These types of pictures turn regular folks into stars.
Ad content continues below
Beginning With the Movies In Mind
West connectsXtoPearlwith the respective films opening shots.
Xbegins with a static shot of the farmhouse from inside the barn.
The drone of cicadas greets the viewer during the production logos, before we even see the movie proper.
Pearlalso opens by looking at the farmhouse through a barn.
Opening credits unfurl across the screen in the manner of classic movies.
What is Wrong With Pearl?
Xcan be a disturbing watch, and not just because of the violence on display.
However, West reveals Pearls true motivations with the movies first kill.
When RJ gets out of his truck to check on her, Pearl makes sexual advances toward him.
Why wont you look at me?
she asks when he backs away.
I want you to look at me like you look at her.
But the scene doesnt end with the kill.
Instead, it turns romantic when blood spurts from RJs neck onto the trucks headlight.
A warm red light engulfs Pearl as she mounts RJs body and begins thrusting.
The shift doesnt erase the horror of RJs death, nor of the kills that follow.
But it does disrupt our understanding of Pearl.
She doesnt just kill because shes a horny old lady.
Theres something tragic and moving about her, something that the prequel explores.
Movies Make the Best of What Pearl Has
How bout a movie nobody has ever seen?
Its reality, the projectionist intones.
And its no secret that we all share a fascination in seeing people as they are.
I dont like reality, Pearl responds, and with good reason.
One day youll understand getting what you want isnt whats important, her mother grumbles.
Making the most of what you have is.
Life rarely turns out how you expect.
you gotta be prepared for that if you ever want to be happy.
The scene ends with Pearl glaring at her mother and sighing.
But the ending of the film proves that shes learned her lesson.
Ill do whatever you want, Mitsy pleads.
Its not what I want anymore, Mitsy, responds Pearl.
Its about making the most of what I have.
That statement might sound like Pearl has resigned herself to the austerity advised by her late relatives.
But the actions that follow suggest otherwise.
In that moment, Pearl demonstrates how she makes the best of what she has.
She transforms it into something cinematic, which is the only better that Pearl accepts.
Pearl still sees herself that way when a bunch of would-be filmmakers happen upon her farmhouse inX.
