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All The "X" And "Pearl" Movie Details And Similarities You Never Noticed

In 2022, A24 released two companion horror films by writer/director Ti West: X and the prequel, Pearl.

Movie poster of
Everett Collection

Both films star Mia Goth in various roles. In some cases, playing multiple characters at the same time while wearing prosthetic makeup.

Three images of Mia Goth; one as young Maxine, one as old Pearl, one as young Pearl.
A24

The films are very different from each other in look and tone, but there are many links between the two films, though they take place 60 years apart.

One 4:3 image of Maxine in the barn, the other of Pearl in the barn.
A24

Let's take a look at X and Pearl to see all the callbacks, similarities, and Easter eggs.

Wayne looks through holes in the barn wall.  Pearl looks through the movie projector hole in the wall.
A24

Obviously, spoilers ahead.

Maxine holds her finger to her mouth motioning a "Shhh."  Young Pearl does the same in another image.
A24

1.Both films start off with the same shot.

One Image of the barn through semi closed doors.  The other is the barn in a wide brightly lit image.

2.Both lead characters — Pearl and Maxine — dream of being famous.

Maxine looks longingly.  Pearl looks longingly.

Shortly after X's Maxine is introduced, she proclaims: "I need to be famous, Wayne. All the best people are."

Early in Pearl's story, Pearl prays to become a successful dancer: "Please, Lord, make me the biggest star the world has ever known."

A24

3.Each film features visual motifs from their respective time period.

A blond holds a clapboard in a grainy 16mm film image.  Pearl in a red dress dances with military men in a wide Technicolor image.

4.People are always looking for "The X Factor."

Wayne and Bobby-Lynne watch the shot.  A table of stern people look on.

In X, producer Wayne assures Maxine that she has "The X Factor," making her a sure thing in the porn trade.

In Pearl, the judges of the dance contest do not see "The X Factor" in Pearl's performance, forcing her life to spin further out of control.

A24

5.Pearl literally stands on an "X."

Pearl in a red dress stands on a white "X".

In a not-so-veiled homage to its predecessor film, Pearl literally takes her place on the stage by stepping on a white "X" taped to the dance floor.

A24

6.The male costars introduce our heroines to the world of pornography.

Close up shot of Wayne looks through holes in the barn wall. Close up shot as Pearl looks through the movie projector hole in the wall.

7.There are some strange sex scenes.

Old Pearl lays down in bed with a sleeping Maxine.  Young Pearl looks up at a scarecrow in a field.

8.The alligator lives a long time.

A high shot of someone swimming in a lake, an alligator close behind.  Another shot of an alligator approaching a man in a wheelchair.

9.The pitchfork is Pearl's weapon of choice.

A silhouette holding a pitchfork.  A wide shot of pearl stabbing someone on the ground in the face with a pitchfork.

In both films, there are deaths by knife, axe, fire, and even alligator. But the pitchfork seems to be Pearl's weapon of choice.

A24

10.Howard has been around since the beginning.

An old and angry Howard. A young Howard returns home in his WWI uniform.

11.Hiding cars in the swamp is commonplace for Pearl and Howard.

Jackson finds a VW Beetle in the swamp. An old car enters the swamp, a dead body inside and blood on the windshield.

12.Both lead characters have domineering parents.

A black and white TV image of an old man talking into a microphone.  An image of an angry middle aged lady.

13.The Farmer's Daughters

Maxine looks at a script.  Young Pearl is in the bathtub with her father nearby in a wheelchair.

The name of the porn script they are shooting in X is called The Farmer's Daughters.

In the events of 1918, that is exactly what Pearl is...until she kills her parents, of course.

A24

14.Dancing is a key component to understanding Pearl.

A black and white photo of young Pearl dancing.  A black and white film image of Pearl dancing.

In X, old Pearl reminisces about how she used to be a dancer.

Pearl showcases her passion for dance and how it actually helps lead to her downfall.

A24

15.Pearl's hair brush lasts for decades.

Close up of an ornate silver hairbrush.  The same hairbrush being used on the hair of a burn victim.

Pearl can be seen brushing her mother's burnt hair in 1918 with the same ornate hairbrush she uses on herself in 1979. Why throw out a classic?

A24

16."I will not accept a life I do not deserve."

Maxine holds out a gun, nearby a black and white TV shows an old man with a microphone.  An image of a pristine movie theater and marquee from 1918.

And finally, the biggest thing that both films have in common...

Maxine's head as she floats in the water.
A24

17....Mia Goth is incredible in both films!

A24 / Via giphy.com

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Whether she is playing Young Pearl, Old Pearl, Maxine, or anything in between, 2022 has proven to be Mia Goth's year to shine. Even if you are not a horror fan, you can't deny the pure talent she emits from the screen. She is a must-watch for any lover of cinema.

I'm sure there are some details I've missed. All you eagle-eyed viewers out there, let me know in the comments below.

Pearl smiles largely at the camera.
A24

Pearl is out now in theaters. Buy tickets at Cinemark or Fandango.

Pearl crying
A24/Courtesy Everett Collection

And X is available with video on demand.

The cast of X walks through a field
A24/Courtesy Everett Collection

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