First off, this is not a horror film. It is not.
Is it grotesque and gory? Yes. Scary? No.
Does this film have any Oscar-worthy performances, scenery, set design, or dialogue/monologues?
No.
Absolutely not.
The movie is really not that entertaining or even neat to look at.
It is nothing, if not a huge disappointment.
It only collects miles from the audience's knowledge that this very film was shot simultaneously while also making "X". Were this film to have truly arrived as it's meant to be here, and that is, first, prior to "X", not a prequel but a a free-standing solo property about Pearl long before "X" or any real knowledge of or about the movie, "X", then Pearl would be even less interesting and would gain even less of a following going into "X".
People watching Pearl are fans of "X", so, they're mostly bought in, already.
Pearl earns six stars based on the efforts and originality that is attempted and involved, not necessarily for any success due to these attempts.
It's trying really hard to look like a World War I era film.
It just doesn't quite do it.
Mia Goth is a good actress in this movie, she's a good actress in general but she's not great in this, and this material here is certainly not anything Oscar-worthy.
There are some solid performances from supporting cast.
David Corenswet as the projectionist, Matthew Sunderland, and Tandi Wright as Pearl's parents, all with stellar performances. Sunderland maybe most of all, for he is silent mostly while on screen but still delivers powerfully in his role.
This film strives to be a great many things but it ends up being great at none of those things.
Is it good for a one off?
Yeah, sure.
Should you watch if you wish to continue this announced trilogy? The third film, Maxxxine will take place in 1985 Hollywood. See the end credits scene at the conclusion of this film.
But the answer is yes.
So, at the end of this movie, you might be mildly entertained, slightly amused, but also totally grossed out.
Is it grotesque and gory? Yes. Scary? No.
Does this film have any Oscar-worthy performances, scenery, set design, or dialogue/monologues?
No.
Absolutely not.
The movie is really not that entertaining or even neat to look at.
It is nothing, if not a huge disappointment.
It only collects miles from the audience's knowledge that this very film was shot simultaneously while also making "X". Were this film to have truly arrived as it's meant to be here, and that is, first, prior to "X", not a prequel but a a free-standing solo property about Pearl long before "X" or any real knowledge of or about the movie, "X", then Pearl would be even less interesting and would gain even less of a following going into "X".
People watching Pearl are fans of "X", so, they're mostly bought in, already.
Pearl earns six stars based on the efforts and originality that is attempted and involved, not necessarily for any success due to these attempts.
It's trying really hard to look like a World War I era film.
It just doesn't quite do it.
Mia Goth is a good actress in this movie, she's a good actress in general but she's not great in this, and this material here is certainly not anything Oscar-worthy.
There are some solid performances from supporting cast.
David Corenswet as the projectionist, Matthew Sunderland, and Tandi Wright as Pearl's parents, all with stellar performances. Sunderland maybe most of all, for he is silent mostly while on screen but still delivers powerfully in his role.
This film strives to be a great many things but it ends up being great at none of those things.
Is it good for a one off?
Yeah, sure.
Should you watch if you wish to continue this announced trilogy? The third film, Maxxxine will take place in 1985 Hollywood. See the end credits scene at the conclusion of this film.
But the answer is yes.
So, at the end of this movie, you might be mildly entertained, slightly amused, but also totally grossed out.