In 1918, 61 years before the events of X, Pearl, trapped on her family’s isolated Texas homestead, must tend to her infirmed father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations and repressions collide.
- Released:
- Runtime: 120 minutes
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thrillers
- Stars: Mia Goth, Tandi Wright, David Corenswet, Emma Jenkins-Purro, Matthew Sunderland, Alistair Sewell, Lauren Stewart, Amelia Reid, Todd Rippon, Gabe McDonnell, Grace Acheson
- Director: Ti West
Comments
- iraforever1360 - 27 June 2024
how did I miss this
Excellent movie. I just saw it in the theatre as a return "fan favorite" and i loved it. Watching pearls descent into madness intensifies and a perfect rate until she finally loses it and the background during the first part of the credits paints a really great picture of where she is at in life. The story was simple but great and the characters were wonderful. Both pearl and her mother have great monologues that really draw you in. The increasing intensity of this movie was probably my favorite part and Mia goths performance was EXCELLENT I was very impressed, if you have not yet seen this, get on it now. - geraldleejones-20639 - 2 June 2024
Ewwwwwwwwwww
I can only suspect that those highly rated this film have very deep seated emotional problems to be able to enjoy any part of this macabre and tortured exposition on madness. I watch the entire movie to try and find one single thread of redeeming elements in it.
I was revolted from stem to stern with the storyline and found the title character disturbing even before her headlong rush into evil.
It is not obvious just what the journey being portrayed here really is are they depicting a innocent girl descending into madness or it this the growth cycle of a truly supernatural demonic entity? One cannot know the intention of the writers, but either way this is a very mentally sick film.
The lead actress is either a brilliant actor or a psychopath pretending to act. My mind says convincing actress, but my gut says a little of both. - TxMike - 13 May 2024
The prequel to "X", set in 1918 influenza pandemic and war.
This is a curious movie, even though it was made after the movie "X", it is actually the prequel, of sorts. "X" is set in 1979 Texas, one character is Pearl. The movie "Pearl" is set in 1918 and it revolves around the young Pearl, married to a young man who is off to war in Europe. And Pearl is stuck on the farm.
Mia Goth, who also produced and co-wrote, is Pearl. Her parents are German immigrants, her mother still speaks mostly German at home. Her dad is ill, spends his time in a wheelchair, has to be fed and cleaned, and never speaks.
Mom is very strict, she treats Pearl like a little girl, quickly disapproves of most of Pearl's behavior. But Pearl is mostly dutiful, she feeds the barn animals and milks the cow. But her best animal friend seems to be the large alligator that resides in the pond on their property. There are a number of ways it can come in handy.
Through all of this Pearl is unhappy, she resents her young husband going away, she doesn't like the absence of love, and doesn't want to grow old on the Texas farm. On the surface Pearl seems nice and accommodating to others but there is very disturbing streak in her.
Not more needs to be said of the story and how it plays out. Suffice to say Mia Goth is superb in the role of Pearl. In my mind it is an award-worthy performance. It is chilling at times, very disturbing at others, there is some very graphic gore.
I don't usually like this kind of movie, in fact I thought I might watch 15 minutes of it and abandon it, but I didn't. The whole movie is fascinating, the story and flow are unusually good.
At home on BluRay from my public library. My wife chose to skip, not her type of movie.
NB - I didn't like the movie "X" at all. - morgangreen-42292 - 7 January 2023
WOW!. WOW!. WOW!.
Mia. You are heading for the Oscars ! The monologue was Faaaanfoggingtastic !. You sucked me in, with emotions as disgust, pity, understanding, wanting to hug you and flee asap !
OMG
Best "horror" film since The house that Jack Built, IMHO.
Rarely do I get surprised like this. Or almost never.
Your monologue was just... Priceless... I had to watch the scene over and over again, as I felt I wanted to understand YOU, not just the character.
I am at a loss for words honestly.
Your fellow actors were GREAT too - but you were simply magnificent!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
At least I love you ! :-)
Morgan Green, Denmark. - nowlflr - 31 December 2022
Unoriginal .. even for a campy horror
I'm a lurker and not a poster but felt so compelled after this movie to leave a review.
Saw this movie as a rental and came here to see the reviews first. So many positive reviews so I bucked up and paid the rental fee.
Unfortunately, there are no refunds on rentals or refund of my time. This was, legitimately, the most stupid horror flick I've ever seen. What's the level below "B" rate? This sits a solid 5 levels below that. It's unoriginal, story was anything but interesting, compelling, or riveting. There are no twists ... just stupid same until the end. There's no help for me to get my time back or the rental fee but you can and it's best that you save yourself. - tiskec - 13 December 2022
Creatively Creepy Wizard of Oz(idy), Crazy Film
First I'd like to say awesome performance by Mia Goth, once again. Not only is she one of the most gorgeous women, but she played her character fantastically. She really fell into the persona of pearl.
Ti's idea to base the story in the 1920s was amazing. Right around the Wizard of Oz era. I swear, the movements of those people back then, the way they dressed, and the way they filmed was off the creepomiter! I shutter sometimes just thinking about the Lollipop Guild people from Wizard of Oz. What's cool about it is it makes me think of Dorothy slowly loosing it and going on a murder spree. For C***** Sake's there's even a scarecrow that Pearl bangs in a corn field. I love it.
From the mentions before, this movie is nothing near a grindhouse, or splatter film. It's rather unique. I think I would classify it as a drama/psychological horror. Although, don't go thinking that there's no maiming in this movie, because Pearl is completely bat***t crazy! There's plenty to satisfy the gore hounds with too.
The only thing I didn't like about this film was it was SUPER SLOW the first half an hour. After that things picked up and got good, but it had me worried.
All in all, the film crew did a great job on making me feel like I was actually in 1918 by the film art used. Clever. This movie was WAY better than "X" in my opinion. Not even a close one there.
Solid 7/10. - lojitsu - 30 November 2022
Slow first half, great second half.
Here's The 4K Lowedown on "Pearl" (R - 2022 - Blu) Genre: Horror/Slasher
My Score: 7.2 Cast=4 Acting=8 Plot=8 Ending=10 Story=7 Scare=7 Jump=4 F/X=9 Blood=8 Kills=7
In 1918, a young woman on the brink of madness pursues stardom in a desperate attempt to escape the drudgery, isolation and lovelessness of life on her parents' farm.
"I'm worried there may be something really wrong with me, Mitzy." This was a good origin story and once again Mia Goth shines in her role as Pearl. I unfortunately found the first half of the movie slower than molasses. I guess I wanted things to happen more quickly and didn't need all the character development. Once it got rolling though, it was a solid movie. This is worth a watch if you liked "X" and are interested in knowing about Pearl. - msbreviews - 22 November 2022
Mia Goth in Pearl > Mia Goth in X, but X > Pearl.
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"Pearl may be a prequel to X, but Ti West turns this slasher into an incredibly complex character study represented - and co-written (!) - by Mia Goth.
The new star of the horror genre deepens the protagonist Pearl, exploring her tremendous desire to fulfill her dream of wanting to become something more than a mere farm girl, including a mesmerizing monologue of nearly ten uninterrupted minutes, where raw, insane, wholly genuine emotion of the character comes across in a fascinating manner. Extra appreciation for the practical effects and the fact that basically the entire movie is shot during broad daylight.
Gore sequences become somewhat repetitive, and the narrative doesn't escape its predictability, being an overall less captivating film than its predecessor."
Rating: B.
