Running time: 120 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.
In Edward Berger’s Conclave, the sacred ritual of selecting a new pope becomes a high-stakes political game, where loyalty is fluid and ambitions run high. Based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, Conclave brings viewers into the secretive halls of the Vatican in the tense days following the pope’s death. Rather than a serene, holy affair, this process is full of maneuvering, secrets, and rivalries, making for an engaging, edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Peter Straughan, who also co-wrote Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, adapts the novel brilliantly, immersing the audience in the drama with the help of Volker Bertelmann’s tense musical score. The film opens with an arresting visual of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) walking briskly through the Vatican, his back to the camera, setting the tone for the complex web of politics and mystery that unfolds.
Fiennes plays Lawrence, the dean of the College of Cardinals, responsible for overseeing the election of the next pope. He gathers over 100 clergymen in Rome, all sequestered from the outside world, as they engage in not-so-holy lobbying for support. Among the contenders are Aldo Bellini (Stanley Tucci), a progressive reformer, and Goffredo Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), who longs to return to traditional Catholic practices. Meanwhile, Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) is poised to make history as the first Black pope, though his views on homosexuality raise concerns among his peers. John Lithgow’s Joseph Tremblay, a character whose ambition is obvious, rounds out the key players.
As the proceedings drag on, Lawrence himself faces internal conflict, having attempted to resign from his position. “My request was denied,” he admits to Bellini, revealing the immense pressure he is under. Meanwhile, rumors of a suppressed report of misconduct and a potential sabotage plot swirl within the conclave, adding layers of intrigue. The surprise appearance of Cardinal Vincent Benitez (Carlos Diehz), secretly appointed as Archbishop of Kabul, adds further tension, as the cardinals scramble to understand his sudden role in the process.
The performances are a true highlight, particularly for fans of seasoned actors. The film is a showcase of veteran talents like Fiennes, Lithgow, and Tucci, all delivering complex, nuanced portrayals. Their faces, lined with experience and emotion, tell as much of the story as the dialogue, adding depth to the characters’ moral dilemmas and political gamesmanship.
Adding to the intensity is the setting of the Vatican itself. Berger, who previously directed All Quiet on the Western Front, takes full advantage of the grandeur and mystery of the location. Elaborate ceremonies, frequent costume changes, and the cloistered, almost claustrophobic atmosphere add to the suspense. Yet, despite the Vatican setting, the film’s central themes of power, corruption, and human frailty could easily apply to any political or religious institution.
While Conclave is sure to provoke some controversy for its depiction of Church politics, it is a smartly crafted, thrilling drama that keeps audiences engaged from start to finish. As Isabella Rossellini’s head nun remarks in one of the few lighthearted moments of the film, “This is not just about faith—it’s about survival.” And that, ultimately, is what makes Conclave so compelling: it’s a story about the collision of ambition, fear, and conscience in a world where every decision has lasting consequences.
Rating: 3.5/4 stars
Running Time: 120 minutes
Conclave, a Focus Features release, is rated PG for thematic material and smoking.
For fans of gripping, intelligent thrillers with political intrigue, Conclave offers a masterfully constructed narrative that will leave you thinking long after the final vote is cast.
