Fresh off its buzzworthy premiere at SXSW, “Immaculate” follows an American nun (Sydney Sweeney), who joins a remote convent in the Italian countryside, only to discover her new home harbors horrifying secrets.
I have mixed feelings on this one, kids.
“Immaculate” doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to religious-based horror. It’s uneven and a little uninspired for a bulk of the run time, with cheap jump scares. But then you reach the final act and all hell breaks loose. It is so daring, you cannot help but be impressed by its sheer fearlessness.
“Immaculate” has a lot of strong ideas on bodily autonomy and religion. It had the potential to dig deeper, it just didn’t seem to know how. The film also features interesting characters, who have very little development. And in the end, everything gets lost in the gruesome carnage set to an Italian version of “Carol of the Bells.”
Thankfully, Sydney Sweeney carries the ENTIRE film.
Proclaimed as Sweeney’s passion project, “Immaculate” is the actress and producer’s ballsiest role yet. Hobbling around, drenched in blood, sweat and tears, Sweeney declares herself a horror icon, with the most jarring, anguished screams.
I have to admire Sweeney’s ability to challenge herself as an actress. Her portfolio in the last couple of years has been so diverse. She is not sticking to any stereotype and I commend her fearless ferocity to bring stories to life.
She rocks. Pun intended. If you know; you know.
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