Rent Pearl (2022)

Very Clever - Pearl review by sb

FILM & WATCHED Been after this one for ages and it doesn’t disappoint. Just out in the UK so no real details but it’s the prequal to West and Goth’s X where she played the dual role including the old lady who goes on a murderous spree. This takes us back to 1918 with Pearl as a young girl growing up on a strict family farm while dreaming of a life in the movies….and heaven help anyone who tries to foil her plans…. It’s deliberately shot like a 1950’s melodrama so beloved of Douglas Sirk with soaring strings , wide screen vistas and screen wipes…oh and with considerable use of axes and pitchforks. Goth (who co-wrote it ) is superb as the wide eyed innocent with psychotic undertones just bubbling under the surface. It’s shot through with a very black humour and well worth seeking out -4/5

Clever Horror With Great Central Performance - Pearl review by GI

This prequel to X (2022) is a better film. I was underwhelmed by X and whilst its homage to 70s horror was evident and fun it was a basic slasher film. However Pearl is a far more interesting and entertaining film for one specific reason and that's the performance of Mia Goth as the title character. In a narrative that is fairly average in that it's a 'birth of the killer' story she makes this film highly watchable as she combines a sort of earthy Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz with a Jack Torrance from The Shining. It's 1918 and the First World War is coming to an end. Pearl is an 18 year old girl living and working on her parents farm. Her husband is still overseas in the army and Pearl resents the confines of her life dominated by her German immigrant and very devout mother (Tandi Wright) and she dreams of escape and becoming a dancer. A casual affair followed by rejection of a local man pushes Pearl over the edge into a psychopathic rage. Her descent into this is hinted at from the early stages of the film almost like a fuse is lit and we watch her gradually push away any restraints. There is gore and when it comes it's a shock as the film resists too much for quite awhile. This is a more accomplished and interesting film than its predecessor and Goth's grandiose performance is captivating. She deserves an award for the 8 minute horrific monologue she delivers and the forced facial smile she delivers during the closing credits. An actress that dominates this film and raises it above its otherwise routine narrative. If like me you didn't rate X that highly you maybe surprised by this film, it's rather good.

Superior prequel to 'X'. - Pearl review by NP

There are echoes here of the COVID pandemic, even though this prequel to ‘X’ (also from 2022) is set during 1918’s influenza pandemic. Once again this is written and directed by Ti West and stars the magnificent Mia Goth who, for once, is really given a chance to shine. This is far more satisfying than ‘X’ in my view. The focus is more on the small cast and they instigate the story being told; it’s more of a series of vignettes that become more and more twisted as the plot rolls on – although the signs of Pearl’s mindset were there in the opening moments.

The first few scenes are not indicative of what is to come; they go for a David Lynch/Guillermo del Toro level of surreal weirdness and don’t quite cut it. Much better is when Pearl’s predicament and protracted misery are slowly unveiled, and her chance of happiness appears to beckon. Only then do the directorial extravagances gain some depth and complement the story, rather than striking out to engage the viewer on their own.

The cast is very good, and the progression of Pearl’s condition, together with her realisation and embracing of it, is beautifully carried out. Quite the character piece and a lovely way to extol Goth’s talents as an actress. My score is 8 out of 10.