Pearl (2022)
Ti West's visually dazzling A24 prequel charts the dark origin of a killer, anchored by Mia Goth's career-defining performance.
Pearl - Movie Information
- Original Title: Pearl
- Release Year: 2022
- Directed by: Ti West
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, German
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 16, 2022 (Canada - 18A), September 16, 2022 (United States - R), March 17, 2023 (United Kingdom - 15), June 1, 2023 (Germany - 18), March 16, 2023 (Australia - MA 15+), February 9, 2023 (Brazil - 18), March 4, 2023 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: Pearl/パール (JP), Pearl: A Extraordinária História da Origem de 'X: A Marca da Morte' (BR), Пэрл (RU), 欲珠 (CN), Pearl (KR), Pearl: An X-traordinary Origin Story (US)
- Production Companies: A24, Little Lamb Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Pearl - Plot
Trapped on her family's isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she's seen in the movies, Pearl's ambitions, temptations, and repressions collide.
Pearl - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Pearl's world unravel in vivid, unsettling color:
An X-traordinary origin story.
Where to Watch Pearl
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Pearl - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ti West
Main Cast
- Mia Goth
- David Corenswet
- Tandi Wright
- Matthew Sunderland
- Emma Jenkins-Purro
- Alistair Sewell
- Amelia Reid
- Gabe McDonnell
- Lauren Stewart
- Todd Rippon
Writers
- Ti West
- Mia Goth
Producers
- Harrison Kreiss
- Kevin Turen
- Jacob Jaffke
- Ti West
Pearl - FAQs
Is Pearl a prequel to X (2022)?
Yes, Pearl is a direct prequel to Ti West's X (2022), also released that same year. It tells the origin story of the elderly killer from X, showing how a young woman named Pearl, living on a Texas farm during World War I, descended into violence and obsession.
Who plays Pearl in the 2022 film?
Mia Goth plays Pearl, delivering a tour-de-force performance that earned widespread critical acclaim. Remarkably, Goth also co-wrote the screenplay with director Ti West. She previously played a different character in X, making her dual role across both films a fascinating creative achievement.
What is Pearl (2022) about?
Pearl follows a young woman trapped on her family's isolated Texas farm during World War I, dreaming of escaping to Hollywood stardom. Suffocated by a domineering mother and a bedridden father, her hunger for fame, freedom, and love curdles into something far darker and more dangerous.
What does Pearl's final smile scene mean?
The film's haunting final shot — Pearl holding a wide, trembling smile as the credits roll — is widely interpreted as the moment she fully embraces her fractured psyche. It signals her complete psychological break, a chilling portrait of a woman who has lost everything and chosen madness over grief.
Where can I watch Pearl (2022)?
Pearl is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand. Check your preferred platform for current pricing and availability in your region.
Did Mia Goth write the Pearl screenplay?
Yes! Mia Goth co-wrote the screenplay alongside director Ti West. The story was reportedly developed from a deeply personal conversation between the two during production of X. Goth's intimate involvement in crafting Pearl's psychology is a big reason the character feels so vivid and raw on screen.
How long is Pearl and what is its age rating?
Pearl runs 1 hour and 42 minutes and is rated R in the United States. The rating reflects the film's graphic violence, disturbing content, and intense psychological themes. It's not one for the faint-hearted, but it's a genuinely gripping watch for fans of bold, character-driven horror.
Was Pearl (2022) well received by critics?
Pearl was very warmly received, earning strong reviews for Mia Goth's extraordinary lead performance and Ti West's bold visual style, which evokes classic Hollywood Technicolor melodrama. Critics praised it as a surprisingly emotional and psychologically rich horror film that transcends the genre's typical boundaries.
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