Pearl & MaXXXine – Second Sight Make Epic First Impressions

Second Sight Films delivers two wicked slices of cinema in style.

When Second Sight Films rolls out a release, you know you’re getting the deluxe treatment. And this time, the boutique powerhouse has dropped not one, but two highly-anticipated entries from Ti West’s twisted cinematic universe. Whether you’re already obsessed with this saga or just dipping your toes into its blood-stained waters, Pearl and MaXXXine are arriving in the UK with the kind of premium polish that practically begs to sit front-and-center on your shelf.

These films couldn’t be more different in tone, texture, and attitude — but that’s the thrill of this double hit. One is a fever-dream character study dipped in candy-coated madness, the other a neon-slashed, Hollywood-soaked descent into paranoia and sleaze. And Second Sight gives both the royal treatment.

Let’s break them down Action Reloaded-style.

PEARL

A technicolor nightmare soaked in charm, sorrow, and unhinged ambition.

Mia Goth is a force of nature here — a full-throttle, no-brakes, soul-burning performance that turns Pearl into a stunning, slow-rotting fairytale of loneliness and delusion. Set on a rural farm where dreams go to die, the film captures Pearl’s craving for stardom and connection while everything around her — family, sanity, morality — just sort of… peels away.

What West does brilliantly is flip the slasher formula on its head. Instead of lurking in shadows, this film bathes every frame in bright, lush, almost storybook colors. The horror hits harder because it feels like it shouldn’t belong in this world. The musical swells, the pristine costumes, the sunlit fields — it’s all gorgeous, right up until the moment it isn’t.

The pacing may challenge some viewers — it’s deliberately patient, peeling away layers instead of hacking through them. But when the emotional dam breaks, it breaks spectacularly. Goth unleashes some of the most intense monologues the genre has seen in years, anchoring the entire film with a performance that’s impossible to shake.

Fans of character-driven horror will eat this up. Fans of gore will get their scraps too, don’t worry.

Action Reloaded Verdict:
A hypnotic blend of beauty and madness. Mia Goth is worth the price of admission alone.

MAXXXINE

Hollywood dreams. VHS nightmares. Neon-drenched chaos with blades to match.

Jump to the 80s, crank up the synths, and drop yourself into an era where VHS ruled, killers stalked the headlines, and neon signs buzzed over every sleazy back alley. That’s the world of MaXXXine. It’s grittier, louder, faster — a turbo-charged sequel that follows Maxine Minx clawing her way toward superstardom while bodies hit the floor around her.

The cast is stacked like a who’s-who of genre powerhouses — Kevin Bacon sleazing it up as a PI, Elizabeth Debicki channeling icy perfection, Michelle Monaghan and Bobby Cannavale adding cop-movie energy, and Halsey stealing scenes with swagger. Everyone here feels like they stepped out of a grimy 80s thriller and into West’s fever dream.

Stylistically, the film is a blast. Split-screens, razor-gloved killers, clouds of cigarette smoke, flickering marquees — it’s a love letter to giallo, grindhouse, and Hollywood exploitation all rolled into one. West flexes every stylistic muscle he’s got, and visually, MaXXXine is the sharpest of the trilogy.

Narratively, it swings for the fences — maybe too hard at times — but when the film barrels ahead with its pulpy energy, it’s a hell of a ride. Goth brings her trademark ferocity back to center stage, even when the story throws everything at her at once.

If you grew up on Body Double, Maniac, and late-night VHS rentals… this one’s going to hit you right in the nostalgia.

Action Reloaded Verdict:
Messy? Sure. Ambitious? Absolutely. Stylish? Off the charts. A wild, bloody love-letter to 80s sleaze cinema.

SECOND SIGHT FILMS – THE RELEASES

If there’s one thing Second Sight guarantees, it’s premium technical quality, and both films look jaw-dropping in 4K. Vibrant HDR, strong grain, deep blacks, bold color — they’ve knocked it out of the park. Add in their signature mountain of commentaries, interviews, essays, and collector’s extras, and you’re getting the definitive versions of both titles.

Audiophiles will love the Atmos mixes — they are fully dynamic, punchy, and immersive.

Collectors?
These releases are must-owns. Plain and simple.

Second Sight Films continues their reign as kings of prestige genre releases. Pearl is a beautifully haunting descent into ambition and madness. MaXXXine is a loud, sleazy, neon-soaked punch to the face. Together, they make one hell of a one-two combo.

If you love bold horror filmmaking — or if you simply love physical media done right — these belong in your collection immediately.

Check out more reviews at Action Reloaded!