HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2025 REVIEW! In just 20 minutes and 30 seconds, writer-director-actor Ali Cook combines fantasy, drama, mystery, and horror. The Pearl Comb begins with Betty (Beatie Edney) recounting how her late husband, Lutey (Simon Armstrong), saved a mermaid (Clara Paget) and was gifted a pearl comb as a thank you. The comb possesses the ability to magically heal any person’s illness or injuries, as well as those of animals. Bettty’s audience, nephew Gregory (Cook), is sceptical of the tale, in large part due to his medical degree. But then Betty shows him the comb and goes into greater detail about its amazing abilities… and the cost of using them.
Edney is even-tempered, which makes Betty kind of creepy. Armstrong is likable and pitiable as the alcoholic who saved the mystical creature. Cook makes Gregory’s dismissive attitude make complete sense, while Paget is alluring and strange as the mermaid. The core group nails the atmosphere, which is no easy task, given the numerous genres being paraded about.
The magical pearl comb lies beside a rabbit in Ali Cook’s The Pearl Comb.
“…Lutey saved a mermaid and was gifted a pearl comb…”
Cook shows mastery of tone throughout, as no scene, even the few comedic beats, overwrites the mood at all. The visuals look incredible, especially the art and set design, which truly transports all watching to this fantastical place in the past. The script also successfully maneuvers all the genres. When the mermaid is yelling “mine” over and over (not literally), a sense of menace begins to bubble over.
The Pearl Comb is original, absorbing, and altogether great. From the cinematography to the production design, from the cast to the script, there’s not a flaw to be found. If all of Cook’s films are this good, he’s going to have a very long and fruitful career in the filmmaking industry.
The Pearl Comb screened at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival.
"…not a flaw to be found."
