Conclave is a story of vying for religious political power. The Pope has died. As such, the Catholic Church stands at a crossroads. The next selected leader will usher in a new era and define the church’s stance on various cultural issues. Overseeing the election is Thomas Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes). As the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Thomas is responsible for a fair, open, and honest electoral process. Soon after the proceedings begin, several candidates emerge as frontrunners. These include progressive liberal Aldo Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), Joseph Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow) whose last moments with the Pope come under scrutiny, and conservative Goffredo Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto). As new details about the men come to light, Lawrence must decide how much private information deserves to be shared with the College.
What works in Conclave is the tremendous acting, striking production design, the writing, and the score. Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) provides fantastic direction, leveraging the tremendous talent of his collective players. The characters all feel deep and complex. Their multiplayer chess game results in palpable tension at nearly every turn and interaction. Adding to this is the color scheme. Suzie Davies (Saltburn) has selected gorgeous red vestments which provide stark contrast to the muted whites and grays of the papal surroundings. Finally, the musical accompaniment by Volker Bertelmann (Arrival) gives Conclave a haunting quality that elevates the mood. All in all, Berger has constructed a taut film that is fascinating and engaging.
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People who don’t enjoy films about religious entities—especially their darker sides—may not enjoy Conclave as much as others. To call some of the characters villainous might be a step too far, but Berger presents high-ranking officials within the church as less than ideal. These are manipulative men with their own agendas. Several of them are more than willing to bend the rules (or morals, or ethics) to obtain power. This portrayal of the Catholic Church (while human) may prove unsettling for some. Furthermore, Conclave assumes some base knowledge of Catholic policy and procedure. While most will likely be able to keep up using contextual clues, those familiar with the papal election process are likely to become more engrossed than others. Conclave tries to maintain a sense of realism by avoiding heavy exposition, which may confuse some.
Conclave is a rapt thriller without ever being scary. The ensemble of veterans appears to delight in their respective roles. This is likely due to Peter Straughan’s (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) tight script that moves at a quick pace, but never feels overwhelming. Highly recommended.
Recommended if you enjoyed: Women Talking, Spotlight, The Two Popes
Conclave is now available to view on most digital streaming platforms.
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