Pearl

Mia Goth delivers an impressive but somewhat misguided performance as the title character in this origin story for the main antagonist of Ti West's X. The movie is reasonably entertaining and intermittently funny. The imagery is sometimes gross; but the movie is never scary or horrifying because it fails to provide a convincing explanation for Pearl's pathology. Goth switches from "aw shucks" naive to calculating to deranged. Is she a cunning psychopath motivated by narcissism, envy and rage? Or is she an otherwise decent person spiraling into psychotic delusions? She seems to be neither and both at any given moment. Properly explored, either option would be chilling; but muddling them together make for a frustratingly inconsistent character. She's unpredictable but she's not realistic enough to be compelling.

Pearl should be praised for its visual presentation. It likens itself to that of Wizard of Oz and movies of that time, and very faithfully sticks that overall aesthetic. I also really loved the political undertones of the war and the Spanish Influenza and their influences, but not much else can be said to praise. Mia Goth is amazing as usual, and Ti West continues to prove that he is a talented voice behind the camera. The same can't be said for the writing and pacing.

In the end, it just felt very dragged out and extremely predictable. I get that it's a prequel, but nothing felt shocking or surprising. It just felt...boring, which is more of a sin than anything for a "horror" movie. I wasn't too crazy about X either. I'm glad Ti is getting the attention he deserves, and I am looking forward to see what he does next with this trilogy in Maxxxine, but I was very disappointed with Pearl. Horror is best when you go all out. This one felt very safe.

If you're looking for something exciting and unpredictable, go see Barbarian.

It's creepy as hell (I think. I don't usually watch horror films, but I think this is more of a psychopathic film). The way Pearl talks, her mouth opens, etc., bothered me from the beginning, but it's hard to explain, the indescribable feeling of discomfort. Her smile, her emotions change in seconds, she has almost no eyebrows, but one of her eyebrows is constantly raised by her muscles, her expression is indescribable, her desperate, innocent and sickly side is very scary (but for some reason I also sympathize with her). I feel as if something sticky and gooey has stuck to my body and I can't get it off, and it's still there. I wonder if it's that HSP, or her super sensitivity made her act like that. And then there's that overly conservative home life and the German language, which somehow come together to make me feel uncomfortable. Breathing...nonono but overall, it was entirely different movie that gave me a sticky sensation of skin from the sight. ...Great movie...

Extremely entertaining throwback-appearing (think old Hollywood cinematography and score) blood-soaked origin story of a girl with big dreams. After hints of malevolence, a chain of circumstances and events leads Pearl down a dark path.

The key here is Mia Goth's performance. One minute she comes across as a sympathetic character, the next she is beyond creepy, and there are still times in this film with laughter interspersed between moments of horrific violence. Perhaps the best moment in the film is a monologue that is best described as otherworldly. Really good watch, tremendous performance.

Pearl is an absorbing character study of a woman who mentally and emotionally unravels, leading to devastating effects for those closest to her.

It is a well crafted story, cleverly peeling back the character of Pearl and providing a great contextualisation to the events of Ti West's X. That being said it totally stands up as a film in its own right for those who haven't seen X.

The highlight is the leading performance from Mia Goth. I just can't get over how good she is as Pearl. She is utterly compelling and gives one of the most intriguing and punchy performances I've seen. She is undoubtedly a star and is now one of those actors whose films I will always seek out as I know I'll be getting a magnetic performance. It shouldn't go unmentioned that the supporting cast (limited as they are) are all terrific, but this is Goth's show from start to end.

Ti West puts such a distinct and vibrant stamp on this film, he really directs the hell out it. It is visually arresting with a vivid colour palette and a retro, period feel to it all that works so well. Simply put I just loved looking at every second of this film. The music as well is superb. It sets the tone for the whole thing perfectly.

Ti West is well on his way to creating not only one of the best horror trilogies of all time, but perhaps one of the greatest trilogies full stop.