Conclave

Film details

Film TitleConclave
Suitability
Genre
Length120mins
Year2024
CountryUnited Kingdom, United States of America
DirectorEdward Berger
ActorsRalph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Lucian Msamati, Carlos Diehz, Sergio Castellitto, Brían F. O'Byrne, Merab Ninidze, Jacek Koman, Rony Kramer, Joseph Mydell, Thomas Loibl, Loris Loddi, Willie Jonah
LanguageEnglish
AKANuns on the run 3: Smokey and the signal
Showings

After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with managing the covert and ancient ritual of electing a new one. Sequestered in the Vatican with the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders until the process is complete, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could lead to its downfall.

Despite its heavyweight subject matter, however, the result is remarkably playful; without flattening the importance of the papacy or abandoning the novel’s attention to detail, Conclave exposes the sometimes farcical nature of institutional practices.

Watching brilliant actors face off over issues of idealism, pragmatism, and maybe occasionally faith makes for captivating viewing. Conclave even dares to make it a little *fun*. Which might be its most subversive element.

A glossily transferred airport novel first and a deeper drama about the world of religion second. Given how few high-class thrillers of this scale we actually get on the big screen at this moment, I would vote for more.