31.3.23
Pearl is one one-part origin story, one-part homage to the technicolor cinemascape of the 1940s. Just like the film’s ‘pre-sequel’ X from last year, Pearl is anchored by Mia Goth in yet another intense and mystifying starring role. It really is shaping up to be her year with this and Infinity Pool.
Although the film satisfies with its grizzly moments, fantastic central performance and spellbinding parting shot, I didn’t really get much from the film besides some interesting moments that I would like to play back rather than see as a whole again. In its reverence of key filmography such as The Wizard of Oz and to a lesser extent Taxi Driver, it comes across as rather cheap, camp and predictable. It falls into the trap of ‘pastiching’ much loved vital films that I would rather be seeing than Pearl.
Having said that, I think Mia Goth is really great in it and it’s getting to the stage now where I’ll watch anything she is in. I prefer the horror stylings of X and think Ti West is onto something, so I’ll happily check out what he has to offer next.