Pearl (2022) – A Beautiful Descent into Madness

Ti West's Pearl is a twisted, visually stunning prequel to X, and it’s honestly one of the most memorable horror character studies I’ve seen lately. If you're into psychological horror with an artful twist, this movie is a must-see. Set in 1918, the film follows the young Pearl, played brilliantly by Mia Goth, as she dreams of escaping her boring farm life to become a star, but things go violently off the rails.

What really sets Pearl apart is how it blends the old-school Technicolor style with brutally dark subject matter. Think The Wizard of Oz meets Psycho. Goth’s performance is pure insanity, in the best way possible. There’s an extended monologue near the end that’s just one shot, and it’s genuinely haunting. You’ll feel sympathetic, horrified, and intrigued all at once.

Unlike your average slasher, Pearl digs into ambition, repression, and what happens when the American Dream curdles into something grotesque. If you haven’t watched X, you don’t need to, but it adds some cool context and makes the viewing experience much more enjoyable!

See the trailer of this amazing movie for yourself with this link!