Kevin Bacon Discusses Returning to Horror in Ti West’s New Movie ‘MaXXXine’

When you think of Kevin Bacon, you might picture his iconic dance moves in ‘Footloose.’ But did you know that he’s also a seasoned actor in the horror genre? With roles in films like ‘Tremors’ (1990), ‘Hollow Man’ (2000), ‘The Darkness’ (2016) and ‘You Should Have Left’ (2020), Bacon has quite the horror resume. Now, he’s set to return to his horror roots in Ti West’s upcoming film ‘MaXXXine,’ which he describes as a “full circle” moment.

‘MaXXXine’ is the third instalment in Ti West’s horror franchise, following ‘X’ and ‘Pearl.’ This series has established Mia Goth as the ultimate scream queen, and Bacon’s addition to the cast brings an exciting dynamic. In an interview with CBR, Bacon reflected on his return to horror, admitting that his initial foray into the genre was more about necessity than interest.

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“I mean, literally, I was a waiter, and I wanted to do this movie – that was just because I had to,” he said. Over time, however, his perspective changed. “I like it! I like the genre – I’m a consumer of it – and also, I like the fact that it’s life and death! I like the stakes. High stakes are something that’s great for an actor,” Bacon explained.

For Bacon, ‘MaXXXine’ is particularly nostalgic. Set in 1985, the film mirrors an era he lived through, adding a personal touch to his experience. “I was there, in Hollywood, in that car that Maxine drives!” he said, adding that as an East Coast person, the whole experience felt “trippy.”

Elizabeth Debicki, who stars alongside Bacon, plays Elizabeth Bender, the director of the film within the film. She describes her character as a “harder egg to crack.” Debicki told CBR she relished the complexity of her role. “I really just loved the role, and I understood that my piece of the story was to sort of protect and champion Mia [Goth] – you know, Maxine,” she said.

Debicki’s character, she revealed, is a “source of good” in disguise, a trait viewers will come to understand by the film’s end. She emphasised the importance of the female-to-female relationship between her character and Goth’s Maxine, noting how significant it felt within the genre and the film. “So yeah – I just really enjoyed it!” Debicki added, also praising her co-star Mia Goth.