Conclave

Conclave (2024)

A Riveting Intersection of the Divine and the Desperate

★★★★☆

An intriguing, unnerving ride that stands as one of the year’s most polished dramas.

Directed by Edward Berger, Conclave is a riveting drama that strips away the gold-leafed sanctity of the Vatican to reveal a human-fueled political machine. Centered on the election of a new Pope following the death of a beloved progressive leader, the film explores the greed, ambition, and dark secrets that bubble beneath the surface of a supposedly God-inspired process. It’s a political thriller dressed in liturgical robes, trading ballot boxes for smoke signals.

"The election of the Pope is theoretically supposed to be inspired by God. But the human fueled political process is in full display, with greed, ambition, bribery, dark secrets and jealousy all coming into play."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Edward Berger
• Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow
• Supporting: Isabella Rossellini, Sergio Castellitto
• Music: Volker Bertelmann

The Vision

Edward Berger masterfully accentuates the haunting traditions and ceremonial minutiae of the election. Several cinematic images and visuals stay with you long after the credits roll, supported by a propulsive film score that keeps the audience unnerved. While it stops just short of epic greatness—perhaps lacking the profound emotional heart needed for a truly shattering finale—it remains a masterclass in pacing and atmospheric suspense.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Literary Roots: The film is based on the 2016 best-selling novel by Robert Harris, known for his meticulously researched historical and political thrillers.
• Reunion: This film reunites director Edward Berger with composer Volker Bertelmann, following their Academy Award-winning collaboration on All Quiet on the Western Front.
• Costume Detail: The production team worked extensively to recreate the specific shades of "cardinal red," which differs from the "papal white" and other liturgical garments to ensure absolute period and ritual accuracy.

✅ Pros

• A powerhouse lead performance by Ralph Fiennes.
• Taut, suspenseful pacing and a haunting score.
• Incredible attention to the minutiae of Vatican tradition.

❌ Cons

• Slightly lacks the emotional "heart" to achieve epic status.
• The ending may not feel as profound as the build-up suggests.

🏆 Final Verdict

A beautifully acted, intellectually stimulating thriller. Conclave proves that the quest for power is just as fierce in the Sistine Chapel as it is in any hall of government.

View original review on Letterboxd