Pearl (2022) ***1/2 [❌ Double Feature Pt. 1]

Pearl (2022), Ti West’s prequel to X (2022) (review) (released only six months prior), doesn’t attempt to hide the influence of the Golden Age of Hollywood and Douglas Sirk. But while X’s homages—namely The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) (review)—felt a tad on the nose, Pearl feels authentic enough without overt callbacks to classic films and provides more of a mood, which I tend to prefer over outright replication.

Pearl is a really well-made backstory to X that feels natural and never forced. It’s also West’s best filmmaking in every regard—strong production design, costumes, and atmosphere. Mia Goth is simply fantastic in this role—dishing up the crazy like her life depended on it but also delivering a superb and impassioned long-take speech that serves as a highlight (plus that end credits sequence).

Pearl is a horror movie too, let’s not forget. It might be less gory than X but there are some great bloody moments (including a particularly memorable split screen montage). I liked the film a tad less and it lost just a touch of the magic on this rewatch (my original review here)—a double feature with X to prep for MaXXXine (the 1980s-set next film in the X series) tomorrow night, which I hope doesn't disappoint—but it's still a very good movie and West's best picture so far.

Ti West Feature Films Ranked