Ti West Challenges Hollywood’s Horror Prejudice With ‘MaXXXine’

Ti West has recently spoken out about Hollywood’s historical disdain for the horror genre, aligning his comments with the release of his latest film, ‘MaXXXine.’ This third instalment in the X series stars Mia Goth, who is swiftly gaining recognition as a modern scream queen. West’s remarks have reignited the conversation about the Oscars and the Academy’s long-standing tendency to overlook horror performances.

Mia Goth’s exceptional performance in Pearl, the prequel to ‘MaXXXine,’ has been a focal point in these discussions. Despite her undeniable talent and the film’s positive reception, horror often remains sidelined during award seasons. On tour for ‘MaXXXin’e, West didn’t hold back his opinions, fuelling the debate on this persistent issue within the industry. His candid remarks have added a provocative edge to the promotional tour, challenging industry norms and advocating for horror’s recognition as a legitimate and impactful genre.

Also Read: ‘MaXXXine’: A Bold Homage to Brian De Palma’s Cinematic Legacy

With Mia Goth leading the charge, ‘MaXXXine’ aims to entertain and push the boundaries of horror in the eyes of critics and audiences alike. This tour is more than just promoting a film; it’s about defending the genre’s place in the cinematic landscape.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, West discussed the Academy’s somewhat snobbish attitude towards genre films, particularly horror. When asked about Mia Goth’s outstanding performances in ‘Pearl’ and ‘MaXXXine’ and whether the Academy might reconsider its stance on horror, West suggested that it all depends on the film and its marketing strategy. He believes that even an excellent performance doesn’t automatically guarantee an award nomination, highlighting the extensive effort required to secure such recognition.

In recent years, the film industry has begun to shift its perspective on the horror genre. It just needs to embrace this shift more fully, acknowledging the genre’s worth. A24’s contributions to arthouse horror have been remarkable, with their works increasingly recognised as award-worthy. Fortunately, the term “elevated horror” has faded, and critics no longer need an excuse to acknowledge that horror can be creative and significant from an academic viewpoint.

It’s only a matter of time before films like ‘MaXXXine’ make it onto award ballots. Some horror advocates have done an excellent job of raising the pertinent question: What is the Academy so afraid of when it comes to horror? Regardless of the genre, a performance is a performance. So why were Lupita Nyong’o or Toni Collette overlooked for their roles in ‘Us’ and ‘Hereditary,’ respectively? While horror films rarely win significant awards, there have been notable exceptions like ‘Misery,’ ‘The Exorcist,’ ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ and ‘The Silence of the Lambs,’ which swept the big five Oscars.