Summary
Immaculateis a film that often straddles the line between serious horror and campy absurdity. While its exploration of religious themes and disturbing imagery is undoubtedly its focal point,there’s an unexpected moment of levity that, for me, stands out in stark contrast to the rest of the film. It also couldn’t be further fromImmaculate’s harrowing ending, yet somehow works within the overall context of the movie.
One particular scene provides a brief respite fromImmaculate’s oppressive atmosphere. This tonal shift is reminiscent of the similarly comedic moments in my favorite nun movie,The Little Hours.Both films, while sharing a convent setting, take vastly different approaches to the material. WhileImmaculateultimately leans into the horror,The Little Hoursembraces its comedic potential with gusto – revealing that theSydney Sweeney horrorcould have been a very different kind of movie with only a slight adjustment.
One Scene From Immaculate Mirrors A Memorable Sequence From The Little Hours
Immaculateis for the most part serious and disturbing —at times I thought its sincerity was almost to its detriment considering the delightfully ludicrous plot— but one particular scene stands in comic contrast to the rest. When Sister Cecilia is adjusting to life in the convent, there is a montage of chores that is a complete tonal shift for just a few minutes of the movie. The usually ethereal vocal soundtrack changes to an upbeat harpsichord as Cecilia and the other sisters learn about how best to arrange the laundry so that it dries faster, and she is tasked with beheading a chicken.
I can’t help but find this reminiscent of the comedy in the medieval rompThe Little Hours —which, much like Sweeney inImmaculate, Aubrey Plaza both starred in and co-produced. This chore montage may have been included inImmaculatefor comic relief, butthe horror in the subversive gothic bordered on naïve camp so often that the deliberately comedic chores scene looked out of place. Compared to the sincere terror, it seems like the film isn’t sure what direction it wants to go in. However, I’m glad it ultimately focused on the horror, because the perfect nun comedy already exists.
The Little Hours Is An Underrated Nun Movie
The Little Hours’ attention to detail makes it a wonderful period comedy — in the film’s opening, Sister Ginevra asks Sister Fernanda why she’s wearing her black habit in the springtime, whichchallenges stereotypical nun aesthetics. This authenticity adds to the comedic appeal throughout. The opening scene establishes the nuns’ typical routine — subversively, and hilariously, this includes daily verbal abuse thrown at the farmer. Later, comedy is added to the tedious laundry chores (much like inImmaculate)when Ginevra describes the entire process to Alessandra, who cheerfully concludes that she’ll leave the task with her.
Brie’s cheerful disposition contrasts perfectly with Plaza’s sullen deadpan.
Both movies use stunning pastoral shots. ForImmaculate,this setting — filmed in and around Rome — adds a believable backdrop for the horror. ForThe Little Hours,also filmed in Italy,the gags interact with the setting masterfully. Further, the comedic leads lend their style to make it work as both a period and a modern comedy. Brie’s cheerful disposition contrasts perfectly with Plaza’s sullen deadpan. Rather than dwelling on punishment as inImmaculate,The Little Hoursdelights in the nuns’ spiritual and sexual transgressions and the laughable tribunal proceedings of the convent.
