Earlier this year we were treated to X, the deranged old people horror from Ti West and A24 — a slasher movie where a team of sex workers and porn filmmakers creating their next XXX movie on a Texas ranch are massacred by the aggressively evangelical elderly couple who live there. Then came Pearl, an origin story for the villainous old lady with the same name (our review of which you can read here). But if you thought that was it – surprise, bitches! Ti West is catapulting us into the post-X future with a newly announced sequel, this time titled MaXXXine.
A teaser trailer was unveiled following Pearl’s North American premiere last night at the Toronto International Film Festival that didn’t give away any plot details. Starting with the familiar whirr of a VHS camcorder, we watch a camera pan around the LA hills to unveil the iconic Hollywood sign, only transformed into the movie’s title: “MAXXXINE”.
The movie is said to be inspired by the VHS boom of the 80s, which lined up with where X leaves off. It’s set to chronicle Maxine’s ambitious fight to become a movie star after surviving Pearl’s murderous wrath in X.
Beyond that, details of MaXXXine are pretty scarce right now, but in the meantime, catch up on everything to know about Pearl before it hits theatres, including the plot, new cast, trailer and release date.
What is the plot of Pearl?
Set in 1918, in the midst of World War I, at the same cabin from the original movie, currently operating as a boarding house — Mia Goth plays the titular Pearl. In X, Pearl just wanted to feel sexy again and be dicked down by a himbo hunk (if she was alive today her anthem would be Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful”) but that led to her reacting in malevolent ways. In this prequel, she dreams of being a star but is limited by having to care for her immobile father. When the opportunity for one young girl in the village to become a star comes along, Pearl is seemingly ready to take it by any gory means necessary.
According to Ti, Pearl is more like a “demented Disney movie”, more melodramatic than the last and with a technicolour theme palette like Mary Poppins, inspired by the work of 1950s German filmmaker Douglas Sirk.
Who from the cast of X is returning for Pearl?
Seeing as the movie is set 61 years prior to the events of X, Mia Goth is the only actor returning to reprise their role. Although her impotent husband Howard will also be a character in the sequel, Stephen Ure, the actor who played him, will not be taking on the role of a young Howard.
Who else is in the cast of Pearl?
Young Howard will be played by David Corenswet who has previously been in a couple of Ryan Murphy vehicles, including a role as hot wannabe actor Jack in Hollywood. Alongside Mia and David are New Zealand actors Tandi Wright (Love and Monsters), Matthew Sunderland and Emma Jenkins-Purro, all in as yet undisclosed roles.
Who is behind the camera of Pearl?
Horror aficionado Ti West is at the helm of this project produced by A24 and Little Lamb. Mia Goth also wrote the script along with Ti. Sam Levinson, creator of Euphoria, and his partner Alice, executive produced the movie along with Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi) who had a starring role in the original.
Is there a trailer for Pearl?
Yes, the chaotic trailer shows Mia Goth’s Pearl and how similar, in terms of looks, personality and dreams, she was to Max — Mia’s other character in the first movie. The trailer also promises that the menacing crocodile in the lake which gave us heart palpitations in X will be returning for the sequel too.
What is the release date for Pearl?
Pearl premiered out of competition at the 79th Venice Film Festival, along with the Harry Styles thriller Don’t Worry Darling, and will be hitting US cinemas on 16 September. As of yet an international release has not been announced.