Sydney Sweeney talks ‘Immaculate.’
Opening in theaters on March 22nd is the new horror movie ‘Immaculate,’ which was directed by Michael Mohan (‘The Voyeurs’) and stars Sydney Sweeney (‘Anyone but You,’ ‘Madame Web’).
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with actress and producer Sydney Sweeney to talk about her work on ‘Immaculate,’ her first reaction to the screenplay, why she wanted to make the movie, her character, working with director Michael Mohan and why she loves horror films.
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Sydney Sweeney in ‘Immaculate.’ Photo: Neon.
Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay, and as a producer and actress why did you want to make this movie?
Sydney Sweeney: My first reaction, I was quite young, I was 16, and I was so enthralled with the character’s journey. She was such an unexpected “final girl” almost, where you don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s an unexpected turn, she’s scared, she’s quiet, and then she finds this inner strength that she completely loses it. It’s so fun as an actor. So, seeing a character in a horror genre be able to have such a cool arc, I was really intrigued by it. Then, I also love horror films, I grew up watching them with my dad. So, I felt like this one was just unique and cool. I love that a lot of the elements also were fear of reality, which I thought was interesting.
Sydney Sweeney in ‘Immaculate.’ Photo: Neon.
MF: Cecilia had a traumatic experience before the movie starts. Can you talk about that, why she moves to the convent and what she’s hoping to get out of that experience?
SS: So, when she was young, she had a near-death experience and she always questioned why she was saved. She felt like God really touched her in a way and saved her life, and she felt like she owed it to someone greater than who she was. She never really found her place where she grew up, within her family. She never really felt like she belonged. She felt like an outcast. So, she started going to church and felt a community that she’s never felt before. It grew into something greater than herself. So, she wanted to serve God in a more impactful, meaningful way. She got ahold of different priests that moved her around and then, she wound up in Italy.
Sydney Sweeney in ‘Immaculate.’ Photo: Neon.
MF: You are running, screaming, and crying throughout the movie. Was this an emotionally and physically demanding role for you to play?
SS: It was, but I was so excited. I was on such an adrenaline rush of just being a part of this project in such a big way that I didn’t want the day to end. I hated when we called wrap. I wanted to be there just helping and doing anything that I possibly could.
Sydney Sweeney in ‘Immaculate.’ Photo: Neon.
MF: You mentioned that you love horror films. I’m curious, is it fun making a horror movie, and what do you love about the genre?
SS: It is fun. It’s always funny because whenever people ask like, “Is it dark and hard? Is it hard to jump out of it?” I always find that sometimes the most heartbreaking or darkest scenes, everybody’s just having a really great time. When I’m drenched in blood, we’re all laughing and running around. But I love the horror genre. I love that you can just push the boundaries, like there’s no rules to the world. I think that that’s just fun to play with cinematically, character-wise, storytelling-wise, and I think it’s a lot of fun.
(L to R) Sydney Sweeney and director Michael Mohan on the set of ‘Immaculate.’ Photo: Neon.
MF: Finally, what was it like collaborating with director Michael Mohan on set?
SS: I love Michael. I’ve worked with him since I was 19. This is our third project together. He is such an incredible collaborative person because he truly listens and he cares about everybody else, and he is super thoughtful. But then also, he has such a vision, and he sticks to that vision, but then also listens and puts me at the table as well.
“Not every intervention is divine.”
Cecilia, a woman of devout faith, is offered a fulfilling new role at an illustrious Italian convent. Her warm welcome to the picture-perfect Italian countryside… Read the Plot
What is the Plot of ‘Immaculate’?
A devoutly religious woman named Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney) is offered a role at an illustrious convent in the Italian countryside. Her seemingly picture-perfect new home is soon revealed to hold horrifying secrets.
Who is in the Cast of ‘Immaculate’?
- Sydney Sweeney as Cecilia
- Álvaro Morte as Father Sal Tedeschi
- Benedetta Porcaroli as Sister Gwen
- Dora Romano as Mother Superior
- Giorgio Colangeli as Cardinal Franco Merola
- Simona Tabasco as Sister Mary
Sydney Sweeney in ‘Immaculate.’ Photo: Neon.
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