Next up in our A24orror series is a familiar double feature to fans of The Frida Cinema–Ti West’s X and its prequel Pearl!

In X, a group of filmmakers sets out to make an adult film in rural Texas, only to encounter the terrifying and unpredictable wrath of the elderly couple who own the property. What begins as a somewhat playful, low-budget production soon becomes a nightmarish struggle for survival, as the film takes on themes of aging, exploitation, and the dangerous allure of indulgence. Mia Goth, in a standout performance, brings an unsettling complexity to the film, playing both the innocent starlet and the crazed, murderous antagonist. X is equal parts slasher and grindhouse homage, but with a layer of social commentary about the exploitation of youth and beauty.

Then, we jump into Pearl, a haunting prequel that digs deep into the backstory of Pearl, the character played by Mia Goth in X. Set in 1918, Pearl is a young woman with big dreams of becoming a star, but she’s trapped in a life of caregiving and oppressive isolation on her family’s farm. Her growing frustration and desire to break free from the constraints of her small, rural life drive her into darker, more violent territory. Pearl is an almost operatic exploration of ambition, madness, and the disillusionment that comes with chasing a dream at any cost. Goth’s performance is nothing short of mesmerizing, with the film blending campy horror with psychological depth in a way that’s both tragic and terrifying.