Pearl - an origin story by Ti West
Mia Goth plays Pearl, a sweet, smiling teenager who takes care of her invalid Dad. But Pearl has a dark secret she keeps well hidden, she fears she is not like other people. Ti West's latest horror film is a slow burn, the film reminds me of classic 1960 horror films where nothing happens in the first half but the tension keeps building. The technicolor atmosphere hides a seething darkness which we catch short glimpses of during the first half. Pearl is misunderstood and just wants to be loved.
Pearl is the prequel to
"X", Ti West's classic horror, slasher, porno film. "X" is an homage to the raw films made in the 1970's. "Pearl" is a character study into the desire to be famous, despair and the transformation from innocence into a monster. The story starts in 1918 when Pearl's husband goes off to war and she is isolated on a small farm with her parents. Pearl's long monologue at the film's end is chilling because anyone who has seen "X" knows what is coming.
The Technicolor saturated reds, blues and greens will remind the viewer of "The Wizard of OZ". Much of the action takes place in bright sunlight but indoor shots are muted with beautiful pitch black areas that frame Mia. I have a 60" Panasonic plasma TV that does black very well. Some of the dramatic effect will be lost with a LED TV.
Sun drenched horror at it's best
91% on RT
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pearl_2022Watch the creepy trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5PW5r3pEOg 
