Ti West has dedicated the past four and a half years to creating a genre-spanning horror franchise centered around the characters of Pearl and Maxine. The series started with the slasher flick 'X' and continued with a prequel called 'Pearl,' both filmed back-to-back in New Zealand during the pandemic and released in 2022. The trilogy concludes with the recently premiered 'MaXXXine,' a thriller set in the '80s. The films share a connected story, location, and some cast members, providing a cohesive viewing experience. West's decision to go bigger with each installment led to increased scale and ambition, culminating in 'MaXXXine,' set in Hollywood with a star-studded cast. Each film stands on its own, but together they form a rich and interconnected story that can be enjoyed individually or as a whole. The unique naming scheme of the franchise was inspired by the characters' names, with 'X,' 'Pearl,' and 'MaXXXine' reflecting the evolution and distinctiveness of each film in the trilogy.