Okay, mujhe cancel mat karna but at this point in time, if I had to choose the most boring, bland genre of movies, it would be horror. You can’t blame me. Go on, think about the last GOOD horror movie that you watched. Something that felt refreshing for the genre. See what I’m talking about? Talking about horror movies– here I am with ‘Immaculate’, a movie that is supposed to mix old-school Italian horror vibes with some modern-day commentary on women’s rights. Haan bhai, before you get your hopes to high, let me tell you mujhe bhi bada interesting laga that concept. But while Sweeney kills it (pun intended), the rest of the movie is just straight-up mehhhh.
Plot
So, the story kicks off with Cecilia, a mysterious young woman jiske baare mein we know nothing at all. Just that she should’ve died in a childhood accident, but she didn’t and became a believer from that point. Cut to the present when she heads to a convent in the middle of nowhere in Italy. The place is super creepy, and from the very first shot, you know something’s up because the movie literally opens with nuns in red masks burying another nun ALIVE. As if aisa hi toh hota hai roz convents mein. Also, wahaan jaate hi Cecilia starts having these freaky visions and weird encounters and then all of a sudden she finds out she’s pregnant???? Without ever having been w a guy??? Is it a miracle or a curse? The movie tosses this juicy mystery at us but then kinda just shrugs and says, “Iske aage mujhe nahi pata, tum log apna apna dekh lo.”
Performances
Sydney Sweeney, though—wow. With “Anyone But You”, and the SNL sketch she’s been on fire lately, and “Immaculate” is just another addition to the list. She’s easily the strongest element of the movie. I’m so happy to see how, with every new film, she’s getting rid of that stereotype around her, proving that she can actually act well. But the problem is, the rest of the cast feels like they’re just there to fill space. No one else really stands out or gets any depth for that matter, which is a bummer because, with a bit more effort, the movie could’ve been way more engaging. Humare Money Heist wale Professor sahab, Álvaro Morte is also in the movie. And it’s just sad how he has so little to do w his role :/
Direction and Writing
Michael Mohan, the director, tries to channel that classic Giallo style of horror movies but misses the mark. In case you don’t know what Giallo is, it is basically this genre of murder mystery movies in Italian cinema that includes psych thrillers, slasher films, and stuff. And while ‘Immaculate’ should’ve been popping with vibrant colors and wild visuals, it’s all pretty bland and monotonous here. And believe me, Andrew Lobel’s script has some solid ideas—pregnant nun, religious fanaticism, women’s body autonomy—but all of it just scratches the surface. They never really dive into these themes, so what we get is a bunch of jump scares and other over-exploited horror tropes instead of a disturbing, spooky story. Kuch nahi bol sakta, bass sigh karke move on karunga.
Screenplay and Cinematography
The screenplay makes the dull movie even more boring– it’s just all over the place. Important plot points, character motivations, sab kitne carelessly depict kiye hai. Where is the coherence? It’s like they had all these puzzle pieces but didn’t know how to fit them together, maybe because some of the pieces weren’t even meant to be a part of the puzzle. And is wajah se the pacing is off, too. Trust me, I tried my best to stay invested, but there are points in the movie where you can’t help but take a break because wtf where is the tension build-up? Even the cinematography, is just blah. The convent should be dripping with an eerie atmosphere, but it looks like any other old building. No unique angles, no mood-setting lighting—nothing. They had an amazing chance, and there are interesting scenes where we see their potential, but I’m afraid they are far too less in number.
So, here’s the deal: “Immaculate” had a lot of potential but doesn’t deliver. Sydney Sweeney is amazing and worth watching, but the movie around her is kind of a mess. If you’re a horror fan, you might find some bits to enjoy but don’t expect it to blow your mind. It’s like having a killer main dish with a side of plain, boring veggies. You’ll enjoy the good parts, but you can’t help but think about what could’ve been better. I’m sorry Sydney ji, but it’s a skip for me.
