Released the same year as “X,” in 2022, Ti West and Mia Goth return to delve into the origins of Pearl, one of the killers from “X.” While making “X,” West and Goth were crafting the backstory for Pearl and decided to flesh out that backstory into its own film.
Set in 1918, on the same farm seen in “X,” Pearl is helping run her family farm with her mother and helps take care of her paralyzed father. Pearl’s husband Howard is off fighting in World War I, and she resents him because she feels like he abandoned her.
Pearl dreams of being a movie star and leaving the farm and her parents behind and wishes they would die so that leaving would be easier for her. Pearl’s friends and family start to get concerned after noticing her odd behavior and her abuse towards animals.
Over the next few days, Pearl kills a few of the animals on their farm. She tries to hide the evidence by feeding the animals’ remains to her pet alligator in the pond behind their farmhouse. Her mother discovers this and in a violent rage Pearl kills sets her on fire and later smothers her father with a pillow.
Pearl heads into town and stops at the local movie theater and meets the theaters projectionist. She has an affair with the man and when he drives her home the next day he notices some troubling signs. Before he can leave Pearl catches up with him and stabs him with a pitchfork and dumps him in the pond.
The next day Pearl and her sister-in-law Mitsy try out for a traveling dance troupe. Sadly, Pearl does not make the cut and has a meltdown on stage. Mitsy takes Pearl home and tries to console her. Pearl is convinced that Mitsy got the part and goes after Mitsy with an axe. Mitsy tries to run away but Pearl catches up to her and kills her.
Pearl’s murderous rampage ends when her husband Howard returns home from the war. He sees her standing with a distorted and pained smile beside the bodies of her mother and father and the dinner table filled with rotting food.
Mia Goth truly shines as Pearl and gives an amazing performance. As Pearl, she is able to capture the knowledge that she has something wrong with her but doesn’t care. Pearl snaps and fully gives in to her murderous ways.
The character of Pearl will stop at nothing to accomplish her dream, and she’ll kill anyone who gets in her way. “Pearl” is by far my favorite film in the series and boy does it deliver one crazy, bloody, good time. The gore was increased big time over “X” and everything looked incredible.
The overall feeling of the movie felt like “The Wizard of Oz” on drugs. It’s bright and vibrant but perfectly contrasted with these grisly murders. ‘Pearl’ is an astounding second chapter and prequel in the “X” franchise, and it leaves me wanting more.