4K Ultra HD Analysis – Pearl (2022)

      **Pearl, 2022.**

      Directed by Ti West.

      Featuring Mia Goth, David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, Matthew Sunderland, Alistair Sewell, and Emma Jenkins-Purro.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      Set in 1918, a young woman teetering on the edge of insanity seeks fame as a desperate way to escape the monotony, solitude, and lack of love in her life on her parents' farm.

      I found immense pleasure in revisiting *Pearl* on 4K, realizing how unapologetically Ti West embraces the aesthetics of classic Hollywood while allowing a much darker narrative to simmer beneath the surface. While *X* paid tribute to grindhouse slasher films and sun-drenched exploitation cinema, *Pearl* takes a completely different path, crafting the origin story of its aging murderer as a lush Technicolor melodrama in full bloom. The restoration of this aesthetic in Second Sight's UHD release enhances its peculiar charm even further. The film appears as if it has emerged from the late 1930s, only to wreak havoc in the countryside.

      Set against the backdrop of the 1918 influenza pandemic, the film transports us back to the farm where *X* would later take place. Pearl, portrayed with remarkable dedication by Mia Goth, is a young woman ensnared in a life that is rapidly constricting around her. Her husband is away at war, her father is paralyzed and entirely reliant on her, and her stern and weary mother views Pearl's aspirations with skepticism. Amidst this grim domesticity lies a dream: the chance to become a dancer, a fantasy ignited by flickering newsreels and the flattering attention of a local projectionist.

      West's brightest touch is how he intricately weaves this fantasy into the film's form. The color palette is vibrantly saturated, as if someone has extracted the last rays of sunlight from a lost Douglas Sirk film. The fields radiate green, the skies blaze blue, and Pearl's dresses nearly burst from the screen. This 4K release amplifies the effect dramatically. The Dolby Vision grading enhances the warmth and intensity of these colors, propelling the film into the realm of fairy tale, even as its narrative delves deeper into psychological tragedy.

      Amidst this striking visual beauty, Goth delivers an extraordinary performance that grounds every scene. Her portrayal is tender, vulnerable, terrifying, and heartbreakingly candid. Though Pearl may be on the path to becoming a murderer, Goth captures the profound vulnerability that motivates her character. She yearns for acknowledgment, value, and significance in her life. Goth meticulously traces every crack in Pearl's psyche with unsettling precision. The now-iconic monologue, conveyed almost entirely in one take, serves as the film's emotional core, culminating in a poignant expression of longing and self-deception. It stands out as one of the finest examples of screen acting I've encountered.

      As a horror film, *Pearl* is distinctive. The number of murders is less than what the trailers might indicate, with each one arising not from genre expectations but from Pearl's despair. West avoids the temptation of creating set-piece spectacles, allowing the character's unraveling to fuel the violence, resulting in a quiet tension that seldom erupts into grand displays. This creates a hybrid of grand melodrama and psychological thriller. Horror enthusiasts anticipating a blood-soaked experience might find it tempered, but this restraint is intentional.

      Regarding the 4K disc, Second Sight's presentation is outstanding. The image is pristine, sharp, and vibrantly dynamic. The color grading, integral to the film's design, is executed with exceptional diligence. Reds radiate warmth, greens vibrate with vitality, and the deep blacks of the farmhouse interiors possess a richness that complements the film's gothic undertones. The Dolby Atmos audio enhances the orchestral score, allowing the sweeping strings to fill the room while drawing attention to smaller sonic details with surprising intimacy.

      The bonus features are plentiful. Newly conducted interviews with West, Goth's co-stars, production designer Tom Hammock, and cinematographer Eliot Rockett provide valuable insights into the film's development. Alexandra Heller-Nicholas’ commentary is filled with extensive analysis, and the short legacy features offer lighter behind-the-scenes glimpses. As a complete package, it exceeds the previous A24 release effortlessly.

      *Pearl* remains a daringly bold and beautifully crafted character exploration that merges old Hollywood allure with the horror of a mind disintegrating. The 4K enhancement makes this combination feel richer than ever. It stands out as one of the most visually stunning and surprisingly brilliant films I have ever watched.

      **SEE ALSO:** Read our review of Second Sight’s 4K Ultra HD release of *MaXXXine* here.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★