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A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days on my Nintendo Switch, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
Ti West’s new horror film Pearl is a fascinating case in the world of cinema. The film is not only a prequel to West’s early-2022 hit slasher, X, but it greatly benefits from a “shared universe” concept that so many film studios covet. Deeper backstories for characters, detailed callbacks, and thematic camera angles all come into play here. Interestingly enough, Pearl actually made X a better film for me in ways that I had not expected, which for me, at least, is quite unprecedented. Yet, with all of that being said, the most exciting development at the center of this demented, gore-filled universe is in fact the bona fide star of both films: Mia Goth.
A Star is Scorned
Mia Goth quite literally stole the show for me in X. In Pearl, we get to see Goth reprise her role as the sweet yet mentally disturbed farm girl named Pearl. Goth also co-writes this prequel with director Ti West. Aside from the brilliant fact that I did not even realize Goth had portrayed an older version of Pearl in X, in both films she truly gets to showcase her remarkable talents both on and off the camera.
Set in 1918, Pearl explores the humble beginning of the murderous old lady previously seen in X. We see Pearl catering to her disabled father and overbearing mother while longing for a movie star life far away from the farm she grew up on. Her overactive imagination is her sole escape from the dreary and monotonous shortcomings of her upbringing. Mia Goth brings a very likable and bubbly quality to this strange farm girl with big dreams. Doing so not only gives the audience someone to root for but brings our guard down for the inevitable chaos to follow.
In one of the most riveting scenes since 2018’s Hereditary, Goth pours her soul into an extensive and gut-wrenching monologue that explores Pearl’s psyche and mental state. It is easily the best moment in a film that is filled with beautiful imagery and intense moments.
Ode to A Golden Age
X was Ti West’s love letter to 70’s grindhouse cinema. Pearl is a magnificent ode to the Technicolor Golden Age of Hollywood. The vibrant colors pop off the screen. The shots are huge and wide. Even the title cards themselves have this big retro theater feel to them. The entire first act is like if Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz grew up in the Twilight Zone. It is honestly deliriously fun from both an analytical standpoint and a casual one. The lush visuals are that intoxicating. Mia Goth’s monologue towards the very end is the best scene, but West’s visual flair is what I enjoyed about Pearl the most.
Much like The Black Phone, the film style and set pieces become characters themselves. Unfortunately, it’s when the film starts to get a tad bit darker is where we lose our way a little.
Wicked, Shocking, & Slightly Hollow
Walking out of Pearl left me very conflicted. On one hand, we have this visually scrumptious character study that stars a charming and brilliant Mia Goth. On the other, we have this very violent yet not exactly terrifying glimpse into the inner workings of a psychopath. Good horror films don’t necessarily need to be scary to be good, but I can’t help feeling that Pearl came out a little undercooked. I enjoyed the ride and the overall spectacle, although I just can’t bring myself to love the film as a whole.
I had very similar feelings about X previously and they share a lot of my same concerns. They’re both rich in detail and photographed very nicely. They both have some good laughs and absolutely brutal moments of pure violence. However, when all is said and done, I’m not sure what else these films offer beneath the surface. Pure curiosity and reverence for Goth may bring me to revisit Pearl on occasion, but the same can’t be said for X.
I think Ti West is a brilliant filmmaker. His 2009 horror film House of The Devil is one of my absolute favorites. His little Pearl universe is quite beautiful, cinematically exciting, and rather fun for the most part. There is even a third installment on the way, which should please fans, and I’m very happy about it.
However, I can’t say these are the horror masterpieces I initially thought they’d be. They’re good films overall that definitely have merit. They just don’t quite meet expectations.
A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days on my Nintendo Switch, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.