Pearl was first described as a ‘female version of the Joker‘—a pure young girl shaped by her times and environment, slowly going mad. But watching the film completely changes that impression.

Within the first few minutes, Pearl stabs a farm goose with a hoe and feeds it to “Seda,” an alligator living in a nearby lake.

The name comes from Theda Bara, a famous silent film actress known as the first sex symbol. By this point, viewers realize that Pearl was ‘broken’ from the very beginning.

By Orval Hixon – [1], Public Domain, Link

She is never a pitiful victim driven mad by her environment. Rather, the narrative reveals a dynamic where her strict mother desperately tried to suppress an inherent abnormality.

Some might see the mother’s strictness as a way to protect others, since she understood how dangerous her daughter could be.

On her way back from shopping in town, Pearl dances with a farm scarecrow and shares a passionate, deep kiss, releasing her pent-up sexual urges. Immediately afterward, she snaps back to reality and laughs at herself, suggesting she understands her own abnormality yet cannot suppress the existence of these uncontrollable impulses.

Pearl’s central argument asserts that her story is about the release of preexisting madness, not its slow development. The film focuses on the inevitability of her inner dark impulses.

Shifting the focus to Mia Goth herself, her multifaceted involvement shaped the film’s impact in unique ways.

It’s impossible to talk about Pearl without mentioning Mia Goth’s many talents.

Not only did she star in this film, but she also co-wrote the screenplay with director Ty West and participated as a producer.

In her previous film, ‘X’, she demonstrated her wide range as an actress by playing dual roles—young actress Maxine and elderly Pearl—through special makeup. For ‘Pearl’, to delve deeper into the character’s inner world and portray her younger years, she actively participated in the screenwriting process.

I believe this involvement allowed Mia Goth to successfully imbue the character of Pearl with a multi-layered appeal. The complex characterization—a girl who appears pure and dreamy on the surface yet harbors uncontrollable madness within—was likely only achievable because the performer was also involved in the creative process.

The big scene where Pearl’s dance fails, and she gives a long speech to her stepsister, Mitzi, really showcases Mia Goth’s talent. She expresses emotions that start out controlled but slowly build, pulling the viewer in.

Homage to Film History

Director Ti West pays homage to film history in Pearl. While his earlier film X paid tribute to 1970s low-budget horror, especially The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Pearl brings back the colorful Technicolor look of the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz.

The film creates fear using bright colors and sunlight, which goes against the usual rules of horror movies.

While many horror films create fear through darkness and night scenes, the film “Pearl” depicts a bloody tragedy in the light of day. This contrast actually amplifies the eeriness.

To me, Pearl feels like a mix between The Wizard of Oz and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?.

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) is a classic psychological thriller starring Betty Davis and Joan Crawford, two Hollywood actresses of yesteryear. Just as that film shows the unraveling of two sisters who were once stars, Pearl focuses on the madness sparked by unfulfilled dreams of stardom. Both stories connect failed aspirations to psychological decline.

The cruel truth depicted in the audition scene

One of the film’s most powerful moments is when Pearl auditions to be a dancer. This scene clearly shows the harsh difference between dreams and reality.

Pearl dances on stage, giving it her all. The audience might think she’s talented and could succeed, but the judges are cold, and she doesn’t pass the audition.

She didn’t fail because of her dancing or expression. The real reason was unrelated to talent: ‘This time, we’re looking for a young blonde woman.’

While filming the audition scene, Mia Goth’s dedication stood out. She spent weeks training in dance before shooting, making sure Pearl’s emotions matched her movements.

In the actual take, she let all her emotions out, showing Pearl’s mix of despair and hope through her whole body.

This scene shows that Pearl didn’t just want to be a star—she wanted to be loved. More than fame, she longed for recognition and affection.

The 2 minutes and 23 seconds of maniacal smiles etched into film history.

And arguably the greatest highlight of the film ‘Pearl’ is the end credits scene. Pearl welcomes her husband, Howard, home from the war. With a beaming smile, she tells him, “I’m so happy you’re home.” The camera then stays on a close-up of her face as the end credits begin to roll.

For 2 minutes and 23 seconds, Mia Goth doesn’t blink and keeps smiling. At first, her smile seems happy, but it slowly becomes more disturbing.

Her eyes shine with tears that almost fall, but she keeps smiling.

This mix of fear and amusement in her expression makes the end-credits scene a perfect symbol of the film as a whole.

The 1918 Pandemic and a Sense of Stagnation – A Quiet Message for Today

Pearl is set in 1918, the same year the Spanish flu pandemic spread worldwide. The film uses the threat of this disease as a backdrop.

Released in 2022, Pearl has special meaning for viewers who have lived through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The feelings of isolation, loneliness, and frustration people faced in 1918 are similar to those we’ve experienced in recent years.

The pandemic makes Pearl’s loneliness and struggles even worse. Her husband is away at war, and people in town avoid her out of fear of getting sick. This environment pushes her further toward madness.

Watching a young woman’s mind slowly break down in this stifling situation feels like a familiar kind of fear for people today.

Summary: The Thirst for Love and Resignation Hidden in a Mad Smile

Pearl uses horror to explore the universal human need to be loved and the consequences of failing to meet that need, reinforcing the idea that that inherent longing can fuel madness.

Unlike most horror movies that use darkness, many scenes in Pearl happen in bright daylight. This bold choice by Ti West makes even the gruesome scenes, like the dismemberment and the meal near the end, feel more disturbing because of the brightness.

Pearl wanted to be a star but ended up with nothing. Still, she decides to ‘cherish what she has’ and spends the next 60 years, before the events of X, with her husband, who loves her no matter what.

The 2 minutes and 23 seconds of smiles during the end credits encapsulate Pearl’s essence—a coexistence of happiness and madness rooted in her enduring need for love and recognition.

Seeing her maintain a smile while tears fill her eyes leaves a strong impression on viewers, heightening the film’s unsettling atmosphere.

Pearl combines Mia Goth’s rare talent, Ti West’s tribute to film history, and a timeless message. It’s a masterpiece that all film fans—not just horror lovers—should see.