[NOTE: This review is partially adapted from my reaction to Conclave following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival]
Arriving just in time for award’s season, Edward Berger’s Conclave can be likened to a wolf in sheep’s clothing. With its bevvy of respected and acclaimed stars and story centering on the Catholic Church, you may get the impression at a quick glance that it’s a stuffy, dry drama, but that would be a major misconception; this is a riveting, gorgeous political thriller with razor sharp teeth. As someone whose knowledge about papal elections extends to knowing the differences between the black smoke and the white smoke, I hung on every delicious revelation and twist during my screening, and my face of awe and surprise morphed into an ear-to-ear grin witnessing what is unquestionably one of the best endings in 2024 cinema.
Conclave
Release Date: October 25, 2024
Directed By: Edward Berger
Written By: Peter Straughan
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini
Rating: Rated PG for thematic material and smoking
Runtime: 120 minutes
Berger’s follow-up to the acclaimed All Quiet On The Western Front, the film is a stunner that is phenomenal in every respect – from the genius performances by the brilliant ensemble cast to breathtaking production design, costuming and cinematography that leaves you wanting to hit pause and frame stills for your walls. It’s a work of art set within a specific world, but it’s also an awesome reflection of modernity and where we are in 21st century society.
Based on the book of the same name by author Robert Harris, the film centers on Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who finds himself with the responsibility of conducting a papal conclave following the death of the pope – a responsibility he wishes to refuse given a recent crisis of faith in the operation of the Catholic Church. Initially, it seems as though the sequestered election in Vatican City is a two-horse race between the well-liked and modest Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), who is expected to further the progressive movement of the church, and the ultra-conservative Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto). But it only takes the first round of ballots to throw everything into disarray and into the realm of the unexpected.
In addition to far more nominees being named and getting support than expected, including Lawrence himself, there are controversies that swirl around candidate Cardinals Tremblay (John Lithgow) and Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), and there is also the mysterious arrival Vincent Benitez (Carlos Diehz), an in pectore cardinal who arrives from Kabul, Afghanistan. Over time, masks come off and secrets are revealed, and in contrast to the organization’s image of piousness and faith, the men scrape and claw at one another for the chance at grasping power, and Lawrence stands at the center as horrified witness.
Conclave is a gripping thriller that always keeps you guessing at what revelation is coming next.
If you’re a fan of the outstanding television series Succession, you’re going to find that Conclave hits a lot of the same buttons of intrigue (albeit on the whole, the characters are far less contemptable). The thirst for power rears its head in many forms as men vie to be the leader of the Catholic Church, and the constant stream of politicking, backbiting and exposés is enthralling. Dynamics are always shifting with each new ballot that is cast over the course of several days, and while the collection of cardinals is meant to be cut off from the rest of the world, there is a persistent flow of fresh intrigue that keeps the audience guessing – with Isabella Rossellini’s furtive Sister Agnes operating her own levers amid the drama.
Given the bounded scale of the story, Conclave puts all of its energy into establishing the various personalities, which not only enhances the intrigue but also creates the stakes. Whether it’s because of what certain political stances might mean for the future of the church or because of what some of the men are willing to do to win the election, you clearly understand that some of these people should most definitely not be named as the new pope, and the audience gains a hunger to see potential power ripped from their grasp (again, I’ll make a Succession comparison).
Can anyone really be surprised Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini assemble as one of the best ensemble casts of 2024?
Bringing these complex characters to life are actors whose names you’re going to be hearing a lot in the coming months, as they are going to be big parts of the upcoming 2024 awards season chatter. Ralph Fiennes is the amazing lynchpin of the ensemble, wearing intense stress and burden on his face as Cardinal Lawrence orchestrates the titular papal election while not recognizing his own place in the church’s future beyond it, but Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Isabella Rossellini and Lucian Msamati deliver some of the best supporting actor performances of the year. It’s stunning in reflection to recognize the extent to which our perspectives on their roles change from the film’s beginning to end, and in that way, we are Cardinal Lawrence.
Conclave is a visual feast with awe-inspiring design.
While your brain is wrapped around the constantly evolving election drama in Conclave, your eyes are bathed in remarkable aesthetic beauty. The movie may only see its characters occupying a limited number of locations, but there isn’t a hint of visual fatigue as the film is constantly presenting bold and impressive imagery. With great credit going to cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine and costume designer Lisy Christl, the contrasts of red and white are vivid and gorgeous, and there are individual shots that breathtakingly evoke paintings of the renaissance (and Edward Berger delightfully lets you enjoy the moment).
If the described quality of Conclave here doesn’t convince you to go see it immediately, what hopefully should is the fact that it features one of the best twist endings in recent memory, and you’re not going to want to have it spoiled for you (ironically, had me whispering, “Holy shit!” aloud when the truth comes to light). With two months left in the year, it still feels a touch early to make too bold proclamations reflecting on 2024 as a whole, but I nonetheless with unabashedly say that it’s one of the year’s greatest cinematic experiences.