Sydney Sweeney goes bad in the Habit
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL MOHAN/2024
Sydney Sweeney takes on the role of Sister Cecilia in Immaculate, a chilling tale where the sanctity of a convent is shattered by darkness lurking in its halls.
Entering the theatre with modest expectations, I was hoping for a fun horror experience, and for the most part, that’s what I got. The film’s cold open with Simona Tabasco’s frantic and anxiety-inducing attempt at escape set an ominous tone that gripped me from the start.
In comes Sister Cecilia, played by Sydney Sweeney, who is introduced as a young nun preparing to take her vows, guided by a sense of divine purpose stemming from her past. While Sweeney’s performance is decent, I found myself yearning for a bit more depth in her portrayal in the understated moments of this film. I found myself thinking particularly of Aisling Franciosi and how fantastic she is in the subtleties of a character. I think she would have been an excellent casting choice for a film like this.
Nevertheless, as the plot unfolds, it becomes evident that there’s something sinister lurking beneath the surface of the convent. Unusual occurrences and cryptic rituals hint at a darker truth, culminating in Sister Cecilia’s unexpected pregnancy, which propels the story forward with rapid intensity. There is something to be said about the plot jumping. Advancing the narrative in this film did seem a bit jerking, but I can understand why the filmmakers didn’t feel the need to extend 9-months of pregnancy on-screen. It makes sense to ‘get to the good stuff’, so to speak.
Without delving into spoilers, it’s safe to say that Immaculate delivers on the promise of gore and shocking twists, leading to a gripping final act set in the labyrinthine catacombs beneath the convent. Sweeney’s raw portrayal of Sister Cecilia’s anguish elevates the film, particularly in the climactic single-shot ending that leaves a lasting impression.
Sweeney stated in an interview, “Originally the script was vastly different. Once I got my hands on it and we hired Michael, we drastically revised it so that it could fit who I am today and the world today. But the through line of the story always has stayed the same. And I think one of the reasons I loved it so much was that some of the scariest and most raw, guttural moments in this movie are in real life.”
While the pacing may feel abrupt at times, and some may agree with me on the particular casting of Sydney Sweeney, the passion behind the project is undeniable. Sweeney’s dedication to revitalizing the script shines through, breathing life into this original horror story.
As the credits rolled, my theatre was a range of emotions – anger, disgust, and shock among them. It’s in those moments, when you catch whispers of fellow audience members dissecting the film, that the significance of horror truly hits home. Original works like Immaculate, Late Night with the Devil, and Stopmotion get me excited for what’s to come in the genre. Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
