Inmaculada

Sydney Sweeney sheds her good-girl persona in Immaculate, a horror film that throws a devout young nun, Cecilia, headfirst into the nightmarish underbelly of a secluded Italian convent. While the premise is deliciously creepy, the execution lands somewhere between a campy throwback and a missed opportunity for deeper thematic exploration.

There's no denying the film's fun factor. The first act lures you in with idyllic Italian countryside visuals and a warm welcome for Cecilia. But the cracks soon begin to show, and the movie gleefully dives into increasingly bizarre and bloody territory. Think The Wicker Man meets Suspiria with a dash of Sweeney's signature intensity. The special effects, while not top-of-the-line, lean into a practical, grotesque quality that complements the film's grindhouse vibe.

Sweeney is the undeniable star here. She beautifully portrays Cecilia's transformation from wide-eyed innocent to a woman fighting for survival, both physically and emotionally. There's a vulnerability in her performance that makes you root for her, even as she descends into badassery. The supporting cast, however, feels a bit one-note. Their portrayals of the enigmatic nuns are more stereotypical than chilling.

The historical and cultural context of Catholicism is undeniably present, with religious iconography and rituals fueling the film's atmosphere. However, Immaculate doesn't quite commit to a deeper social commentary on faith or female subjugation. It throws out intriguing themes but doesn't fully explore them, leaving me wanting more.

The score is a haunting blend of choral music and discordant strings, perfectly capturing the unsettling duality of the convent. The editing is sharp, keeping the pace brisk and the scares coming. There's a sense of stylish chaos to the film, particularly in the later acts, that's undeniably entertaining.

Immaculate isn't immaculate. The script could have benefited from tighter plotting and a clearer thematic focus. But for fans of campy horror with a strong leading performance, it delivers a wild ride. So, if you're looking for something to shock you and maybe make you laugh a little (nervously), then step into the convent with Cecilia. Just don't expect a profound spiritual experience.

If it wasn't for Sydney, no one would have seen this movie. I honestly don't understand what the higher reviews were watching...

This movie lacked both depth and any sort of character development. The movie would've been better if captions were provided, yet we had to rely on translations from another character.

On numerous occasions, what appeared to be a major development of the movie was either not explained or followed up. Just left there and the director moved on.

I was very disappointed by the movie and felt that they could have done a much better job of developing a storyline. Instead they phoned this one in...

Don't go see it in theatre, wait until it's out to steam if you want to see it. It's certainly not worth the price of admission.

The echoes of Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" are undeniable, from the secluded convent setting to the paranoia and isolation Cecilia experiences. But "Immaculate" carves out its own space in the genre with a surprising amount of bite.

"Immaculate," starring Sydney Sweeney as a young nun named Cecilia, delivers a captivating performance as a woman of quiet strength thrust into a horrifying situation. Where Mia Farrow's Rosemary Woodhouse in "Rosemary's Baby" was a naive outsider, Cecilia possesses a steely resolve. This subtle difference fuels the film's suspense. We see the cracks in Cecilia's faith as she grapples with the inexplicable, but she never loses her agency.

The film tackles themes of female subjugation and bodily autonomy within a religious framework. Cecilia's struggle for control over her own body becomes a potent allegory, particularly in today's social climate. It's a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, leaving you questioning faith, free will, and the immaculate deception that can lurk behind holy walls.

Unfortunately, I'm not usually the type to see modern horror films right when they're released, often waiting a few years. This can feel like I'm really missing out as I hear about all the hype on social media and risk being influenced by critic reviews and spoilers.

This was the case with Immaculate, a film I would have eagerly seen in theaters early this year (2024), especially given its more than positive reviews.

The film attempts to blend science and religion, which is an intriguing concept, but it doesn't fully explore this idea with greater depth. To put it bluntly, Immaculate seems to fall short on several fronts. It adheres closely to tropes established by classics like Rosemary's Baby, preventing it from feeling fresh or original. And while it pays homage to religious horror it doesn't offer anything necessarily different or new to the genre.

While the convent setting has potential, and the Italian countryside feels tranquil, however, the rest of the film ultimately falls stagnant. It does benefit from a decent budget, featuring some nice special effects and solid camerawork, but it's the scope of the story where it truly lacks.

This was my first experience watching Sydney Sweeney, who was likable but not particularly awe-inspiring. Her appearance more than overshadows her performance, focusing on her distinct feminine figure which might have kept my interest more than the plot.

There's a hint of mystery, and some intrigue from the religious foundations helps hold the core of the narrative together. By the ending however, the film fails to leave a lasting impression, with no standout scenes or striking performances.

A month later, after watching the extras, I found I had forgotten most of the story except for a brief, thirty-second ending, which underscores my disappointment of not bringing anything memorable to the table.

The idea itself was promising, and the execution wasn't entirely terrible. Sydney Sweeney was or perhaps is "the" highlight, but the film's depth, lore, and psychological elements do feel inevitably short, leaving it unable to leave a lasting mark.

5/10.

6.7/10 (Recommend)

I went into this one completely unaware of what the film was about. My brother-in-law briefly filled me in, but with having no visual expectations I was as virgin to this film has Mary, Mother of Jesus.

The main reason for checking it out is because Sydney Sweeney has been posting TikTok videos from people who have gone and seen the film and have come out "traumatized". There's certain aspects where I can understand why some are coming out of being "mind blown", but I also feel a lot of them aren't into horror films and are seeing just cause she's in it.

Truthfully, I enjoyed the film a lot more than I expected. About 80/85% of the film was good, but the last 15/20% is where it falters and loses all its build-up. Those last twenty minutes were laughable at best and disappointing. The story works, but is definitely fiction in context. Once everything unravels I began to really feel the ninety minutes that this film is.

What makes this movie work at times is the whole nun aspect. Horror nuns are creepy and unsettling for me. The jump scares work half the time. If I was feeling better than I am then the scares wouldn't have got me as much as they did, but recognizing that I can say they aren't anything special especially if you watch horror films often.

This is my first film with Sydney Sweeney and she wasn't bad. She brings good innocence to her character and a boldness, while not unexpected, is wrecked by the execution of the end. I am now curious on some of her previous roles to gauge what kind of actress she has. There's range going from romcom to horror, but doesn't mean you're good.

Overall, a more enjoyable film than I expected, but not out of this world horrific. It shows more graphic scenes than I expected, but I'm not complaining. The ending ruins the rest of the films build-up especially with the lack of graphic visuals. If it's a movie of interest to you then wait for a cheap night or its release to a streaming service.

That's all for now. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. Until next time.... Enjoy the show!