Immaculate (2024)

Rating: 4/5

Plot Summary

Let's dive into "Immaculate" (2024), a psychological horror flick that's been turning heads since it's release. Directed by Michael Mohan and starring Sydney Sweeney as Sister Cecilia, this movie veers away from the usual supernatural scares, focusing instead on the sinister human elements lurking in a convent. Think "The Witch" meets "Black Swan," but with nuns. Sister Cecilia uncovers dark secrets within her convent, transforming from a devout nun to someone fighting for her life. The film is packed with twists and psychological terror, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Chopping Block - Hits & Misses

Hits

• Sydney Sweeney final performance is fierce and breathtaking as Sister Cecilia. (Her final scene gave my literal full body goosebumps!)

• Focuses on human evil over supernatural scares and does a good job at portraying that sometimes "less" is "more."

• Beautiful landscapes and eerie interiors enhance the unsettling vibe.

Misses

• Some of the supporting characters could have had more screen time to enrich the narrative.

• A few pacing issues with some overly slow moments that might test your patience.

• I personally prefer movies that don't rely on jump scares, but if you’re a fan of them, you might find it lacking.

Full Review

• Scare Factor — Points: 1 "Immaculate" nails the psychological scares, creating a sense of dread without relying on cheap jump scares. The tension builds naturally, and the horror feels grounded in reality, making it all the more unsettling.

• Storyline and Plot — Points: 1 The plot is engaging and full of twists that keep you hooked. It’s refreshing to see a horror movie that avoids clichés and instead dives into the psychological turmoil and sinister secrets within the convent. I was expecting this to be a full knock-off of "Rosemary's Baby," but I really enjoyed the different route it took.

• Atmosphere and Setting — Points: 1 The cinematography by Elisha Christian is stunning. The contrast between the beautiful landscapes and the eerie interiors of the convent adds to the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Combined with an effective soundtrack, the visual style is a major highlight.

• Special Effects and Makeup — Points: .5 While the film doesn't heavily rely on special effects, the makeup and practical effects used are effective and add to the film's realism. However, there are moments where more could have been done to enhance the horror elements visually.

• Acting and Performances — Points: .5 I'm torn on this one. I didn't enjoy Sydney Sweeney's performance at the beginning of the movie; she felt a bit stale. However, as the movie progressed (especially with the final scene), she ended up delivering a performance that is both fierce and nuanced. The supporting cast, including Álvaro Morte and Dora Romano, also deliver strong performances, though some could have benefited from more screen time to develop their characters further.

Final Verdict

"Immaculate" is a breath of fresh air in the horror genre, focusing on psychological depth and human evil rather than supernatural gimmicks. Sydney Sweeney’s powerful performance towards the end of the film, combined with the film’s haunting atmosphere and engaging plot, makes it a standout this year.

Rating: 4/5

What did you think of "Immaculate"?

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