Immaculate, a 2024 American horror film starring Sydney Sweeney, is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer. The religious horror centres on a young nun who uncovers terrifying secrets at an Italian convent, with one viewer claiming it is guaranteed to "get under your skin" after witnessing its gory scenes and psychological twists.
Plot and Premise
The film follows Cecilia, played by Sweeney, who after plunging into a frozen lake and being declared dead for seven minutes, becomes certain God spared her. With renewed purpose, she embraces Christianity and later receives a personal invitation from Father Sal Tedeschi to join a convent in Italy.
After taking her vows and heading to Italy, events take a dark turn. Plagued by nightmares of hooded figures, Cecilia discovers she is pregnant despite being a virgin. One night, while wandering the convent, she hears a woman's screams and witnesses a hooded figure cutting out her tongue.
Critical Reception
One review on Rotten Tomatoes reads: "Religious horror has a unique way of getting under my skin. There's something about the blend of faith, guilt, and supernatural terror that always sticks with me, and Immaculate delivers on all fronts."
Another enthusiast wrote: "One of the best horror films produced. Beautifully executed throughout the whole production; tickled my senses. Thank you! No feedback to give; speechless."
Cast and Comparisons
Sweeney is joined on screen by Álvaro Morte, Benedetta Porcaroli, Dora Romano, Giorgio Colangeli, and Simona Tabasco. One viewer stated: "SHOCKED by how good this turned out to be. First of all, I do not particularly like Sydney Sweeney and do not get how she became such a big deal. But I saw the reviews and decided to give it a shot. I was surprised at what a good job she did, how novel the plot was, the nuanced symbolism of the images, everything."
Another shared: "Known for her looks, this movie showcased that Sydney Sweeney does in fact have the acting chops!" Some criticism notes its resemblance to The First Omen, which arrived in cinemas around the same period and features comparable religious backdrops while examining themes of female bodily autonomy.
Immaculate is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
