Pearl (2022) review

In this prequel to 2022's X, the "origin story" of German farm girl Pearl (Mia Goth, who co-wrote the screenplay) is "explored": she's living with her terminally ill father (Matthew Sunderland), a controlling mother (Tandi Wright) and her husband's fighting in World War I ... but all she wants to do is become a professional dancer and leave town.  I don't think it's possible for West to ever do anything with any degree of nuance or subtlety - look, a dead pig is slowly getting devoured by maggots! - and this includes giving his lead character an exceptionally long monologue in which she "spells out" every one of her problems to sister-in-law Mitzy (Emma Jenkins-Purro) ... but that being said, the black comedy aspect to it (to go along with the nod to old Hollywood) makes it a refreshingly off-kilter experience.  The final shot, of Mia cackling into the camera with her face twisting in joy and torment, sends it off on just the right dark note....