Immaculate” is a scary movie that mixes religious horror with psychological suspense. Sydney Sweeney is excellent as Sister Cecilia, uncovering dark secrets in a convent. Director Michael Mohan tells the story in a way that keeps you interested, with a surprising and thought-provoking ending. This movie stands out in 2024’s scary movies and will leave a strong impression on you.
“Immaculate” is a 2024 American psychological horror film directed by Michael Mohan and written by Andrew Lobel. The movie stars Sydney Sweeney, who also produced it, alongside Álvaro Morte, Benedetta Porcaroli, Dora Romano, Giorgio Colangeli, and Simona Tabasco. The story centers on a young novice who is invited to a beautiful Italian convent, only to discover the horrifying secrets it hides.
Immaculate Film Plot Summary
The film begins with Sister Mary sneaking into a superior’s room at night to steal a key ring and escape the locked gates of a Roman Catholic convent. She is caught, her leg is broken, and she is knocked out by four hooded figures. Later, she wakes up in a coffin and is buried alive.
The protagonist, Sister Cecilia, is a young novice who turned to Christianity after a near-death experience where she was saved from drowning in a frozen lake. She receives an invitation from Father Sal Tedeschi to join a convent in Italy that cares for dying nuns. Cecilia takes her final vows and becomes a nun, adorned with a rosary.
Cecilia befriends Sister Gwen and notices strange things, like an older nun with cross-shaped scars on her feet. The convent claims to have a Holy Nail relic from the cross of Jesus. Cecilia starts having nightmares of hooded figures in her room and is shocked to find herself pregnant, despite being a virgin. The other nuns start to believe she is the next Virgin Mary.
Another nun, Sister Isabelle, tries to drown Cecilia out of jealousy, resulting in Cecilia vomiting her own tooth. Her health declines, and Father Tedeschi refuses to take her to a hospital. Isabelle falls from the roof and dies, prompting Gwen to publicly chastise the convent’s superiors but is subsequently taken away.
Cecilia finds a hidden warning in her room, inscribed with 2 Corinthians 11:14, and realizes something is very wrong. She discovers information about her childhood accident and sees a hooded figure cutting out Gwen’s tongue. An elder nun silences her and tells her she can never leave the convent.
Cecilia tries to fake a miscarriage but is caught. Tedeschi reveals that he used DNA from the Holy Nail to impregnate nuns, hoping to create a new messiah. He brands Cecilia’s foot with a cross, a symbol found on other nuns.
In her final escape attempt, Cecilia kills Mother Superior with a crucifix, and her water breaks. She kills the cardinal with her rosary and sets Tedeschi’s lab on fire. Tedeschi chases her into the catacombs, where she finds Gwen’s body and a hole in the wall. In a struggle, Cecilia kills Tedeschi with the Holy Nail. She gives birth alone and is horrified by the sight of the baby, which makes animalistic noises, and she crushes it with a rock.
Immaculate Casting Film
- Sydney Sweeney as Sister Cecilia
- Álvaro Morte as Father Sal Tedeschi
- Dora Romano as Mother Superior
- Benedetta Porcaroli as Sister Gwen
- Giorgio Colangeli as Cardinal Franco Merola
- Simona Tabasco as Sister Mary
- Giulia Heathfield Di Renzi as Sister Isabelle
- Giampiero Judica as Doctor Gallo
- Giuseppe Lo Piccolo as Deacon Enzo
Immaculate film Production
The development of “Immaculate” began as early as 2014 when Sydney Sweeney first auditioned for the film. After her success in the TV series “Euphoria,” Sweeney acquired the screenplay rights and approached Michael Mohan to direct. The script was adapted from a story about high school girls to one about nuns to better suit the film’s theme and Sweeney’s vision.
In October 2022, Sweeney officially joined the cast as a producer, and in February 2023, Álvaro Morte, Benedetta Porcaroli, Dora Romano, Giorgio Colangeli, and Simona Tabasco joined the cast. Principal photography took place in Rome, including Villa Parisi and the Doria Pamphilj Gallery, with catacomb scenes shot in the real catacombs of Rome.
Immaculate film Release
Neon acquired US distribution rights in December 2023. “Immaculate” premiered at South by Southwest on March 12, 2024, and was released in US theaters on March 22, 2024. It also screened at the Fargo Film Festival on the same day.
Immaculate Film Performance
As of April 29, 2024, “Immaculate” grossed $15.6 million in the US and Canada and $10 million internationally, totaling $25.8 million worldwide. The film opened alongside “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” and “Late Night with the Devil,” earning $5.3 million in its opening weekend and marking the best opening for Neon. It dropped to $3.3 million in its second weekend.
Immaculate Film Critical Reception
Sydney Sweeney’s performance received high praise from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 72% of 183 reviews were positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10. Metacritic assigned the film a score of 57 out of 100, indicating mixed reviews. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it a “C” grade, while PostTrak reported a 52% overall positive score.
Tim Robey of The Telegraph gave the film three stars out of five, noting that it takes time to deliver on its promise. Manohla Dargis of The New York Times called it a Critic’s Pick, describing it as a scare-fest with a bold heroine and a twist that provokes discussion.
Immaculate Horror Film Final Thoughts
“Immaculate” is a gripping psychological horror film that combines elements of religious horror with a chilling narrative and strong performances, particularly from Sydney Sweeney. Its unique storyline and well-executed production make it a standout in the horror genre for 2024.
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