Pearl

I added a side note in my quick review for this film's predecessor, 'X,' released this past March, that Mia Goth was "quite alluring," and what struck me reading it again now was that even then, just a few months ago, she was relegated to "side note" - because here with 'Pearl' it is clearly not the case (and nor was it with 'X').

Time will tell if Ms Goth's performance can be classified more as "memorable," for the history books, but at this moment I feel it's worthy of an Oscar nomination. Just the fact an actor in horror could even be in a conversation regarding the Oscars, is Oscar-worthy enough, so I think there's no better time than now to help bring more people back to the Oscars show, which is notoriously in rapid decline, by starting to TAKE HORROR SERIOUSLY ... and nominate this outstanding performance.

As for the movie, it's a blast. If you've not seen 'X' it is strongly recommended to watch that first to enhance the experience of 'Pearl.' Whether one can really describe this whole trilogy experience as truly DIY, when a studio like A24 is producing it, is up for debate, but still there's something rugged about this whole thing that is really enhancing the experience. Slashers and musicals! Grime and Douglas Sirk! The short notice announcements themselves recall childhood where one wouldn't know a movie was coming out until they saw the newspaper ad a week before it's release (which explains the recent fandom of old movie newspaper clippings, of which I am guilty). There's a true PASSION on display here with West, Goth, the entire crew, really. It's felt, and feels sincere, adding to the experience of watching these films, and now, their performances.

Mia Gypsy Mello da Silva Goth. Alluring, still. Long live the Queen.