Pearl is a psychological horror film directed by Ti West and written by West and Mia Goth. It serves as a prequel to X (2022), taking viewers decades earlier to 1918 to uncover the origins of the titular character, Pearl. The film adopts a unique aesthetic, blending Technicolor-inspired visuals reminiscent of 1930s and 1940s cinema with the unsettling tones of modern psychological horror. Mia Goth delivers an intense and multifaceted performance, solidifying the film as a standout character-driven piece in the horror genre.
The story unfolds in 1918, during the final stretch of World War I and the devastating Spanish flu pandemic. Pearl lives on an isolated farm with her strict and overbearing mother, Ruth, and her ailing, paralyzed father. Her husband, Howard, is away fighting in the war. The farm, a once-vibrant place, feels like a suffocating prison to Pearl, who dreams of escaping to pursue stardom as a dancer in the movies. Her fantasies, however, sharply contrast with her grim reality.
Pearlโs mother, Ruth, embodies the rigid, survivalist mentality of the time, enforcing strict discipline and dismissing Pearlโs dreams as frivolous and selfish. Their relationship becomes increasingly tense as Pearl struggles against the confines of her life. Her father, unable to speak or move, serves as a haunting reminder of her responsibilities, further stifling her aspirations.
One day, Pearl meets a traveling projectionist at a local theater. His cosmopolitan demeanor and encouragement to chase her dreams enthrall her, igniting her passion but also pushing her fragile psyche closer to the edge. As Pearlโs frustrations and repressed emotions boil over, her descent into madness begins. Violence ensues as Pearlโs dreams morph into dark and twisted compulsions, setting the stage for the monstrous character she becomes in X.
The filmโs climax is marked by a chilling confrontation between Pearl and her sister-in-law, Mitsy, as well as a devastating breakdown that culminates in Pearlโs shocking transformation. The closing scene, where Pearl forces herself to smile through her despair, is an unforgettable moment, perfectly encapsulating her fractured psyche.