Movies
Thank You Sydney Sweeney For Doing Movies Like “Immaculate”
There is something in the air about birthing evil incarnate. That has to say something about society.
“Cecilia, a woman of devout faith, is warmly welcomed to the picture-perfect Italian countryside where she is offered a new role at an illustrious convent. But it becomes clear to Cecilia that her new home harbors dark and horrifying secrets.”
Director: Michael Mohan
Writers: Andrew Lobel
Cast: Sydney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte, Simona Tobasco, Benedetta Porcaroli, Giorgio Colangeli, Dora Romano
Release Date: March 22, 2024
IMDB
Something about the year 2024 is bringing about crazy religious-based horror stories. Just two weeks after Immaculate (2024) was released, 20th Century Studios brought forward The First Omen (2024), a prequel to the 1976 horror classic, The Omen. Then there is the Rosemary’s Baby (1968) prequel series Apartment 7A premiering on Paramount+ in the fall.
There is something in the air about birthing evil incarnate. That has to say something about society.
We have to give credit to Sydney Sweeney for being willing to be a part of a small horror movie project like this. Sweeney has Hollywood by the horns right now. She has the golden ticket where people will be at least interested if she is in something. Immaculate is a deep dive into a pure genre piece that relies solely on her giving a performance underneath a microscope.
This project seems to be a bit of a full-circle moment. The American actress auditioned for this movie in 2017, but it never came to be. Immaculate turned into a bit of a flex because she wanted to get it made, so she reached out to writer Andrew Lobel. They reworked the script, and BAM, we have a new horror movie on the docket.
In an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Sweeney noted how she took it to a financier, and she personally chose the director. Michael Mohan previously directed Sydney Sweeney in The Voyeurs (2021) and the TV show Everything Sucks! (2018). I have not seen either of those media, but comfortability matters to a hire.
When it comes to the movie itself, Immaculate is not going to win any awards. But then again, it isn’t trying. The plot is simple: Sister Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney) is an American newcomer to an Italian covenant looking for a fresh start. Out of nowhere, she becomes pregnant, even though she has not broken any of the vows of her position. While working through her miracle pregnancy, Cecilia learns that the covenant she calls home is not as homey as it appears, and those in charge have more sinister intentions then they are letting on.
The movie progresses with some high points and many confusing points. Immaculate is not going to grab anyone with pop-out jump scares. It is a moody type of horror, but with a twinge more body horror than expected. Perhaps this is just a Stanko problem, but the last act of Immaculate has cringe moments with body abuse that change the tenor of the horror. It works to an extent, especially for those who are a tad bit squeamish.
Then there is the movie’s ending. The final sequence and shots are haunting. It is hard to pull off in a horror picture, but what director Michael Mohan frames with Sydney Sweeney has stayed in my head for months after watching the movie. It plays on the body horror tendencies weaved throughout, but the final action leaves you very off-kilter. Perturbed, if you will.
Immaculate is worth a one-time watch on Hulu if you are in the mood for a creepy watch.
STANKO RATING: C+
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