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Arist's Blog #220 - Pearl (2022)

Thank you Tubi! I Finally Got to Watch Pearl!

Pearl had been sitting on my watchlist for a long time, one of those films that somehow remains just out of reach no matter how much interest you have in it. I had been actively looking for access to it for quite a while, but I never quite found a way to watch it that felt worth committing to. It was another familiar situation where timing and availability dictated the experience more than intention. I didn’t want to pay for it, and as a result, it kept getting pushed further down the list. Now that it’s 2026, Pearl finally appeared on Tubi, and that changed everything. With no barrier in the way, I jumped in immediately, and I can say without hesitation that I’m completely glad I did. Very quickly, this film became one of my favorite movies I’ve ever seen, which is not something I say lightly. I’m looking forward to watching X and MaXXXine as well, but Pearl deserves to be discussed on its own terms, because what it accomplishes as an origin story is remarkable. Grab your red dresses and axes ladies and let's jump into my thoughts on this awesome movie!

Surrealism and The Wizard of Oz Vibing in Pearl

One of the first things that stood out to me was how much Pearl visually and thematically echoed The Wizard of Oz. The cornfields, the scarecrows, and even the way Pearl moves through the landscape immediately brought that imagery to mind. There’s a moment with a bicycle that feels like a deliberate visual nod, especially in the way it travels through open farmland. There’s no Toto, of course, but the fantasy-leaning framing is there, giving the film a heightened quality that never feels accidental.

That sense of fantasy blends seamlessly with surrealism throughout the film, and the use of color is a major reason why. The palette is bold, saturated, and incredibly intentional. Pearl’s bright red dress is unforgettable, standing in sharp contrast to the surrounding farmland, while the blue ribbons in her hair add a striking secondary accent. Inside the house, the wallpaper patterns are overwhelming in a way that feels psychologically purposeful, creating a visual environment that reflects the pressure building inside the character. Set in 1918, the old farmhouse, wide skies, and endless fields are beautifully presented, to the point where the location itself feels like a character.

Pearl is Artistic Through and Through

The presentation of Pearl is consistently artistic, right down to the smallest details. The opening text, with its bold white lettering and subtle drop shadow, immediately establishes a sense of confidence and style. Throughout the film, the camera frequently frames Pearl through doorways, windows, and oddly shaped architectural elements, turning the house into a series of visual cages. Shots from inside the house looking outward through grated windows are particularly effective, creating strange geometric divisions that heighten the sense of unease without calling attention to themselves.

Pearl’s dance sequences are another standout element. When she dances, the film shifts into something more internal and impressionistic. Her dress twirls, her movements become exaggerated, and reality begins to bend around her. The scene where she imagines herself dancing alongside women dressed in men’s G.I. uniforms feels hallucinatory, as though her inner fantasy is briefly allowed to overwrite the world around her. These moments are not just visually striking; they provide crucial insight into how Pearl sees herself and how disconnected she is from the life she’s actually living.

Pearl's Timing and Psychological Impact

Initially, I was concerned about the pacing of the film. Pearl takes its time, moving slowly enough that it demands patience. However, that concern completely disappeared as the story unfolded. There is a point where everything clicks into place, and when it does, the pacing adjusts organically to match the narrative shift. From that moment on, the rhythm feels perfect. The slow build isn’t a flaw; it’s essential to the film’s emotional temperature and adds to the cold, creeping dread that defines the experience.

The psychological elements of Pearl are handled with precision. Pearl’s responsibility for caring for her incapacitated father and her emotionally rigid mother creates an oppressive domestic environment. Her mother, a stern German woman, switches between English and German, sometimes refusing to engage with the outside world altogether. Her refusal to read newspapers out of fear of hearing about Germans dying during World War I adds a layer of historical authenticity, reminding us how German Americans were often viewed with suspicion during that time. Another thing about her mother that I loved - she was a Stoic no doubt.

One of the Best On Screen Psychopaths I've Ever Seen

What impressed me most about Pearl is how it depicts psychopathy through conversation rather than spectacle. Pearl engages people calmly at first, but as she speaks, her grasp on reality begins to slip. You can see the moment when the person she’s talking to realizes something is wrong, and that realization is where the real tension lives. They try to disengage, but Pearl continues talking, pulling them back in, refusing to let the interaction end on their terms. These scenes feel disturbingly authentic. I’ve known people in real life who later turned out to be genuinely dangerous, people whose casual conversations hinted at something far darker beneath the surface. Pearl captures that uneasy moment when your instincts tell you something isn’t right, but you haven’t yet processed the danger you’re in. The film does this especially well in the scenes involving Pearl’s boyfriend and, most notably, her sister-in-law.

That sister-in-law scene is absolutely spellbinding. The monologue feels endless in the most effective way possible, as Pearl genuinely believes she’s speaking to her husband while completely unraveling the person sitting across from her. It represents one of the most convincing portrayals of a cinematic psychopath I’ve ever seen. Films like Natural Born Killers come close, but Pearl feels more grounded and unsettling because of how real the interactions feel.

Even when the violence becomes more stylized, it never crosses into excess. The brief kaleidoscopic visual effect during one of the dismemberment sequences didn’t fully work for me, but it’s a minor complaint in an otherwise incredibly controlled film. The ending, with Pearl holding that unnaturally long smile as her husband returns, is deeply uncomfortable and completely perfect for the tone of the film. I have very few complaints about Pearl. This is a film I will absolutely watch again, and it’s one I’ve already recommended. As far as portrayals of psychopathy in cinema go, Pearl stands at the very top for me. Another quick note, I really dig her "pet" crocodile too. I wonder if she jumped in would he eat her?

Final Thoughts and Buy My Art

One thing that Pearl touched on that I gave some thought to was the idea of the boyfriend and the husband. First, I don't condone extramarital affairs but, I can imagine that in 1918 life was hard on a young married woman. She would have been lonely for sure and in constant worry over her husband's return. Would he die? Would he return maimed? The torment of worry would have been almost unbearable. 1918 wasn't like today where we have emails, etc. that allow information to travel so quickly. She would have to wait on a letter from overseas and wonder if the husband had died in a battle days after sending. Would her reply letter never reach him? It reminded me of a haunting story my grandmother told me. She said that during WWII she remembered that every so often a "black fellow" would walk down the street she lived on. The woman would go onto their porch and hope he passed them by because if he stopped, it meant one thing.

Invisible Katana Artwork - No reproductions. No prints. No NFTs. Just one-of-a-kind mixed media art from a guy who still thinks movies with overexaggerated saturation are visually stunning. Also, I miss my granny. One more thing - there is Pearl fan art on deck. I just need to find an axe head. I wish I would have spent more time with her and recorded conversations. Buy my art here. Peace.