Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte, Benedetta Porcaroli, Dora Romano, Giorgio Colangeli, and Simona Tabasco.

Directed by Michael Mohan

Neon, in cinemas now

A novice nun of devout faith takes her vows at an Italian convent, but there are dark secrets within its walls.

Director Michael Mohan’s tepid 2021 erotic thriller starring Sydney Sweeney was, to put it mildly, unmemorable and disposable. So, no one was more surprised than me that this nunsploitation horror movie starring the same leading lady is an intense and accomplished piece of work.

Sister Cecilia (Sweeney) has devoted her life to the church following a freak accident as a child and takes residence in a convent for old nuns who are preparing their transition to God.

Supported by beautiful Roman locations and occasional uses of Bruno Nicolai scores, we are immediately thrown back to Italian exploitation movies of the 1970s as Cecilia discovers that she has become pregnant – a virgin mother to be worshipped by the order. But can this really be the Second Coming, or has modern science intervened to create a new saviour?

It’s fair to say that the movie moves along at 6/10 on the hystericalometer for most of its 90-minute running time, and then for the last ten minutes it’s a solid 11. Doe-eyed innocent Sweeney is in every scene of the movie, and she delivers a credible portrayal of a young woman who lets blind faith lead her only so far. There are generous helpings of Rosemary’s Baby, The Omen and Suspiria thrown into the cauldron, and if you’re an old school horror buff, you’ll have a ball!

Verdict: Saints preserve us! A lean, shocking descent into hell with affectionate nods to what’s gone before. My favourite new horror movie so far this year. 10/10

Nick Joy