Pearl

Pearl, written and directed by Ti West, is a 2022 American horror film that delves into the darker aspects of human nature, exploring themes of repressed desire, isolation, and the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition. The film stars Mia Goth, an actress and writer who made her directorial debut with Aaaaaaaah! (2015), and is the second installment in West's X Saga, following 2014's The Sacrament. The story takes place in the 1920s, in a remote Texas farmhouse, where Pearl, a teenager, lives with her family. Her father, Roy Pascal (Matthew Field), is an ailing and frail man, struggling to cope with his own mortality, having recently suffered an injury. Roy's wife, played by Tandi Wright, is an intensely devout woman who is deeply devoted to her faith and is dismissive of Pearl's aspirations and desires. Roy's wife, however, is not the only source of oppression in Pearl's life. The stifling environment and the societal norms of the time create a sense of claustrophobia, limiting Pearl's options and suppressing her desires. She is often seen watching movies, her eyes fixed on the glamorous world on screen, her imagination running wild with dreams of leaving her isolated life behind. As the story unfolds, Pearl's mother becomes increasingly controlling, imposing harsh restrictions on her daughter's movements and behavior. The tension between them builds, with Pearl's frustration and resentment growing, as she feels trapped in a prison of her own making. The farmhouse, once a symbol of security and stability, now feels like a gilded cage, suffocating Pearl's sense of independence and agency. Meanwhile, a series of unsettling events begins to unfold, hinting at the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of the family's seemingly idyllic life. The usually cheerful farmhand, Ed (Josh Loevy), is seen arguing with Roy, and the parents' relationship becomes marked by tension and hostility. Pearl's fantasies about a more glamorous life continue to consume her, and she begins to take small risks, her desires and rebellions surfacing. Her interactions with the farmhand, Ed, are laced with a forbidden attraction, which she is unable to openly express. As the film progresses, Pearl's motivations and desires become increasingly distorted, and she starts to reveal a more sinister and unhinged personality. Toward the end of the film, Pearl's frustration boils over, and she inflicts physical harm on her mother, leading to a tragic and devastating climax. The events that follow have far-reaching consequences, changing the course of the family's history and cementing Pearl's descent into madness. Throughout Pearl, Ti West interweaves references to classic horror movies, pastiching iconic scenes and motifs from these films. This self-aware, postmodern nod serves to underscore the themes of repressed desire, as the camera scrutinizes the characters, much like the lens of a cinematic tableau views a macabre spectacle on screen. Ti West's direction and the film's score take an eerie, folk-inspired quality, gradually building a sense of unease and foreboding, underscoring the ominous feeling that pervades the film's atmosphere. The slow-burning tension culminates in a stunning climax, which makes for a truly unsettling and unsettling viewing experience. Ultimately, Pearl is a psychological horror film that explores the destructive potential of unchecked ambition, as well as the tensions and conflicts between men and women. Set against the backdrop of a patriarchal society, the film paints a haunting portrait of rebellion, repression, and the devastating consequences of unmet desires.