Pearl (2022)

Trapped in a small town bell jar, Pearl dreams of being a star. Living under the thumb of her strict mother, invalid father and their isolated, mundane farm life reinforce Pearl's desperate, deep rooted desire to escape and build herself a better life. This dream unravels Pearl’s psychopathic tendencies, pushing her to the brink of madness as she tries her hardest to make sure they come true. 

Who is in it? 

A small movie with an even smaller cast, Pearl stars horror icon Mia Goth shines as the movie's title character, reprising her role as a younger version of Pearl from the movie X (2022). Supporting cast includes David Corenswet as the projectionist who urges Pearl to follow her dreams, and Tandi Wright and Matthew Sunderland as her mother and father.

Why should I watch it? 

Director Ti West plays with you right off the bat. 

The opening scene subverts expectations instantly, with music and opening titles that are reminiscent of the opening scenes of the Wizard of Oz. Immediately you are sat there thinking “what the fuck am I watching?” It’s this thought that swims in your mind over and over from the beginning, where our ‘heroine’ Pearl first grabs her pitchfork, to her demented smile at the end of the movie. Goth is excellent in her portrayal of Pearl, no surprise there, and Tandi Wright is excellent as Pearl's strict and domineering mother. Their relationship in the film is wrought and full of tension, but as the film progresses, you see both points of view and relate not just to Pearl but begin to understand the mother as well. 

Thematically, this film is made for women. I think we’ve all been in that position where you want more out of life than the things you feel are weighing you down, which is what makes the main character so sympathetic. Her actions, however, are deeply questionable and to be honest, bat shit nuts, which pulls you back into the real world while you sit with your head in your hands going “seriously, what the fuck is she doing?”

Why won’t I like it? 

It isn’t a hardcore horror movie. Pearl is a bit of a slow hitter and errs more on the side of psychological horror than it does of slasher. There are no monsters jumping out of the shadows and there isn’t a murder around every corner. For some audiences, the movie might be a little bit slow. The small cast might be suffocating for some who like a bigger cast or a bigger budget with more effects and more scenery.

What did  you think of it? 

I absolutely love this movie and it has to be one of the top 3 horror films that my partner and I watched last year when on a binging session. Mia Goth is a brilliant actor, and she’s found her niche by playing tormented “nice girl” characters with a psychopathic edge to them. 

Should I give it a go? 

Yeah, 100%. It's fucking weird.

This is so well made and so well acted that it needs to be watched at least once. It’s the second in a trilogy, but acts as a standalone sequel to X. I’d highly recommend watching that, and MaxXxine as well, if you fancied a bit of a marathon sesh.

Rating