Immaculate: A Wild, Bloody Ride That Loses Its Spark

Immaculate has all the ingredients for a gripping psychological horror film: a creepy convent setting, strong visual imagery, and a provocative premise. Unfortunately, while it looks fantastic, it doesn’t dig deep enough into its themes or characters to leave a lasting impression.

Sydney Sweeney gives a capable performance as Cecilia, but she isn't able to transcend the limitations of the script. It feels like she was left to fend for herself without the necessary support from strong writing or deeper character development. The cinematography is stellar, creating a visually unsettling atmosphere with moody lighting and haunting compositions, but even the best shots can't fully compensate for the story's lack of emotional depth.

Gore elements are handled effectively, but the jump scares feel cheap and predictable. I found myself detached from the characters and their fates, which robbed the final sequences of any real tension. A longer runtime could have allowed the filmmakers to explore the characters' backgrounds and build a stronger emotional connection, but as it stands, the movie races through its plot points without giving anything room to breathe.

By the time the film reached its rushed, unsatisfying ending, I was more relieved than scared. Immaculate had so much potential to be an unsettling masterpiece, but settles for being stylish horror without much soul.