting chops in X playing her dual role of young porn star “Max” and the elderly murderer Pearl. I wouldn’t be surprised if it took you until the film’s final act to realize these two characters were played by the same people. 

With Martin Scorsese being an avid cinephile who made stars of many actors and has his own list of global movies to see, it’s no wonder he has his strong opinions about Marvel films. He’s said before that he feels Marvel films offer the same feelings you would experience at a theme park but it doesn’t necessarily do a great job at conveying “emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.” Scorsese further clarified his controversial comments by saying that Marvel movies offer a different cinematic experience compared to what he considers a narrative film. 

With even further explanation, the Raging Bull director stated that while cinematic elements exist in Marvel movies, it’s lacking “revelation, mystery or genuine emotional danger.” Clearly, Martin Scorsese has his own definition of what cinema is. But then again, so do the Avengers: Endgame’s Russo Brothers with their explanation that they are not wrong in their definition of what a movie is and neither is Scorsese. They have their own elements to fit on the big screen and so does Scorsese.

It looks like Martin Scorsese defines Pearl as true cinema. It’s definitely not a Marvel movie, but it shows that movies really are subjective. What is cinema to one person may be a movie to another. For a better grasp at what it is about Pearl that’s got Martin Scorsese trembling in his sleep, you can see A24’s new movie release in theaters now.

TV and movie franchises build their brands, to a certain extent, on familiarity and lack of surprise. It never takes long for development on the sequel to the latest runaway hit or comic book movie to get underway, provided the crowds flocked to the previous entry. Co-writer/director Ti West sidestepped that conventional wisdom thanks to his latest film, Pearl, being secretly filmed right after he’d finished its thematic successor, X. Luckily for him the decision paid off, as crowds that loved the previously-released porno slasher were hungry for more. 

Pearl takes us all back to where the X saga began, as its titular character (Mia Goth) starts coming into her own. Living on the remote farm we see her lording over in the ‘70s, our future murderer is a farmer’s daughter who wants to become famous for singing and dancing. If it wasn’t for her strict mother Ruth (Tandi Wright) and her ill father (Matthew Sunderland), Pearl just might be able to live the life she truly feels she deserves. That very notion is tested throughout the film, and to some interesting extents.

As a prequel, there is indeed only so many surprises we should expect from Pearl’s fun house ride of horror. Yet Ti West and co-writer/star Mia Goth have once again knocked it out of the park with this retro-throwback. Trading in the grime and grindhouse edge of X for the old school Hollywood aesthetic that our murderous maiden loves so much, Pearl sheds its own share of blood and tears in beautiful, melodramatic technicolor.

Pearl differs from X in tone and genre, but not in execution.

Noting the differences between X and Pearl is super important, especially when selling audiences who loved the former on why they should see the latter. Again, this prequel installment is something that’s rooted deeply in the movies of Hollywood’s Golden Age in the ‘20s and ‘30s. That expectation is set from the first frame, as the doors to the barn that housed one of X’s infamous kills open to a fresh faced farm that’s dripping with color. 

Just as his previous entry dove into its influences with all of its heart, Pearl is just as committed to the heightened drama that makes up Pearl’s very life. This time out, drama and musicals are the genres that comprise the DNA which drives this horror laced story to its killer conclusion. Once again coiling up to strike with the fun and bloody, Ti West actually breaks the audience’s heart while revving up Pearl’s murderous tendencies. 

Indulging in the hallmarks many a golden oldie has been known to use, Pearl includes dancing, romance and intense arguments to twist its narrative knife. Living with the limitations others put upon her, Pearl slowly starts to become more determined to prove everyone wrong. Using that plot line as its foundation, it’s a fresh case of starting the movie off with one genre, only to be plunged straight into another towards the end. The concept still works like a charm once again thanks to the immense talent of Mia Goth. 

Mia Goth’s command over the character of Pearl only deepens, creating some showstopping moments of drama and tension.

Earning her first writing credit with Pearl, Mia Goth collaborated even more with co-writer/director Ti West on carving out another story to tell with her X character. No longer needing the full body prosthetics that aged her into the ‘70s incarnation of her protagonist, Goth gets to show a sunnier, more frisky Pearl in the prime of her youth. While she eventually becomes the lethal force we know and love, there’s a lot more at play with this story in particular.

Fulfilling the promise of an ideal prequel, Pearl gives us the backstory that was teased in the entry previously released. Rather than talking about the promise of her early years, we actually see Mia Goth’s would-be actor doing everything she can to make her dreams come true. One could rightfully question if they’d been baited and switched if it wasn’t for the fact that the signs of Pearl’s increasingly unstable nature are still very much presented in those more classically dramatic moments. 

Adapting to her environment like the character she returns to, Mia Goth has some really showstopping moments in Pearl that aren’t merely about blood and guts. Most impressively, a lengthy monologue that finds its way into the third act had me riveted to the screen. Flexing the most classic Hollywood muscle of all, Ti West and Goth have given us a deeper look into the life of Pearl; and what we see only makes her more identifiable in the long run. It doesn’t totally kill the sense that things are going to go south in the most deadly way possible, but thanks to moments like that, Mia Goth lures the audience into the exact corner she wants them in before she strikes.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with its predecessor, Pearl loves and cares for its genre influences just as much as X.

When X ended, the experience was punctuated by an adrenaline-fueled ending, complete with an appropriate Robert Palmer needle drop. Pearl was never going to end that way, with the uneasy dread of knowing where this character eventually ends up lending even more foreboding. You’re not just getting more of the same in this particular prequel, as Ti West wasn’t satisfied with merely filling in some gaps with Pearl’s life story. 

Thanks to a fresh playground of genre influences in play, Pearl has just as much fun as X did before it. Wearing its heart on its shoulder, this shift makes for yet another fantastic descent into madness and horror that isn’t merely repeating a formula. Giving everyone more details about one of this trilogy’s central figures, Ti West and Mia Goth also use this opportunity to have a different type of fun, which just happens to include some actually riveting drama. 

It’s no secret that West has been planning a third, and potentially final, entry in the trilogy that started with X. As MaXXXine has been announced as in the works, it looks like the other would-be starlet played by Mia Goth is going to be the center of attention. Now that Pearl has arrived, some details might be easy to fill in thanks to the trajectory of this cautionary tale.

However, this prequel also reinforces that just as you think you know the full story of anyone in this universe, there are a whole bunch of surprises waiting along the path traveled to get all the details. While Pearl may have started life as a spur of the moment thought which developed into a full movie, it feels like it’s always been planned and budgeted for from the word 'go.' Ti West’s ability to pull this picture together on such a short notice is another testament to his talent, and it still has me hooked for whatever happens next. 

SPOILER ALERT: The following article contains crucial plot points from X all throughout. You might wanna get busy with the recent horror favorite if you have not already before you read about all the dirty details below.

I don’t know about you, but it was not until the credits began to roll on my first time watching 2022’s X — one of A24’s best horror movies yet — when I realized that Mia Goth actually played two characters: adult film star-in-the-making Maxine and unhinged senior citizen Pearl. Immediately, I was mystified over what writer and director Ti West’s intention was behind this unusual double-casting and initially assumed it was merely to reinforce the otherwise grisly slasher’s thoughtful themes of elders longing for their youth and the divisive nature of generational gaps. However, as theater-goers would learn from a post-credits teaser, it was also a means to see Goth come back for the film’s upcoming prequel.

The British actor reprises her older X character (with far less makeup this time) as the title role of a new horror film that explores Pearl’s life years before the events of the 1979-set horror flick. In fact, Goth co-wrote the script for the origin story with West — which, to me, is very telling of how committed she is to the role and to making this new film a killer, character-driven experience. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves before Pearl hits theaters on Friday, September 16, 2022, and, instead, prepare ourselves by taking a closer look back at what we already know about the character.

Pearl Grew Up With Dreams Of Stardom

After the X cast (also including Brittany Snow, Martin Henderson, Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi, Owen Campbell, and reigning Scream Queen Jenna Ortega) arrives at a farm in rural Texas owned by an elderly couple to secretly film a porno called The Farmer’s Daughters, Maxine shares a glass of lemonade with the lady of the house, Pearl. The already awkward moment gets weirder as Pearl enviously reveals her similarity to the young hopeful starlet (outside of being played by the same actor) having once been an aspiring entertainer herself and, more specifically, a dancer.

We see glimpses of this stage in Pearl’s life from the trailer for her upcoming, self-titled origin story, which shows her auditioning for what appears to be a stage play in front of a panel of casting directors looking for, as Henderson’s Wayne also called it in X, “X factor.” The teaser also sees the character giving her all in some elaborately choreographed dance numbers. However, I would not be surprised if those lavish scenes turned out to be a fantasy that further fuels her envious bloodlust… but more on that later.

Pearl Is Married To A World War I Veteran

Before we meet Pearl in X, we meet her husband, Howard — played by Australian Lord of the Rings star Stephen Ure, who, like Mia Goth as his onscreen wife, is not as old as his character. While he takes an immediate dislike to Wayne and the rest of his film crew — perhaps for no other reason than their youth — he does manage to have some form of a bond with Scott Mescudi’s character, Jackson, having both served in the Army. While Jackson is a Vietnam War veteran, Howard can claim to have seen the First and Second World Wars with his own eyes.

We may be able to see World War I through Howard’s eyes in Pearl, which takes place in 1918 and features a younger version of the character played Alistair Sewell from Netflix’s The Power of the Dog cast. According to THR’s review, Howard is away for much of the film serving his country while Pearl suffers from separation anxiety on both an emotional and sexual level. That actually brings us to our next point.

Pearl Is Sexually Frustrated

Keen-eyed horror fans know that there is more to X than blood and dismemberment (even though there is more than plenty of it), as it's really a story of about the trials of aging and how it may affect one’s sex life. Coming face-to-face with the film’s younger and sexually active characters causes Pearl to long for her glory days and for the sexual satisfaction that her husband can no longer provide due to his health. It actually makes her more empathetic — when she is not making overt advances toward Maxine and R.J. (Owen Campbell), that is — and gives a certain sweetness to the otherwise intense and scary moment in which Maxine is trapped under a bed that Pearl and Howard finally make love in.

Pearl’s sexuality will also play a role in the prequel, as seen by a few key clips from the trailer. The most evident is one moment that foreshadows her later association with the porn industry in X, in which she watches what appears to be a primitive adult film from a projectionist booth and asks the projectionist (David Corenswet) if it is legal, to which he replies, “It will be eventually.” Her curiosity for this kind of art clearly never faltered but, by the time she reached the age she is in X, it would supposedly curdle into an envious rage.

Pearl Is A Homicidal Maniac

X introduces the latest of cinema’s greatest female horror movie villains in the form of Pearl, who kills almost all of the cast and crew of The Farmer’s Daughters with the help of Howard, excluding final girl Maxine. Because each of her murderous acts (from decapitating R.J. to keeping what seems to be a mutilated sex slave in the basement) appear to be in reaction to her own sexual hang-ups, you could come to the conclusion that her motivation is jealousy toward these sexually active youths intruding on her home. However, that is not quite the case after all.

As the trailer for Pearl reveals, the character has been experiencing murderous tendencies (and acting on them) since her youth, but the root cause does not appear to be sexual frustration. She seems to hold resentment toward her ailing father (Matthew Sunderland) and domineering mother (Tandi Wright) for stifling her ambitions toward fame, based on an outright confession to her projectionist friend that her life might be better “if only they would just die.” Subsequent, graphic clips from the teaser suggest that at least one of her dreams will come true in the end.

An Alligator Lives In Pearl’s Pond

Two of the most memorable moments from X involve an alligator in a pond on Howard and Pearl’s farmland. Earlier in the film, Maxine unwittingly takes a swim with the reptile in the daytime and, near the end, Pearl feeds Bobby-Lynne (Brittany Snow) to it after the unassuming young actor offered to help her back to bed. For anyone hoping we might see more of this beast in Pearl, you are in luck… well, sort of.

While it might not be the same exact alligator from X — considering the animal typically lives just 30-50 years — Pearl’s trailer reveals that an alligator does appear in the film as an accomplice to the title character’s bloody rampage. What we can confirm, however, is that the alligator lives in the same pond from X, which means that Howard and Pearl’s farm is the one she also grew up on with her parents. I guess home is where the horror is.

Horror movie prequels (let alone sequels) are not usually something that fans get particularly excited about, but with the 18th-Century-set sci-fi thriller Prey and Isabelle Fuhrmann’s return to the role of Esther in Orphan: First Kill appearing on the 2022 movies schedule, it has been a surprisingly good year for them so far. Perhaps Pearl will carry on that streak.

Earlier this year, writer/director Ti West’s X made a passionate and gory splash on the horror scene. Weaving a story both twisted and romantic, porn and murder made for a couple that won fans and critics alike. So when the surprise prequel Pearl was announced as an upcoming movie, newly won converts were anxious for more. Thanks to a new trailer dropping for the Mia Goth starring film, we now know when to expect this next chapter, and it looks just as wild and wonderful as the story that spawned it.

Studio A24 recently teased the arrival of Pearl’s new trailer on social media, just as sneakily as the film as announced at X’s SXSW premiere. While there was also a teaser attached to the theatrical release of X, this trailer is a bit more extensive, featuring callbacks to the film that proceeded it. Lines about "that 'X' factor" and becoming a big star are present throughout, teasing the minds of those who can't get that movie out of their heads. 

As we already knew Pearl is the story of the titular woman (Mia Goth) and the origins of her psychosexual killing spree that we saw conclude with X’s ending. Showcasing a younger Pearl, as well as a more old Hollywood aesthetic, it's another case of a woman that has stars in her eyes. Cue the musical number fantasies...and randomly exploding people?

The big difference is, this story of a young starlet who goes from her name in lights to vicious blood splatters is told with the same protagonist embodying both sides of the coin. Even more exciting is the fact that when it comes to this new entry in X’s ever expanding story, Mia Goth actually scored a co-writing credit with Ti West. Seeing as she knows that character inside out, prosthetics and all, that only stokes the fires of anticipation even more.  

Pearl has been lying low since the secret SXSW announcement earlier this year. Part of a planned trilogy that Ti West has laid out, this precursor chapter was filmed simultaneously with the production of X. Which is how and why West got the jump on everyone by promising more carnage so soon after that movie had made its festival premiere.  

While the concept’s approach is wildly different from the deep fried ‘70s porno/grindhouse vibe X gave off, Pearl is an exciting prospect because of being so different, yet tied to the same story. Also, how can you turn down a movie that has such a poster of gleeful madness like the one we’re about to share with you below?

Pearl is ready for her close up this fall, as the film is set to hit theaters on September 16th! Thankfully, that’s not the only upcoming horror movie that’s headed to theaters in the near future, so you genre fans out there are encouraged to keep an eye on that lineup for any changes or additions in the future. Who knows what other surprises are lurking in the depths of cinematic darkness? 

Ti West is finally back with another horror movie after a decade of other projects. His new film, X, features what sounds like a formulaic setup for a throwback ‘70s horror flick: A film crew drives out to a remote Texas farmhouse to shoot a porn while trying not to raise suspicions of their elderly hosts. It’s probably safe to say there will be sex and there will be blood. X premiered March 13 at the SXSW Film Festival, and the reviews are in. What are critics saying about West’s latest project?

The movie Mia Goth, Brittany Snow and Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi) as the adult film stars, Martin Henderson as manager Wayne, and Jenna Ortega and Owen Campbell as the film crew. X clocks in at just 105 minutes, so let’s see how much horror the critics are saying Ti West was able to pack into that run time, starting with our own CinemaBlend review. Mike Reyes rates the slasher 4 out of 5 stars, saying writer/director Ti West has put together a slow burn that sets the stakes for each character before a satisfying payoff: 

Owen Gleiberman of Variety says X succeeds where many movies trying to emulate The Texas Chain Saw Massacre fail. It’s not just a cheap imitation, however. This review says X is a deliberate tribute with “genuine mood and skill and flavor”:

David Crow of Den of Geek agrees with the other reviews that this ode to  an era of horror succeeds in keeping audiences uncomfortable by withholding its most horrible images until the audience least expects them: 

Patrick Cavanaugh of ComicBook.com rates X a perfect 5 out of 5, commending Ti West on his return to horror movies with one of the best horror films of the year and arguably West’s best project to date:

Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting rates it 4.5 skulls out of 5, saying Ti West’s deceptively simple setup gives way to a go-for-broke horror-comedy that leaves you breathless, both from laughter and nail-biting tension. And what about the kills?

The critics seem to agree on X being a tense, bloody and masterfully done tribute to slasher horror. 

If you’re a fan of the genre, you can catch X in theaters starting Friday, March 18, and be sure to check out our 2022 Movie Release Schedule to see what other movies are coming soon.

Ever since famous people have existed, so have celebrity couples. There’s something about seeing well-known actors paired together that captures the attention of the general public. Shia LaBeouf has definitely made headlines for his romantic partners, including ex-wife Mia Goth. And it turns out that LaBeouf and Goth are expecting a child together.

Mia Goth and Shia LaBeouf have been romantically linked for years, with the two meeting on the set of 2012’s Nymphomaniac. They later got married, before eventually filing for divorce. But the pair of actors are back together, and now it looks like they’ll be welcoming their first child into the world.

This latest report comes to us from People, and is sure to take the internet by storm. The news came just a few days ago when Mia Goth was photographed by paparazzi while rocking a baby bump. And since she’s been back together with Shia LaBeouf for some time, the public quickly did the math. Looks like their reunion is stronger than ever, as the duo are seemingly about to start a family together.

And just like that, the relationship between Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth continues to capture the attention of the public. Following the beginning of their divorce proceedings, the Suspiria actress and Transformers icon were rumored to be reconciling back in 2020. Just like the reveal of their upcoming baby, many of the updates have come thanks to paparazzi. For instance, the internet definitely took notice when Goth went back to wearing her wedding band.

It seems like congratulations are in order, with Shia LaBeouf making headlines for happy reasons for once. The 35-year-old actor has been the subject of a number of controversies and arrests over the years, and these haven’t slowed down recently. One such lawsuit is still seemingly ongoing to this day.

During the time Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth were split up, he started dating recording artist and actress FKA Twigs. While they worked together on his movie Honey Boy, they split in 2019. And in 2020, she filed a lawsuit against her former partner, accusing him of sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress. She’s maintained that the suit isn’t about money, but an attempt to make sure other women aren’t treated the same way.

The news on that lawsuit has been quiet as of late, making way for some happy news like Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth’s pregnancy. The pair of actors haven’t officially made a statement, but perhaps that will come after the photos of Goth’s baby bump continue to circulate online. 

Career-wise, recently appeared alongside Anya Taylor-Joy in Emma, in addition to a few upcoming roles. As for Shia LaBeouf, he starred opposite Vanessa Kirby in Pieces of a Woman. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Leave it to Shia LaBeouf to have a wedding that's anything but traditional. The Disney kid-turned-movie star-turned-avante garde performance artist got married in Las Vegas on Monday afternoon to his longtime girlfriend Mia Goth. Check out the video of the nuptials below.

The surprise wedding was held in the Viva Las Vegas chapel and officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator, TMZ reports.

Shia LaBeouf appears elated in the video, as he claps along to the music and raises his arm to the sky after he is told to kiss the bride. It also appears as though the couple were wed without family or friends present, as only a very sparse smattering of applause can be heard in the video after LaBeouf and Mia Goth kiss.

Shia LaBeouf began dating Mia Goth in 2012. They met on the set of the art film Nymphomaniac: Volume II, which served as Goth's acting debut. The film also marked a noted departure for LaBeouf, who began transitioning away from blockbuster action films such as Transformers and Indiana Jones and towards smaller arthouse films and his own performance art projects.

Around this time last year, Shia LaBeouf and Maria Goth were also making headlines, but for much different reasons. While in Germany together, LaBeouf and Goth erupted into a public fight on the street, and LaBeouf stated that he "would have killed her" had he not been separated from Goth by a cab driver. But the couple seemed to make up pretty quickly afterwards, as Goth was spotted wearing a diamond engagement ring at the start of 2016, which spurred rumors that LaBeouf had proposed to her. Of course, now it seems that those rumors were true.

Mia Goth has been Shia LaBeouf's only notable romantic partner since he stepped away from franchise films and began experimenting in art. LaBeouf has made waves in recent years for his bizarre performance art pieces, which have included wearing a paper bag over his head reading "I Am Not Famous Anymore" on a red carpet, screaming "Do It!" repeatedly in a viral video project, and renting out a New York theater to watch every movie he'd ever acted in for a three-day marathon.

Before Mia Goth, Shia LaBeouf dated his The Greatest Game Ever Played costar China Brezner throughout the mid-2000s, and then his Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps costar Carey Mulligan in 2009. LaBeouf said that he and Mulligan split up because they were focused on different lifestyles, telling the Sunday Morning Times that she was more interested in marriage than he was. In that 2012 interview, he went on to say something that should make his new bride Mia Goth very happy: that he's only getting married once.

Well, I'll give him this much --- this will definitely be a wedding he'll remember. Congrats to the newlyweds!