„Immaculate“ begins with the dark and oppressive atmosphere of a Catholic monastery in Italy. The young nun Cecilia joins the order after she becomes convinced that God has chosen her for a special task after a near-death experience. But life in the monastery turns out to be anything but peaceful. Strange rituals, mysterious incidents and a dark secret lurking behind the sacred walls cause unrest. Sister Gwen becomes her closest ally, while the Abbess and Father Tedeschi appear increasingly threatening.
Immaculate
- Amazon Prime Video (Video-on-Demand)
- Sydney Sweeney, Simona Tabasco, Álvaro Morte (Schauspieler)
- Michael Mohan (director) – Andrew Lobel (writer) – David Bernad (producer)
- Target group rating: Approved for ages 18 and over
When Cecilia suddenly finds out that she is pregnant, even though she has never been intimate, her world is rocked. The monastery staff celebrates the pregnancy as a divine sign, but Cecilia begins to have doubts. Over time, cruel truths about the intentions of the monastery and its residents are revealed. More and more dark secrets come to light as Cecilia fights for her survival. But will she find a way out of this scary and disturbing situation?
Cast/actors, direction and filming locations
The horror film “Immaculate“ from 2024 was directed by Michael Mohan and is based on a screenplay by Andrew Lobel. Sydney Sweeney plays the main role of Cecilia, accompanied by Álvaro Morte as Father Sal Tedeschi and Benedetta Porcaroli as Sister Gwen. Other roles include Dora Romano as Mother Superior, Giorgio Colangeli as Cardinal Franco Merola and Simona Tabasco as Sister Mary. The film was shot in Rome, among other places, including well-known locations such as the Villa Parisi and the Doria Pamphilj Gallery. Filming ended in February 2023.
“Immaculate” celebrated its premiere on March 12, 2024 at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) and was released in cinemas in Germany on April 4, 2024. The film length is 89 minutes and it is rated for ages 18 and up. In the United States and Canada, the film grossed $15.7 million, while in other regions it grossed an additional $12.7 million, resulting in a worldwide box office total of $28.4 million.
Plot and story of the film “Immaculate”
Sister Mary tries to escape the Catholic monastery at night by stealing a superior’s keys. But four hooded figures intercept her, break her leg and knock her unconscious. She later wakes up in a coffin that is buried alive. At the same time, the young novice Sister Cecilia follows a religious call after almost drowning as a child. She firmly believes that God saved her to fulfill a special mission. When she receives an invitation from Father Sal Tedeschi to come to an Italian monastery, she accepts and takes her vows.
In the monastery, Cecilia befriends Sister Gwen and quickly notices strange goings-on. An elderly nun has scars in the shape of crosses on the soles of her feet. In addition, the monastery’s chapel houses a holy relic – a nail that was used in the crucifixion of Jesus. One night Cecilia discovers that she is pregnant despite her virginity. The other nuns begin to venerate her as the new Virgin Mary. The situation comes to a head when a jealous nun named Isabelle tries to drown Cecilia and later commits suicide.
Escape from the monastery
Cecilia falls seriously ill and loses one of her teeth. Her request to be taken to a hospital is denied. Sister Gwen then criticizes her superiors, whereupon Father Tedeschi removes her. Cecilia discovers a Bible passage behind a picture of the Virgin Mary and uncovers disturbing information about her past. While hearing screams at night, she witnesses a figure mutilating Gwen. As she tries to escape, an older nun stops her and warns her that she can never leave the monastery.
Cecilia fakes a miscarriage to get to a hospital, but the deception is discovered. Father Tedeschi explains to her that he used DNA samples from the Holy Nail to impregnate nuns and create a new messiah figure. He brands Cecilia with a cross. When Cecilia tries to escape again, she kills the superior while she is in labor. She finally manages to set Tedeschi’s laboratory on fire and escape into the catacombs. There she comes across Gwen’s body and discovers an escape route. At the last moment she kills Tedeschi with the Holy Nail and escapes.
Conclusion and reviews of the film “Immaculate”
„Immaculate“ impresses with a dark atmosphere and creates a world full of oppressive silence. Sydney Sweeney’s performance as Sister Cecilia takes center stage and impresses with its intensity. Director Michael Mohan deliberately uses visual contrasts to connect the claustrophobic environment of the monastery with the inner conflict of the main character. The nightmarish scenes in particular capture the protagonist’s psychological stress. But the plot sometimes seems predictable, which weakens the tension somewhat.
The film takes up well-known religious motifs without falling too much into clichés. Some twists are surprising, others less so, but the horror remains noticeable throughout. The mysterious rituals and the secret surrounding Father Tedeschi bring with them a dark fascination. However, some characters, like Sister Gwen, fall short of their potential. Despite minor weaknesses, “Immaculate” offers an oppressive horror experience that is particularly convincing due to its dense atmosphere.
Last updated on September 27, 2024 / Affiliate links / Images from the Amazon Product Advertising API
