Day 20: Pearl: She’s a Star!
Pearl, the second entry in Ti West’s X film series and a prequel to the first movie, is an American horror film that puts the spotlight on the delightfully unhinged Pearl Douglas, played by Mia Goth. Ti West originally started the series as a study on the human obsession with fame and fortune, and this movie captures that idea really well.
Pearl is a young woman who desperately wants to be famous, and Mia Goth plays her with such weird, unsettling energy that you can’t look away. She’s creepy, awkward and somehow still a little relatable. Watching her chase her dream of stardom while being completely unaware of how insane her choices are is both fascinating and wildly entertaining. It’s like watching someone audition for The Wizard of Oz after losing their grip on reality — and somehow, it just works.
The story takes place in 1918 Texas, where Pearl lives with her strict German immigrant parents on a quiet little farm. She’s a young woman with big dreams of fame and fortune but is stuck spending her days feeding animals, milking cows, and caring for her paralyzed father (Matthew Sunderland). To her, it’s a miserable existence. She doesn’t want to be a farmhand; she wants to be a star, adored by millions and living a glamorous life far away from dirt and chores. It’s a real tragedy, honestly. Most of us would just sigh, roll up our sleeves, and get on with it, but not Pearl. She’s convinced she’s destined for the spotlight, and heaven help anyone who tries to tell her otherwise.
Throughout the movie, the relationship between Pearl and her mother, Ruth (played by Tandi Wright), gets more explosive by the minute. You can’t help but feel a little sorry for Pearl. She’s stuck in this miserable loop where her own mother treats her dreams like a joke and her feelings like an inconvenience. Ruth is, well, ruthless and she couldn’t care less about what Pearl wants out of life. It’s hard to blame Pearl for snapping a little when every ounce of her passion is met with cold stares and harsh words.
Another notable character that I feel like I need to mention is “The Projectionist.” Played by David Corenswet, he’s a character that is displayed as kind and supportive of Pearl’s dreams, but for some reason I just get these manipulative vibes from him. I mean, two things can be true at once, don’t get me wrong.
While the projectionist doesn’t get much screen time, he plays a surprisingly big role in shaping who Pearl becomes. Granted, the guy had no clue he was hyping up a full-blown psychopath, but he definitely helped her lean into that “follow your dreams” mindset. He told her to live life on her own terms, boosted her confidence, and even got tangled up in a spicy little affair with her since she is married. Unfortunately for him, his charm and good advice only carried him so far. The second Pearl thought he might stand in the way of her big dreams, she cut him from the cast permanently.
Pearl may not be the scariest or most grotesque horror movie you’ll see, but what it lacks in blood and jump scares it more than makes up for in psychological intrigue and emotional depth. The film dives into human desire, showing just how far someone will go to chase their dreams and claim what they think is theirs. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those willing to take the ride, it’s a wild, entertaining, and fun experience.