A pro-choice religious horror flick starring one of Hollywood’s most in demand up-and-coming young actresses strays far from genre norms. I never would have expected the quality of Immaculate given the lackluster trailers and marketing materials. Sydney Sweeney and director Michael Mohan reteam once more after 2021’s underrated erotic thriller, The Voyeurs, for an envelope-pushing, unnervingly intense horror/thriller. Fresh off her viral rom-com sensation Anyone But You, Sweeney immerses herself in an unapologetically fierce portrayal of a scorned woman. “Immaculate” not only describes the namesake immaculate conception, but also the overall quality of this classically filmed spooky throwback.
After an opening featuring a nun trying to escape the imposing premises of a convent located deep in the Italian countryside, Sweeney’s Cecilia arrives at the same destination to begin her tenure. Founded in 1632 and built atop the catacombs of Saint Steven, the convent acts as a place where elders can live out their final days. Death looms around every corner, a part of everyday life here. As Cecilia will quickly learn, the difference between natural death and horrific murder is vast. This convent hides secrets enough to make even the most cautious believer turn their heads. Cecilia grows suspicious of those around her, none more so than Father Sal Tedeschi (Alvaro Morte), a shady, too-friendly character who becomes a little too invested in Cecilia’s sudden miraculous pregnancy. The awful Sister Isabelle (Giulia Heathfield Di Renzi) seems jealous at the attention Cecilia receives so quickly, with minimal effort.
Eerie red lighting and freaky, nightmarish visuals plague Cecilia during her stay at this hellish place. When the violence eventually arrives in full force, the gritty carnage never lets up. In the hands of Mohan and cinematographer Elisha Christian, Immaculate‘s visual language sets the film apart from other entries in the religious horror oeuvre. On the new Blu-ray disc, the crispness and contrast, especially in the darker scenes, show an impressive attention to detail. So many films in the modern age simply look dark, foregoing the art of scene lighting. Luckily, Mohan understands the importance of actually being able to see the horrors as they unfold rather than trying to make them out in a frustrated squint. Look no further than the standout finale, tightly depicted in the catacombs. Every bit of light we see is vital to the occurring action and character arc.
Vibrant bursts of gory female empowerment are what help Immaculate emerge as an original work and a definite must-see. Ominous, atmospheric horror seems to be going back in fashion—fresh ideas and Sweeney’s unforgettable performance catapult it above the mostly-generic The First Omen. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray disc’s sole special feature is an audio commentary from Mohan. While the director offers a variety of insightful words—in particular, he seems rather enamored with Sweeney and her star power—one wishes we could see some things left on the cutting room floor, and a peak behind the curtain to further explore the gothic architecture.
Pray for forgiveness alongside Immaculate, now available on Blu-ray.
