For those who have seen Ti West’s X and were begging for Pearl’s background story, that is exactly what they will get with the follow-up prequel, Pearl. For those who have not yet seen X, we suggest waiting at this point, and checking out Pearl first, as it is the perfect lead in.
This film stands completely alone, making it not necessary at all to see the first release before diving into it. Sure, there are a few jokes here and there that are thrown in for fans of X, but it doesn’t take away from the movie-going experience if you haven’t seen it yet.
Pearl tells the story of a young farm girl with big dreams of becoming a dancer — and strange habits. She is repressed and willing to do just about anything to get off that farm and out into the world. What follows is a detailed look at what can best be described as psychotic tendencies.
Pearl is shot like a much older film, which is another reason it plays out so well. It looks cheery and fun, but it is anything but. Instead, it is dark and sinister, heightened largely by the score.
Mia Goth that is the stand out here. Of course this movie is about her, so it makes sense that she is at the forefront of it all. But just the way her demeaner can change from one scene to the next proves just how well she understands this character.
Toward the end of the movie there is a monologue which Goth absolutely crushes. That is the moment that we knew Pearl has solidified herself as one of the most iconic killers such as Freddy Kruger and Michael Myers.
4 out of 5