Sydney Sweeney discloses her major request for the finale of Immaculate: 'I simply wished to be completely soaked in blood'

By M Muzamil Shami

Additionally, explore why the script remained entrenched in her mind for a decade.

Being both the producer and lead actor of Immaculate, Sydney Sweeney brought forth numerous ideas for the film, yet she had only one significant request.

"In my view, what I really aimed for was to be completely immersed in blood by the movie's conclusion," she shares with Entertainment Weekly, pointing to films like Ready or Not and Carrie as her sources of inspiration. "I'm drawn to those climactic scenes where, after enduring a harrowing journey, the female protagonist emerges as a total badass, embracing everything that's thrown her way."

"And indeed, she endures a harrowing ordeal: As the film reaches its conclusion, Cecilia, the innocent nun in Sweeney's tale, discovers that her body has been manipulated without her consent to bear what a deranged priest-scientist hopes will become a replica of Jesus Christ. Her sole means of liberation from this torment is to embark on a violent rampage—while in the throes of childbirth, no less."

       Sydney Sweeney stars in 'Immaculate'. Photo credit: Fabio Lovino / NEON / Courtesy of Everett

If this seems radical, it's because it truly is. However, the movie isn't solely about blood and gore. Surprisingly, there are comedic interludes too—what's more amusing than witnessing a nun casually dropping an f-bomb? Moreover, the horror aspects themselves defy easy categorization, refusing to fit neatly into one genre.

Sweeney and director Michael Mohan, who previously collaborated on the 2021 film "The Voyeurs" and the 2018 TV series "Everything Sucks!", deliberately aimed for a delicate equilibrium between light-hearted moments and intense sequences. "I am a devoted enthusiast of diverse horror genres, and I aimed for a blend of elements," explains Sweeney. "Personally, I'm drawn to jump scares, so I advocated for their inclusion in the film. On the other hand, Mike gravitates towards psychological thrillers, contributing many of the more extended, gripping psychological shots. Essentially, it was a fusion of our shared passion for horror cinema, coupled with creative experimentation aimed at pushing boundaries and delivering an engaging and thrilling experience."

In Immaculate, one horror aspect absent is a supernatural foe. Instead, the antagonist embodies pure human malevolence. This unique twist is what resonated with Sweeney, who auditioned for the role a decade ago and still finds the script compelling to this day.

"I have a passion for horror films, but the scripts I've been receiving often revolve around being chased by supernatural creatures or lack a sense of psychological depth," she elaborates. "I find myself constantly drawn back to 'Immaculate' because its horror stemmed from reality and the depths of human nature. What the protagonist was trying to flee from was something that was manifesting within her, which I found truly compelling."

The film "Immaculate," featuring Álvaro Morte, Simona Tabasco, Benedetta Porcaroli, Giorgio Colangeli, and Dora Romano, is currently showing in theaters.