I really wanted to like Michael Mohan’s “Immaculate.” I really did. The script is just very weak. The shots are obvious. There’s some really cheap jump scares in this film. Sydney Sweeney, as always, is strong in the lead role, but the story is very familiar, especially if you’ve seen “Rosemary’s Baby” and its ilk.
“Immaculate” is what one might call a gothic slow-burn. It’s all conspiratorial, meant to leave the viewer paranoid throughout — nuns whisper, priests give dirty looks. I, sadly, couldn’t take the bait. For as beautifully shot as the film might be, it resoundingly gives the viewer nothing to chew on.
The crux of the plot has a young naïve nun, Cecilia (Sweeney), leaving her beloved Michigan and accepting a position at a secluded convent in Italy. While there, she mysteriously becomes pregnant, despite being a virgin, and soon the convent believes she’s carrying the resurrection of Christ.
Most of the characters are walking cliches. The strict mother superior (Dora Romano) exudes less than she’s hiding. Cecilia also strikes up a friendship with a young nun (Benedetta Porcaroli) and fields interrogatory hostility from the local Cardinal (Giorgio Colangeli). At least there’s Father Sal (Álvaro Morte), who seems a tad too friendly and hospitable for his own good.
The beautiful Italian scenery is expertly photographed by cinematographer Elisha Christian. There’s plenty of effective framing here, a lot of it taking place in large church halls and hallways. The atmosphere Mohan and Christian try to build isn’t the problem, it’s more Andrew Lobell’s rehashed screenplay which steals ideas from better and more enveloping films.
For one thing, “Immaculate” is not especially scary, despite it having plenty of gore. No particular moments stand out, save for the bruisingly effective last 10 minutes which has the film cracking its exploitation roots wide open and the deep-knit tension finally being unleashed. There’s a long take somewhere in there that is damn-near jaw-dropping.
However, the build-up consists mostly of Sweeney’s Sister Cecilia looking confused and innerly tortured. There was never any doubt in my mind what the twist in this one was going to be. You could probably figure it out just by watching the trailer, or even reading the plot synopsis.
What exactly is “Immaculate” supposed to be about? Bodily autonomy? If it is about that then the ideas have been underdeveloped via thin characters and a resoundingly dull story. It’s all style and no substance. [C+]