The Wasteland Reviewer

Immaculate (2024) Written Review

Why are religious horror films so scary? They dig deep into some of the fundamental beliefs and traditions that you were raised with. Watching a film focusing on Roman Catholic traditions and lore is freaky for someone who grew up in the church as they draw upon so many of your most basic fears. Let’s be honest…how much scarier can you get than the Devil? Being able to leverage such deeply rooted and well-known beliefs makes a strong connection. It also leaves you open for even more fears on screen.

But is the latest in this long line of religious horror films, Immaculate, here to bring the scares? This new film from director Michael Mohan (of The Voyeurs fame) certainly draws upon many motifs and themes of other films in this horror subgenre. You have a creepy and old convent. You have the catacombs below that will certainly come into play (and honestly delivers some of the most tense and engaging sections of the film). There are staunchly traditional older members of the church who are quite suspicious. This just feels like a feeding ground for evil that has a taste for young and unsuspecting women who are new to the nunnery. Even though there are some familiar beats, including the big concept of having an unknown child in a young nun (Sydney Sweeney), Mohan and his crew find some disturbing elements that are certainly ready to get under your skin. There is a tongue-related moment that is particularly shocking, and the final moments of the film do not disappoint. 

Does the film offer something interesting from the visual standpoint? Mohan and his crew know how to make the most of this secluded old monastery covered in ivy. Cinematographer Elisha Christian takes advantage of the dark and foreboding locale with lingering camera movements in both the daylight and nighttime that deliver strong scares. The music from composer Will Bates comes in to punctuate some solid jump scares but most of the time it is the silence and long takes that build the tension and suspense (looking at your catacombs). There are some evocative visuals as well when it comes to some bloody body horror that fits well in the mix of jumpscares and foreboding menace. Let’s just say this is a crew of religious fanatics who do not shy away from bodily punishment for insubordination. 

Does the story from Andrew Lobel stand up with the craftsmanship and horrific visuals? There are quite a few familiar beats in the story that you have seen in other religious horror films of this sort. There might even be a few moments that feel ripped right from some famous films like The Omen. The film focuses a lot on a fish-out-of-water story of this young nun (Sweeney) new to Italian culture in the church. There is obviously a large mystery as well…how did she get pregnant? This might be where the film falters a bit because so much of the build-up and set-up is so well done then you get the reveal which will probably leave something to be desired. Where the film goes from that standpoint is not quite inspired but at least the tension and scares do not die down as the film reaches the climax (and to be honest, it really kicks some of those elements up a notch in the third act). 

But who is the true star of Immaculate? Sweeney. She has been attached to this project for years and finally took over a producer role which allowed her more autonomy in how the film was going to get done. There is a lot of potential in the concept so you cannot blame her for being so passionate about it. The themes are also rich with how body autonomy is explored in a current landscape which makes it more interesting of a watch. But it is Sweeney’s performance that sells the film. She does not have a ton of dialogue but says it all with her facial expressions and body movements. Odd to say but her pregnant acting works well and her explosions of emotion really sell the weight of the film. Throw in some other young talented women like Simona Tabasco and Benedetta Porcaroli and you have quite the engaging cast.

Does Immaculate have a shot of being the next great religious horror classic? Mohan’s film does not quite live up to its potential in that way and you won’t hear this film in the same conversations with The Exorcist. But there is plenty of praise for Sweeney and the atmosphere thrown around. There are chilling and impactful moments sprinkled throughout and there is plenty of mystery to sink your teeth into. This one might not be the scariest film around, but it still is not for the faint of heart.