‘Immaculate’ Review

Stars: Sydney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte, Simona Tabasco, Benedetta Porcaroli, Giorgio Colangeli, Dora Romano, Giulia Heathfield Di Renzi, Giampiero Judica | Written by Andrew Lobel | Directed by Michael Mohan

After working together on the one-season Netflix series Everything Sucks! and Prime Video erotic-thriller The Voyeurs, Immaculate sees the reunion of director Michael Mohan and producer/star Sydney Sweeney for a project that is being released into cinemas. Arriving at a remote Italian convent, the devout Sister Cecilia (Sweeney) intends to fulfil a new role tending to dying nuns. As the virginal sister discovers that she is pregnant, it becomes clear that dark secrets are being kept at this gorgeous countryside location.

It is well documented that, after auditioning for this role in 2014, Sweeney used her star power to revive this project and keep the throughline which initially attracted her, even while revising the script. Thank goodness that the Anyone But You star brought this project back to life, as it is an effective piece of religious horror that evokes classics such as Rosemary’s Baby.

In the lead role, Sweeney commands the screen as the young woman devoted to serving God. Surviving a childhood accident affirmed Cecilia’s belief that God has a purpose for her, and the character is intent on fulfilling that regardless of the form it may take. As she arrives with a naivety and innocence, that hope for the best is dampened as further nightmares are revealed, transforming into fierce determination so magnificently.

As Mohan adapts Andrew Lobel’s screenplay, an interesting combination forms between the dread-inducing atmosphere, and the religious politics based on misguided ideas of faith. While the horror excels when building tension or delivering gruesome visuals, things are let down by scares which feel inspired by a lesser work in The Conjuring universe. When so many interesting avenues are taken throughout the runtime, it is a shame whenever the film instead takes a familiar route. While it may not live up to its name, Immaculate is an effective genre entry which grabs viewers’ attention and does not let go, from the intriguing opening to one of the most ballsy endings a mainstream horror film will deliver this year.

**** 4/5

Immaculate is in cinemas now.