“Pearl” Review
Mia Goth shines as Pearl who succumbs to a murderous path in this prequel to “X,” released earlier this year.
When it comes to horror this year, one of my favorite films was easily Ti West’s “X” which was a fun slasher with the surreal touch I’d expect from an A24 film. However, the film’s surprises didn’t stop when the film’s protagonist Maxine drove away from the night’s bloodshed. After the film’s credits, a surprise trailer was revealed showing that Ti West had already made a prequel film which was going to be released later this year. Now, “Pearl” has arrived and it is a truly outstanding horror film, standing apart from “X” with a shift in style that makes for one scary double feature.
Set in 1918, 60 years before the events of “X,” the film shows us what Pearl (Mia Goth), the murderous antagonist from “X,” was like and what led her to becoming a killer. While she has ambitions to leave her family farm and become a dancer in silent films, there is a growing darkness inside of her which threatens to consume her.
At the heart of this film is Mia Goth who commanded the screen earlier this year as both Maxine and the elderly Pearl in “X,” making for one of the best dual performances I’ve seen in a long time. Now, Goth is portraying Pearl as a young woman and it’s clear that she has a true understanding of this character which led her and director Ti West to co-write the screenplay. While you don’t support the things Pearl does in this film and what she’s going to do in “X,” Goth’s mesmerizing performance allows you to empathize with Pearl while slowly being horrified by her actions.
As opposed to “X,” which perfectly combined an old school slasher with modern horror sensibilities, “Pearl” is more of a character study. While there are kills just as graphic as the ones in “X,” what’s far more disturbing is Pearl’s descent into her own madness. You feel so sorry for her as she’s bullied by her domineering mother (Tandi Wright) and is given few opportunities in life, but what she decides to do makes for a film which has you on the edge of your seat.
Goth’s performance is nothing short of captivating as you feel both empathy and repulsion by this character.
The film is also visually stunning with bright colors in contrast with the shadowy nighttime setting of “X.” The gorgeous colors and beautiful landscapes are in sharp contrast with Pearl’s actions which makes for an even greater cinematic experience. While he has been making quality films for quite some time, this year has established Ti West as a unique voice in horror.
What works so well about the film is how well it stands apart from “X.” You can watch the films together but it’s not essential. Both are great horror films in their own right but together they offset each other perfectly and make for a unique film series that we didn’t even know we wanted. Just like “X,” “Pearl” also has a post credits trailer that was a sheer delight to discover. All I can say is, if there is another film in this series coming soon, I’ll be waiting.
