Imaculada

Immaculate

In Immaculate, we're given a nunsploitation story. Sister Cecilia relocates to an Italian convent following the closure of the one where she was raised in America. Soon after her arrival, she becomes pregnant and this is tagged an immaculate conception seeing as she's still a virgin.

The film explores the concept of women's bodily autonomy and challenges the perception of women solely as vessels for reproduction.

This psychological religious horror is mostly good but the religious aspects could have gotten more emphasis. The social commentary on faith could have been explored better. However, it delivers a satisfying amount of scares and builds to a pulsating final act. The restraint we'd gotten in the previous acts is tossed in the final act, and here is where the movie shines best. The pacing is good even though it does take time to get to the juicy parts but with the limited runtime, it avoids being tedious. The creepy atmosphere also effectively carries the film through its initial stages.

Sydney Sweeney delivers as sister Cecilia. Remarkably, she auditioned for the role at just 17 years old before the project was shelved. Years later, as a producer, she secured financing for the film, demonstrating her dedication to the project. This dedication is palpable in the performance she gives.

In conclusion, Immaculate is a solid psychological religious horror and although it falters in some areas, particularly in its underexplored themes, the film's gripping final act and Sweeney's impassioned portrayal make it a worthy watch for horror enthusiasts.

7/10.

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.

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!

Sydney Sweeney delivers a captivating performance in "Immaculate," a visually appealing horror film with a promising start. Sweeney plays Cecilia, a young woman seeking refuge at a remote Italian convent, and her portrayal brings both vulnerability and strength to the role. It's a testament to Sweeney's growing range as an actress.

"Immaculate" boasts some striking visuals and builds a decent atmosphere of unease. Unfortunately, the film loses its way in the middle, where the initially intriguing plot becomes muddled and loses its momentum. While the film hints at compelling themes, it doesn't fully explore their potential.

Overall, "Immaculate" offers a tense beginning and showcases Sydney Sweeney's talent. However, a thin midsection and underdeveloped ideas hold it back from achieving the chilling horror experience it could have been.