Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Ti West's X.
Director Ti West already has an X sequel on the way — here's everything we know about the Pearl movie to date. Released domestically on March 18th, 2022, Ti West's erotic horror X opened to highly positive reviews, with critics noting X's desire to return to a well-trodden slasher formula that serves as a poignant homage to classics like John Carpenter's Halloween and Dario Argento's seminal Tenebre. X's immediate success has given rise to a follow-up movie, with the bleak ending of West's movie leaving ample room for further explorations around the story.
Yet despite Sheriff Dentler (James Gaylyn) finding RJ's tape at the end of X, the narrative isn't over, and the prequel for Ti West's new slasher movie Pearl now has a trailer and a confirmed release date. West has outlined his vision for Pearl (per LA Times), saying that the prequel "will be a melodrama meets the Technicolor style of Mary Poppins... made as a demented Disney movie."
Ti West has already confirmed that Pearl will act as a prequel for X by following the titular antagonist in her younger years. Set during World War I in 1918, the movie will explore Pearl's origins and shed light on how the setting for most of X's violence – the cabin – was once used as a boarding house during the war. With this in mind, here's everything we know about Ti West's X prequel, including Pearl's release date, story, and cast.
How X Sets Up The Pearl Prequel Movie
Although X ends with finality for Pearl's (Mia Goth) character as her head is squashed by a truck wheel, Ti West's movie subtly sets up several avenues for the Pearl prequel. The biggest of these is the reveal that Maxine (also played by A Cure For Wellness' Mia Goth) is the daughter of a conservative Christian whose speeches frequently played on Pearl and Howard's TV, indicating the now-dead couple's links to a more religious world than X deigns to reveal across its runtime. In addition to Maxine's heritage setting up an origin narrative, X also includes ample nods to the youth for which Pearl once again hungers, with West almost imploring audiences to wonder about an earlier time in the lives of Pearl and Howard (Stephen Ure) and their transformation into killers. Based on the latest Pearl footage, the movie looks set to follow this through.
Pearl Movie Cast & Characters
Several of Pearl's characters and cast members have been confirmed. Mia Goth's Pearl returns, and the actress also serves as a writer on the project. In addition, Tandi Wright (The Returned), David Corenswet (The Politician), Emma Jenkins-Purro (Bygones), and Matthew Sunderland (Out of the Blue) will likely be playing members of Pearl's family or boarding house residents. Additionally, there is a strong chance that a younger version of Howard could be portrayed in Pearl, with X leaving how the murderous couple met largely shrouded in mystery.
Pearl Release Date
Surprisingly, Pearl will be dropping just 6 short months after the release of X, with the release date set for September 16th, 2022. Director Ti West confirmed that Pearl was entering post-production in March 2022, with the score being finished in May. According to West, the majority of Pearl was filming during the same time as X, making the prequel horror movie one of the quickest turnarounds ever.
A24's Official Pearl Trailer
If the trailer is anything to go by, the newest Pearl footage promises a bloody good time. Based on the clips, the storyline will follow a younger Pearl as she struggles with trying to become a star despite pushback from her devout relatives. The protagonist fights but slowly succumbs to her killer instincts, presumably offing her entire family. With all of this in mind, Pearl is set to be a great new slasher film and origin story, making the X prequel well worth the incredibly short wait.