DON’T WORRY DARLING overcomes controversy to take top spot at the Box Office in its opening weekend with $19.2 million from 4,113 theatres for Warner Bros. Despite a score of 36% from Critics on the Tomatometer, Moviegoers could not resisit the allure of Harry Styles and Florence Pugh.
In second is last week’s topper, THE WOMAN KING with $11.6 million for Sony Pictures from 3,765 theatres, a total $36.2 million over two weeks in North America.
The re-release of AVATAR is third and takes $10 million for 20th Century Studios, playing at 1,800 theatres. It’s total theatrical run comes to $770.5 million.
Fourth is BARBARIAN with $4.8 million from 2,340 theatres for 20th Century Studios, a three week gross of $28.4 million.
PEARL rounds-out our Top Five with $1.9 million for A24/VVS Films, a two week total of $6.6 million.
Moviegoers are showing-up for THE WOMAN KING, debuting at #1 this weekend for Sony Pictures with $16 million from 3,271 theatres. The Film, which just premiered at TIFF ’22, has received a stellar 94% on the Tomatometer.
In second is the Horror BARBARIAN, with $4.5 million for 20th Century Studios, a total $20 million over two weeks. It plays in 2,340 theatres.
PEARL debuts in third with $3.6 million from 2,900 theatres for VVS Films/A24, after premiering earlier this week at TIFF as well. This Prequel to Horror X, which came out earlier this year, gets 86% on the Tomatometer and we can expect a third Film for a Trilogy per Director Ti West.
BULLET TRAIN is in fourth with $2.4 million from 3,056 theatres for Sony Pictures, as it edges so close to the $100 million mark domestically.
TOP GUN: MAVERICK rounds out our Top Five with $2.2 million for Paramount Pictures. It now is at $709 million in earnings in North America over 16 weekends, never missing Top Five.
By Amanda Gilmore
Ti West brings us back to the killer farm from his hit slasher X, but this time to tell us the origin story of psycho-biddy Pearl (Mia Goth).
The Film takes place decades before X, in 1918. The war is happening in Europe and influenza has swept its way across America. Because of this, Pearl has been trapped and isolated on her family’s farm tending to her ill father (Matthew Sunderland) and enduring her cruel, controlling mother (Tandi Wright). However, Pearl has had enough of her life on the farm and dreams of becoming a star. She wants her new life so bad, that she’ll kill for it.
Co-Writers West and Goth have brought us a riveting character study of a murderess. Pearl is mesmerizing from the first moment we see her. West and Goth have achieved creating a sinister character we feel conflicted by. This tug-of-war with our emotions works due to the insurmountable performance from Goth. Her full commitment makes us sympathize with a psycho-killer. Both her performance and the script give Pearl depth that causes us to relate.
However, we are constantly shown how her short fuse leads to merciless acts of violence. And the kills in this one are to die for. There are pitchforks, axes, and that alligator from X is back — waiting patiently for its feed. But again, West and Goth humanize their murderess. And even after everything we’ve witnessed her do, an enthralling monologue makes us empathize with her suffering. Goth is outstanding in both the psychotic moments of her character and the starry-eyed dreamer. She truly gives a tour-de-force, masterclass in acting.
Not only is the story tightly written, but the overall film is thoughtfully put together. Everything is shot with a vibrant Technicolour hue from Cinematographer Eliot Rockett, and the whimsical score by Tyler Bates gives classic Hollywood vibes. Therefore, bringing us into the world of 1918 and Pearl’s stardom dreams.
You don’t have to watch X to have a devilishly good time watching Pearl. However, they are the two halves that make a killer whole and complete a wicked double feature.
Pearl screens at TIFF ’22 as follows:
Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON at Royal Alexandra Theatre at 11:59 pm
Tur, Sep 13 IN-PERSON at Cinesphere IMAX at 9:30 pm
VVS Films releases PEARL in cinemas Friday, September 16, 2022.
So relieved to have made it through the most hectic portion of TIFF ’22 in terms of star power and we look forward to enjoying the Festival for Movies! How about that?
Today was a notch quieter but still had some amazing encounters with a few Casts still in-town or debuting their Films tonight!
THE WHALE
DALILAND
CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY
PEARL
THE SON
DEVOTION
TIFF ’22 SURVIVAL PACK WINNER
So happy to have draw the winner of our annual TIFF Survival Pack winner with prizes from some of our official Festival partners! Congratulations, Melissa! You’ve been a supporter for many years and we appreciate you!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
We loved X so much and how amazing is it that the Prequel is on its way already? Those of us attending TIFF will be so lucky to see it first!
Synopsis:
Filmmaker Ti West returns with another chapter from the twisted world of X, in this astonishing follow-up to the year’s most acclaimed horror film. Trapped on her family’s isolated farm, Pearl must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations, and repressions all collide, in the stunning, technicolor-inspired origin story of X’s iconic villain.
VVS Films release PEARL September 16, 2022.
(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)
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