Pearl (2022) Review

Pearl, the highly acclaimed prequel to Ti West’s X, is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of ambition, madness, and the darker side of the American Dream. Released mere months after its predecessor, Pearl dives deep into the backstory of its titular character, offering audiences a glimpse into the origins of the sinister figure they met in X.

Set in 1918, the film transports us to a world ravaged by the Spanish flu pandemic and the aftermath of World War I. The film’s protagonist, Pearl (Mia Goth), is a young woman living on a remote farm with her strict German mother (Tandi Wright) and her paralysed father (Matthew Sunderland). Her husband, Howard, is away fighting in the war. Pearl dreams of escaping her monotonous life to become a movie star, an aspiration fueled by the films she obsessively watches and the fantasies she concocts while performing for the farm animals.

West masterfully juxtaposes the grim reality of Pearl’s life with her vibrant dreams of stardom. The film’s Technicolor style, reminiscent of the 1930s Depression-era escapism, creates a visually stunning contrast between Pearl’s fantasies and her harsh reality. This stylistic choice not only enhances the narrative but also pays homage to the golden age of Hollywood, a time when many sought refuge in the glitz and glamour of the silver screen. As with X, House of the Devil and Maxxxine, West has perfected the art of making ‘period’ horror, and Pearl is the most ambitious study yet.

One of the film’s most striking elements is its use of color and cinematography. The lush, sincere colors reminiscent of Douglas Sirk’s melodramas and the Max Steiner-esque score create an almost dreamlike quality that underscores the surreal nature of Pearl’s experiences. West’s direction is confident and assured, seamlessly blending horror and dark comedy to create a film that is both unsettling and oddly beautiful.

The performances in Pearl are nothing short of spectacular. Mia Goth delivers a powerhouse performance, capturing the innocence, ambition, and eventual delirium of her character. Goth’s portrayal of Pearl is both sympathetic and terrifying, a delicate balance that adds depth to the character and makes her descent into insanity all the more compelling. Tandi Wright’s portrayal of Ruth, Pearl’s overbearing mother, is equally impressive. Wright brings a sternness and severity to the role that perfectly complements Goth’s more unhinged performance.

The film’s narrative is a slow burn, meticulously building tension as Pearl’s ambitions clash with her reality. West’s screenplay delves into themes of repression, jealousy, and the insidious nature of unfulfilled dreams. Pearl’s interactions with the suave projectionist (David Corenswet) offer a tantalising glimpse of the life she yearns for but can never attain. The projectionist’s introduction of explicit stag films from Europe serves as a stark reminder of the dichotomy between Pearl’s fantasies and her brutal reality.

Pearl also draws interesting parallels with X, particularly in its exploration of the conflict between sexual liberation and conservative values. While X depicted the violent clash between a group of young filmmakers and an elderly couple, Pearl offers a deeper understanding of the motivations behind the older characters’ actions. The film subtly critiques the societal norms that stifle ambition and repress desire, suggesting that Pearl’s eventual descent into extreme violence is as much a product of her environment as it is of her inherent madness.

The film’s climax is a tour de force of emotion and horror. Pearl’s harrowing confession to her absent husband, delivered in a spellbinding one-take closeup, is a standout moment that encapsulates the character’s tragic complexity. Watching one monologue in the second-to-last act, one wonders how Goth or the film missed the recognition of the Academy in 2023. Goth’s performance in this scene is nothing short of mesmerizing, capturing the full spectrum of Pearl’s emotions in a way that is both heart-wrenching and chilling. One wonders how Goth or the film missed the recognition of the Academy in 2023.

Pearl is not just a prequel; it’s a richly layered character study that adds depth and nuance to the world Ti West created in X. It’s a film that explores the dark side of the American Dream, the price of unfulfilled ambition, and the thin line between sanity and hysteria. West’s direction, combined with Goth’s stellar performance, creates a film that is both a thrilling horror movie and a poignant tragedy.

For those who enjoyed X, Pearl is a must-watch. It’s a film that enhances and enriches the narrative of its predecessor while standing on its own as a compelling and beautifully crafted piece of cinema. With MaXXXine on the horizon, it’s clear that Ti West has created a trilogy that is as ambitious and unique as its characters. Pearl is a haunting, visually stunning, and emotionally resonant film that stands as one of the most powerful and memorable films I’ve seen in years.

Movie Rating:

Pearl trailer