Pearl—Film Review

Dir. Ti West, 2022 — Starring Mia Goth

M. Goth, Pearl, 2022— B. Fernandez

The Rundown

A24 Studios blessed us with back to back horror genre classics by releasing the infamous film X’s (2022) prequel within months of its own debut and that film is titled Pearl (2022). Pearl is set in 1918 amidst the influenza crisis where Pearl is forced to act as one of her fathers primary caregivers after the virus rendered him into a vegetative state with little consciousness, all at the demands of her scorned mother who expected a life of happiness for herself and Pearl. Isolated on a farm as a precaution to not endure the flu once again, Pearl begins to experience dark and intrusive thoughts.

M. Goth, Pearl, 2022 — B. Fernandez

Her mother’s disciplinary attitude and extensive demands only increases as life becomes more bleak for the family of three. This is until talent agents come rolling into the nearby town looking for the next big all-American star. With Pearl’s only other hope of escaping her miserable life being her husband whom is presumed to have passed in the war, she sets her sights on winning the contest and finally escaping the farm and her traumatic life once and for all. She spends any spare hours in-between completing her mothers errands watching films of famous dancers to help her practice, this is also where she is introduced to the concept of sexuality beyond her conservative upbringing. This time between practicing for her audition in the talent show and exploring her own needs outside the familial dynamic would change the course of Pearl’s life forever in a way she hadn’t expected.

M. Goth, Pearl, 2022 — B. Fernandez

Why Should You Watch It?

If you’re lucky enough to have seen X prior to Pearl, watching Pearl is the ultimate easter egg hunt and psychological deep-dive for film buffs. Pearl being preconceived in the audience’s minds as a bitter and deranged old woman from this films sequel X, has you reassessing what kind of person you would be in her situation. The script, acting and direction allowed me to shift my perspective from that of how the monster came to be, it instead pushed me to consider the irreversible challenges at play in young Pearl’s situation and wonder if she had much of a choice, if one at all.

Wrap Up

To be able to understand that Pearl’s actions are evil and deeply unsettling without justification, all whilst also retaining this uncomfortable and almost inappropriate empathy for her makes you uncomfortable, exactly what a horror film should do. It also explains why Pearl hates blondes.

M. Goth, Pearl, 2022 — B. Fernandez

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Brooke Fernandez - No Risk Media

Who is 𝓼𝓱𝓮? Almost everything, for now... Marketing & Creative. Agency / Authour.