Movie Review: Immaculate (2024)

Genre: Horror  

Director: Michael Mohan  

Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Alvaro Morte  

Running Time: 89 minutes  

Synopsis: In a prologue, a nun attempts to escape a convent in Italy, but is thwarted. In the main story, Sister Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney) relocates from Detroit to Italy and joins a convent managed by Father Tedeschi (Alvaro Morte), where dying elderly nuns are cared for in their final days. Although some of the other nuns are unwelcoming, Cecilia befriends Sister Gwen and integrates within the strict environment. After experiencing disturbing dreams and some frightening nighttime experiences, Cecilia feels sick, and receives shocking news.

What Works Well: The forgotten-by-time setting of an isolated and candlelit convent (built on catacombs) creates an effective setting for a story of domination, experimentation, and evil hiding behind charity. The strong undercurrent of men using religion to control women's bodies features impactful jump scares, and Sydney Sweeney rides a range of emotions from the excitement of a newcomer to outright survival horror, her performance building to a phenomenal climax. 

What Does Not Work As Well: Plenty of time is consumed by Cecilia wandering the hallways in the dark, responding to things that go bump in the night. Other characters deserved more time to explain their motivations, methods, or predicaments.

Key Quote:

Sister Cecilia: Wait, so you don't even believe in God?

Sister Gwen: Of course I do. Life is so cruel. Only a man can be responsible.

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