Top 10 Kills in the X and Pearl Horror Movies

WM-Film-Top-10-Kills-in-the-X-and-Pearl_W9R7X7

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most shocking and brutal kills in Ti West’s horror films “X” and “Pearl.” As we’ll be revealing character fates, a spoiler warning is now in effect.

#10: Jackson Hole

“X” (2022)

Vietnam veteran turned adult film actor Jackson Hole was by all accounts one groovy guy. Unfortunately, the well-endowed star didn’t know what he was getting himself into when he agreed to make an X-rated film on a rural Texas farm. He certainly didn’t anticipate Howard and Pearl, the elderly couple who own the farm, to be his ultimate undoing. While out looking for his wife, a shotgun-wielding Howard sets his sights on Jackson. After telling his unwelcome guest about his inadequacies in the bedroom, he accuses the war vet of “enticing” his old lady. With frustrations boiling over, Howard doesn’t hesitate in pulling the trigger on his double-barreled gun, blowing Jackson straight to a watery grave off screen.

#9: Pearl’s Father

“Pearl” (2022)

In Ti West’s prequel film “Pearl,” our titular psychopath can be seen continuously mistreating her paralyzed father by means of abuse and neglect. He is also subjected to the horrors of watching his murderous daughter spiral out of control. And so, it was only a matter of time before the infirm dad met his own dire fate. Completely helpless and unable to fight back, Pearl uses a pillowcase to suffocate him to death. His body is left to decompose in the family home alongside his wife/Pearl’s mother, Ruth. It’s a grisly end for pops, one that caps off Pearl’s complete removal of her parents.

#8: Lorraine Day

“X” (2022)

Upon its release, many fans assumed that Jenna Ortega's character, Lorraine, would survive the slasher carnage in “X.” They were wrong. That’s because the Hollywood “it” girl would serve as yet another victim of Pearl and Howard’s onslaught. Looking in the unhinged couple’s cellar, Lorraine realizes the direness of her situation when she discovers a dead body is down there with her. After being trapped, Lorraine luckily manages to break free with help from Maxine. Unluckily, her dash to freedom is cut short thanks to a shotgun blast from Howard. Ortega’s character’s demise marked a gasp-inducing moment, making it clear absolutely nobody was safe.

#7: Wayne Gilroy

“X” (2022)

Wayne Gilroy is the producer of the adult film being made in “X”. A good-ole-boy with a way with words, Gilroy eventually finds himself on the wrong end of some farm equipment. You see, when the film’s distraught director, RJ, goes missing, Gilroy sets out to find him. Wandering into Pearl and Howard’s barn, the producer steps on a nail. His problems only get worse when he decides to peer through some holes in the wall after noticing movement outside. It’s then that he is met with a pitchfork blow to the eyeballs. We’d like to say he didn’t see it coming, but, well, you know…

#6: The Projectionist

“Pearl” (2022)

From one pitchfork killing to another we go, as an unlucky movie theater projectionist made the mistake of upsetting Pearl in the worst way. What makes this killing especially shocking is the fact that the young man was Pearl’s love interest in the prequel film. Things turn sour for the two, however, when he becomes suspicious of our deranged protagonist and her odd behavior. When he goes to leave, Pearl stops him by way of a pitchfork attack. The disturbing kill is relentless, with multiple stabbing blows that are more unsettling than the last. The projectionist’s dead body, along with his car, is then sent into a pond where a certain alligator has its way with it. Speaking of the killer gator…

#5: Bobby-Lynne Parker

“X” (2022)

Poor Booby-Lynne, she never saw it coming. Adult film actress Bobby-Lynne Parker goes on the hunt for Pearl following Maxine’s hysteric accusations that the elderly woman touched her while she slept. She eventually finds Pearl near a pond, but it’s clear she’s upset. In an act of kindness, Bobby-Lynne attempts to comfort the old woman. However, Pearl makes it crystal clear she doesn’t want her help and proceeds to push the X-rated starlet into the water. It’s then that the pond’s resident gator emerges to get in a late-night snack. This marked an unnerving and literal bone-crunching end for the blond Southern belle.

#4: Ruth

“Pearl” (2022)

As previously noted, Pearl showed no mercy when it came to her parents. In fact, Pearl’s first “kill” is her own mother, Ruth. Although the death may not have been intentional, it remains incredibly shocking. It all goes down following a blowout argument over Pearl’s would-be acting career. When things turn physical, Pearl pushes her mother into the kitchen hearth, sending her ablaze. Ruth eventually succumbs to the severe burns. But instead of feeding her mom’s body to the hungry gator in the pond, Pearl places it in the basement – where it is left to rot until the end of the film.

#3: Mitsy

“Pearl” (2022)

Mitsy, Pearl’s sister-in-law, started out as one of the only people that Pearl trusts. Pearl even monologues her current bout of unhappiness to Mitsy. However, those positive feelings Pearl has for her husband’s sister don’t last long. After intimidating Mitsy into confessing that she got the part that they had both auditioned for, Pearl doesn’t take it very well. She promptly grabs an ax, chases Misty down, and goes in for the kill with a wild swing – makes that “swings.” It’s a shocking sight, and one that serves as a chilling confirmation that Pearl’s ambition has led her down an extremely vicious path.

#2: RJ Nichols

“X” (2022)

The adult film director and cameraman featured in “X,” RJ Nichols, finds himself spinning out of control after his girlfriend, Lorraine, takes part in an impromptu scene for the raunchy flick. Angry, RJ goes on the run in the middle of the night and attempts to strand the crew by stealing the van. However, his plan is thwarted when elderly Pearl emerges in nothing but a nightgown. Pearl attempts to seduce RJ, but he turns her down. As you might have guessed, this makes Pearl angry. So angry, that she proceeds to continuously stab the pretentious director in the neck until his head comes clean off. What can we say, when Pearl gets mad, heads will roll!

#1: Pearl

“X” (2022)

Following her extreme trail of destruction, Pearl finally gets what she deserves – her own gruesome end. When Maxine gets the upper hand, she thinks she has the old woman dead to rights. However, her attempt to shoot Pearl fails thanks to the gun being empty. When Pearl fires a shotgun at Maxine though, the resulting force knocks her off her feet and injures her. Pearl’s ensuing admonishments over her sinful existence are silenced however, as Maxine proceeds to back a truck over her noggin. Now that’s using your head!

What shocking character demise from “Pearl” and “X” left you squirming in your seat? Share the terror in the comments below.