You’ve likely seen the clips of a blood-soaked Sydney Sweeney screaming into the camera, a haunting image that’s basically become the face of modern religious horror. If you’ve watched the movie, you know it feels old. Not "vintage filter" old, but genuinely ancient, like the stones of the walls are sweating secrets from the 1500s. Naturally, the first thing everyone asks after the credits roll is: what city does Immaculate take place in, and can I actually visit that creepy convent?
Honesty hour: the movie doesn't just use a generic studio set in Burbank. It’s steeped in the very real, very dusty atmosphere of Italy.
The Short Answer: Rome and the Italian Countryside
Basically, the story of Immaculate unfolds in and around Rome, Italy.
Specifically, the narrative follows Sister Cecilia (Sweeney) as she leaves her life in Detroit to join a remote convent in the Italian countryside. While the movie portrays the convent as a secluded, somewhat isolated fortress of faith, the production stayed remarkably close to the Eternal City. Most of the filming occurred in the Lazio region, which surrounds Rome.
If you’re looking for a specific city name to pin on a map, the town of Frascati is your best bet. Located just about 20 kilometers southeast of Rome, it provided the primary backdrop for the convent’s exterior and several key interiors.
Why Rome?
Director Michael Mohan and Sydney Sweeney (who also produced the film) were obsessed with authenticity. You can’t fake that specific kind of Italian decay. They didn't want a "shining" Hollywood version of a monastery. They wanted the "musty catacombs" vibe where you can practically smell the incense and the damp earth.
They actually filmed in real catacombs. Not a soundstage. The real Catacombs of Rome. When you see Cecilia crawling through those narrow, dark tunnels, that’s not just clever lighting on plywood. That’s actual history pressing in on the actors.
Breaking Down the Key Locations
To understand what city does Immaculate take place in, you have to look at the three main pillars of its production design. These aren't just background fluff; they are the "characters" that make the movie feel so grounded in reality.
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1. Villa Parisi (Frascati)
This is the big one. If the convent in the movie looked familiar to you, you might be a horror buff. Villa Parisi in Frascati has a bit of a reputation. It has been used in several classic "Giallo" and horror films from the 70s, including A Bay of Blood and Blood for Dracula.
The villa serves as the primary "Convent of Our Lady of Sorrows." Its ornate but crumbling architecture perfectly captures that transition from "beautiful sanctuary" to "inescapable prison." It’s a real place you can technically see from a distance, though it's a private estate often used for weddings and high-end events. Kinda weird to think about people getting married in the same place Cecilia... well, you know.
2. Doria Pamphilj Gallery (Rome)
For some of the more opulent interior shots, the production moved into the heart of Rome. The Doria Pamphilj Gallery is one of the most famous private art collections in the world.
Using a location like this adds a layer of "Church wealth" that a set could never replicate. The sheer scale of the paintings and the gold-leafed ceilings explains why Cecilia feels so small and insignificant in the face of the institution she has joined. It’s beautiful, sure, but it’s also overwhelming.
3. Palazzo Colonna
The final, heart-pounding scenes of the movie—the ones that have left audiences debating in the lobby for twenty minutes—were filmed at Palazzo Colonna. This is another Roman landmark, one of the oldest and largest private palaces in the city.
The contrast between the gritty, terrifying labor Cecilia endures and the "perfect" aristocratic beauty of the palace creates a visual whiplash that defines the ending.
The Detroit Connection: A Tale of Two Cities
While most people focus on the Italian setting, we shouldn't forget where Cecilia starts. The movie begins with her leaving Detroit, Michigan.
This isn't a random choice. The script highlights that her parish in Detroit was closing down due to a lack of attendance. It sets up a "fish out of water" dynamic. She leaves a modern, struggling American city for an ancient, thriving (and secretive) Italian power structure.
The cold, grey industrial vibe of her memories of Detroit stands in stark contrast to the sepia-toned, sun-drenched, yet horrifying landscapes of rural Italy.
Can You Visit the Filming Locations?
If you're a dark tourist or just a movie nerd, you can actually visit some of these spots.
- Rome’s Catacombs: Places like the Catacombs of St. Callixtus or St. Sebastian are open to the public. You won’t find any "mad scientist priests" (hopefully), but you will find the same oppressive, silent atmosphere seen in the film.
- Doria Pamphilj Gallery: This is a standard stop for any art lover in Rome. It’s located on the Via del Corso and is stunningly beautiful.
- Frascati: The town itself is famous for its white wine (Frascati Superiore). It’s a great day trip from Rome. While you might not get a tour of Villa Parisi's basement, the town's vibe is exactly what you see in the establishing shots of the movie.
Why the Location Matters for SEO and Fans
People aren't just searching for what city does Immaculate take place in because they like trivia. The location is the "vibe" of the movie.
Without the specific Roman history, the plot—which involves DNA and religious relics—would feel like a cheap sci-fi flick. But because it’s set in the literal shadow of the Vatican, among stones that have stood for two thousand years, the horror feels heavier. It feels possible.
The "Italian-ness" of the movie is its greatest strength. It taps into the long tradition of Italian horror (think Dario Argento or Lucio Fulci) where the environment is just as much of a threat as the villain with the knife.
Actionable Tips for Movie Fans
If you're planning to dive deeper into the world of Immaculate or similar "convent horror" (often called Nunsploitation), here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch the 70s Classics: Check out Suspiria (1977) or The Devils (1971). You’ll see exactly where Michael Mohan got his inspiration for the visual style and the Italian setting.
- Look for the "Lazio" tag: When scouting for your next vacation, look at the Lazio region outside of the main city center of Rome. It's full of these ancient villas that look like they're hiding a secret.
- Pay attention to the language: About 20% of the movie is in Italian. If you watch it again, notice how the language barrier is used to make Cecilia (and the audience) feel more isolated.
- Visit the Doria Pamphilj virtually: If you can't get to Rome, their website has incredible high-res photos of the rooms used in the film.
The mystery of what city does Immaculate take place in isn't just about a GPS coordinate. It’s about how the history of Rome and the surrounding hills of Frascati were used to trap a character—and the audience—in a nightmare that feels as old as the Church itself.
For those interested in the architecture specifically, research the Palazzo Colonna's history. It’s been owned by the same family for nearly 800 years, which is exactly the kind of "unbroken lineage" that the movie's villains are so obsessed with. Exploring the real-world history of these sites makes the fictional horror of the movie feel all the more visceral.