Not every intervention is divine.
Not every intervention is divine.
A blend of Rosemary’s Baby and The Nun, director Michael Mohan’s thought-provoking religious horror film Immaculate blesses audiences with dark atmosphere, undeniable suspense and a standout performance by the dazzling Sydney Sweeney. While the film has a lot of redeeming qualities, it loses momentum towards the middle and at times plays it safe. Still, moviegoers will be lured in for twists and turns that increase in intensity as the film progresses.
After a near-death experience as a child, Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney) chooses a spiritual path and devotes herself to becoming a nun. She moves to the Italian countryside to work at a convent but soon realizes she’s the only unfluent nun amongst her peers. Shortly after her arrival, as she’s making an effort to fit in, Cecilia unexpectedly discovers that she’s become pregnant despite never having sex. As she moves through the trimesters, the convent begins to worship her and it becomes apparent that she’s in a sinister situation.
(Fun fact: Sydney Sweeney actually auditioned for this project back in 2014 but it was shelved before moving into production. Having a strong interest in the screenplay, she acquired the rights and became the film’s producer ten years later. With previous collaborator Michael Mohan (The Voyeurs), the two worked together to bring life to this unique body horror film.)
Immaculate is by no means perfect, but there’s a lot to admire about its slow-burn qualities. Mohan gradually builds the pace, creating an atmosphere that feels claustrophobic. Some plot points needed better execution and the jump scares don’t always pan out, but the film impresses with its gore sequences. At a tight 89 minutes, Immaculate manages to enthrall audiences and doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Playing the lead role in addition to producing, Sydney Sweeney proves she can fit into this genre effortlessly. There’s an innocence about her at first which makes it thrilling to witness as a more rebellious side emerges in the third act. She truly is the highlight of this experience, using her emotive expressions to depict a transition from charming to traumatized. The most captivating moments are when she outsmarts the cult-like community and delivers one of the most horrific birthing scenes in horror movie history.
Set and filmed in Rome, Italy, the cinematography is executed wonderfully in Immaculate, achieving a foreboding environment between the beautiful landscapes. The production design and a score by Will Bates help drive home the eerie, uncomfortable atmosphere that the film sets out to achieve. Immaculate earns its R-rating with brutal kills and jaw-dropping gore elements. The ending may feel rushed but it still tackles important subject matter and makes an impact.
While the script could have had a clearer focus on some of its themes, Immaculate provides a chilling ambiance and an alluring performance that showcases the talent of Sydney Sweeney. A risk-taking third act pushes the boundaries and makes up for when things start to lag in the middle. All in all, it’s a win for horror fans that this film finally came to fruition.
