To make a perfect horror isn’t an easy task. The filmmakers need to create something that is not only unique but memorable for all the right reasons. Whether through its characters, awesome kills, or moments that left us terrified, horror films have their fan base. Ti West returned to his horror roots with X; a brilliant horror film released earlier this year that enthralled critics and audiences. The much-anticipated prequel Pearl has arrived, and this film invites the audience to catch a peek at the villain’s origins from the first film. Prequels are a tough challenge; more often than not, prequels are largely unnecessary. Still, Pearl offers some breathtaking moments in an otherwise less thrilling engagement compared to X.
It’s 1918. World War I is almost over, and the Spanish Flu has everyone wondering who will next become sick. Young Pearl (Mia Goth) lives at home with her parents in Texas. The very same house we first witnessed in X. Her father (Matthew Sutherland) is a sick man who is unable to care for himself or the family. We deduce that’s he paralyzed as he sits in a wheelchair, and Pearl’s mother Ruth (Tandi Wright), is a strong, firm, and overbearing mother who has complete control over the family. Pearl spends her days tending to the family farm, caring for her father, and obediently listening to her mother. Pearl wishes for another life, a chance to see something else in this world, a place where she can spread her wings and be free from the chains that hold her down.
With the farm isolated from the community, Pearl is all alone. She’s already married to Howard (Alistair Sewell), the man who stayed by her side in X, and while he’s serving overseas in the war, Pearl has no friends or prospects for the future. Howard’s sister Mitsy (Emma Jenkins-Purro) visits the farm one day and tells Pearl that a dance competition is being held at the church in town. Whoever wins the competition will travel to multiple states to perform in front of an audience! Pearl has always wanted to be a star, which could be her chance.
Traveling to town one day to purchase medicine for her father, Pearl visits the cinema and is captivated by what she sees. Dancers on the screen, the joy of being beautiful, and the opportunity to become famous has Pearl daydreaming for days. She even meets the projectionist (David Corenswet). He invites her to view more movies for free, and he is even a little sweet to her. With Howard in the war, her dad too sick to move, and a domineering mother who won’t allow Pearl to live her own life, Pearl is looking for a release. She fantasizes about the projectionist, prepares her dance routine, and even wishes that her parents would just die.
I won’t reveal all that happens, but you can expect plenty of violence. However, there is one key ingredient missing, which is suspense. X had audiences on edge, but Pearl is a rather tedious movie. That isn’t to say that there aren’t impressive scenes to watch, but Pearl feels overall different, and I think that’s the point. Instead of making the same movie again, director Ti West and his co-writer Mia Goth have crafted a heartbreaking story of a young girl who just wants to live her life. It’s more of a dark drama with evidence of horror, but if you’re thinking that this movie will be like X, you may be left wanting more.
Pearl does benefit in allowing the audience to view the gradual progress of seeing this young woman slowly lose her nerve when the pressures of her life are closing in. Pearl has her issues, but we learn that she isn’t a nice person either. Mia Goth is a terrific actress, and I felt her performance was the show’s star. She brings so much emotion to this role, and when the chaos ensues, I, at least, can understand what led her to make those fateful decisions.
Pearl introduces the future villain of X, but the previous film was more powerful as a representation of the fears of getting older and losing the attractiveness of our own accord. Pearl doesn’t include scenes between her and her husband. The movie limits itself to only covering a couple of days, and I wanted to see the beginning stages of their marriage. The movie needed more scenes and only settles for a slight introduction of why Pearl becomes violent. It’s truly a wondrous thing to witness, and there’s a monologue scene in which Pearl confesses the very thoughts that plague her mind in one of the movie’s best moments. Still, the movie is compelling enough from the performance of Mia Goth, who I surely hope is recognized by the Academy. Horror films don’t get the credit they deserve, and I hope her performance is remembered for future award ceremonies.
Score 3.5 out of 5
Pearl is an effective horror film that doesn’t add much to the far superior X. That’s not so much a negative trait, but Pearl only gives audiences a certain point in the character’s life and doesn’t reflect on the core issues that made X such an impressive film. Mia Goth is a splendid actress who sinks into the role and deserves all the recognition. The script is simple enough to follow, but this movie’s suspense and genuine chills are missing. It’s a good enough prequel, but audiences may be left fidgeting in their seats, waiting for the action to unfold. It’s a good character study, but as a horror film, it barely falls into the category of offering the audience the scare factor that most horror films aim for.
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