Pearl (X)

Not to be confused with Pearl (2022 film).
Pearl
X character
Mia Goth as Pearl
Mia Goth as Pearl in Pearl
First appearance
  • X
  • 2022
Last appearance
Created byTi West
Portrayed byMia Goth
In-universe information
Full namePearl Douglas
Occupation
  • Farmer
SpouseHoward Douglas
Relatives
  • Unnamed father
  • Ruth (mother)
  • Mitsy Douglas (sister-in-law)
  • Margaret Douglas (mother-in-law)

Pearl is a fictional character from the X film series, played by Mia Goth. Pearl first appears as the antagonist in X (2022) and returns as the villainous protagonist and title character in its prequel, Pearl (2022). She is mentioned in the third film, MaXXXine (2024), appearing through flashback sequences. In X, Goth was cast as both Pearl and the final girl, Maxine. Director Ti West explained that this was to display the similarities between the two characters and admitted that a dual role for them was intended from the beginning, as he looked at them as "different characters but the same person".[1] Goth commented that she gained many interpretations of Pearl's character throughout production, and felt sympathetic towards Pearl in X. The actress noted she preferred to think of her character as neither a villain nor a victim.

Having enjoyed several discussions about the character, and believing she would be the "stand-out" of X,[2] Goth and West wrote a prequel to the film. The prequel, later titled Pearl after the character, was written to take place during World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic. It was filmed immediately after X and Goth reprised her role as Pearl. The film set to focus on how Pearl's background led to her becoming a killer without making attempts to excuse her behavior. Goth characterized the younger Pearl as "a dreamer" and "an emotional person who wears her heart on her sleeve and is quite sensitive".[3] Goth's performances in both films received universal critical acclaim as critics agreed that her varied and committed portrayal was a highlight of the film series. Similarly, critics sang praises of Pearl's characterization throughout the franchise, with the character being deemed a modern-day example of a "horror icon".[4]

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  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Explained was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Gift was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Icon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).