‘Immaculate’ Review: Sydney Sweeney vs. Toxicity of Religion in the Twisted, Bloodcurdling Horror with an Out-Of-This-World Third Act

During Immaculate, the Cardinal (Giorgio Colangeli), remarks to Sister Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney), the lead character in Michael Mohan’s NEON horror: “If it isn’t God’s will, why does he not stop us?” This single line encapsulates everything negative and toxic about abuse of authority in Catholic circles. Along with Andrew Lobel, a writer of the film, the creators weaponize this issue in Immaculate, adding horror elements, and resulting in a thought-provoking, incredibly horrific picture of a fight for bodily autonomy and against exploitation.

Please note that the following Immaculate review may have some slight spoilers for the movie.

Immaculate Review

Cecilia, a woman of faith, departs the United States for the picturesque Italian countryside, where she’s offered a new position at one of Italy’s finest convents. As Cecilia takes her vows, she quickly discovers that her new house is filled with dark and deadly mysteries. Everything goes from good to bad when Cecilia discovers she’s pregnant, and everyone rejoices, thinking it’s an immaculate conception. Cecilia investigates the situation and its possible connection to the convent’s priest, Father Sal Tedeschi (Álvaro Morte).

Immaculate is certainly a slow burn. As Sweeney’s Cecilia lands in Italy, the mood is one of suspense and mystery. Sister Gwen (Benedetta Porcaroli), the woman’s lively and opinionated companion, is the only “normal” and uplifting figure in her life. Despite the fact that the first and second acts are slower, Cecilia’s pregnancy still astounds us, and we, like the lead character, want to know what’s going on with her and inside the convent. Until the third act, the creators tease the audience, keeping us guessing whether what’s happening is actually of higher forces or something more evil. Or possibly something totally different, as we watch Cecilia troubled by horrific visions, such as one in which she attempts to have her weekly confession.

Whether you think the film is great or perhaps far too shocking, one thing is certain: Immaculate will be one of the best horrors of the year. The film is not only frightening, but also thought-provoking, and it showcases Sweeney’s genre flair.

Mohan’s horror contains a decent amount of jump scares, but they’re not as engaging as the happenings around the main character. Sweeney’s performance as Sister Cecilia is quite extraordinary. As the film moves into the blatantly barbarous, brutal, and amazing third act, the actress known for The Handmaid’s Tale and Madame Web delivers one of the best horror performances of the year. In some ways, her Sister Cecilia resembles the innocent Eden from the aforementioned Hulu Original series, as both characters are exploited by people around them in the name of religion. Thus, Immaculate engages in a similar conversation about bodily autonomy, the abuse of religion, the exploitation of women in Catholicism, and much more. Additionally, it’s lovely to see Simona Tabasco from The White Lotus. Despite her brief appearance in the film, the actress surely contributes to the overall picture.

Along with the amazing lead, the creators ensure that the set and costume design create a similar, eerie ambiance. Immaculate extensively uses black, grey, white, and red to create a menacing, immersive atmosphere. The well-crafted elements culminate in one of the most unforgettable finales in the horror genre, leaving the viewer in shock. 

Whether you think the film is great or perhaps far too shocking, one thing is certain: Immaculate will be one of the best horrors of the year. The film is not only frightening, but also thought-provoking, and it showcases Sweeney’s genre flair. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat and frequently makes you cover your face in dread. In short, Immaculate is a must-see for horror enthusiasts and anyone hoping for a shocking experience. Addressing the aforementioned, important topics, the film will stay with you for quite some time.

Grade: A