Film Review: THE IMMACULATE ROOM (2022): Emile Hirsch and Kate Bosworth Elevate Film’s Premise a Bit Beyond What it is on the Surface

The Immaculate Room Review

The Immaculate Room (2022) Film Review, a movie written and directed by Mukunda Michael Dewil and starring Emile Hirsch, Kate Bosworth, Ashley Greene, M. Emmet Walsh, Alex Sgambati, Tiffany Smith and Joel David Moore.

In the high-concept new movie, The Immaculate Room, a couple immerse themselves in a boring white, shiny room in order to win a multi-million dollar prize if they can survive together without too many resources for a period of 50 days. It’s a hypothetical premise that would probably never happen in real life and, if it did, it would never happen the way it does in the film. Filmmaker Mukunda Michael Dewil has written himself into a corner here by essentially suggesting that the young couple the movie portrays could possibly play out this scenario the way the film suggests. I won’t tell you how the plot unravels too much but, luckily, the movie’s stars, Emile Hirsch and Kate Bosworth essentially save the picture from becoming a mundane picture full of what-ifs that never really take off to the extent which they should. Because of the performances, the movie becomes an ideal date movie instead. Since the film is streaming, it would be for an at home date obviously.

Hirsch portrays Michael who has a troubled past and is looking to make the money that will come from staying in the room which is voiced rather well by the memorable talent of Gianna Wichelow. As Michael’s partner, Katherine, Bosworth is, perhaps, the weakest link to them running off successfully with the cash prize. Why? She dwells too much on insignificant things that really don’t matter too much in the grand scheme of these characters’ futures. Bosworth plays the part with intensity but the character is not believable enough at times since she is said from the outset of the movie to want to obtain the promised money from the film’s given scenario. Sometimes her behavior suggests otherwise.

There is a scene where Michael wants to let a bug out of the room but Katherine fights with him about that particular situation. If they open the door to let the bug go, they will lose at least part of the money which makes Michael come off as a bit of a jerk. Then, a gun pops up out of nowhere and appears in their bathroom. How did it get there and what will it mean for the movie’s plot development, if anything? I found that scenario quite interesting and the arrival of an actress named Simone (a well cast Ashley Greene) to the room makes for some plot development that will have audiences guessing and re-guessing how the film’s twisty plot will unravel.

M. Emmet Walsh appears in a solid turn on a screen within the immaculate room. Walsh is serving as Katherine’s dad, Harry who triggers Katherine emotionally since she has an estranged relationship with the father. Bosworth is at her very best in this scene in the picture as she tells Michael how she is being affected by Harry coming back into her life even if it’s just on a television monitor.

What makes the scenes with Greene work so well is we’re never quite sure if she’s simply been placed in the room to dissolve the couple’s relationship or if she does, indeed, genuinely learn to care about Michael. Greene plays the role in a complex fashion which will leave the viewer analyzing her role even after the picture ends.

Hirsch has always been one of our most underappreciated actors and delivers compelling screen work in this picture opposite the always reliable Bosworth. They are both playing deeply flawed characters which prevents them from being totally relatable which is a fact that undermines the integrity of the movie at times. Still, it’s an interesting plot and one that does provide some thought-provoking revelations. Particularly effective are the scenes where Michael sacrifices some money to pay for a green over-sized crayon which he uses to create art during his intense boredom in the room of the film’s title. This artwork makes for some delicate conversations between the characters here.

The Immaculate Room could have been and should have been a great film. This picture falls apart a bit at the conclusion but is still enough to initiate conversations between viewers about whether or not they would disappear into a white room for a huge amount of money and, also, whether or not they could be successful at living with another person under those intense circumstances which the film portrays.

This film is nothing less than an interesting hypothetical look at what could happen if one isn’t able to control his or her emotions under circumstances which could ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life. Is it worth shutting up and turning off our emotions for a big pay day? This movie provides some thought-provoking answers for sure despite its flaws. Hirsch and Bosworth alongside the terrific Greene make the film a sure-to-be intriguing picture for everyday viewers.

Rating: 6.5/10

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