Conclave movie review and analysis: Inside the Oscar-winning Vatican thriller of 2024

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the Vatican’s closed doors when the world’s most secretive election takes place, Conclave (2024) is your golden ticket. Directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, this Oscar-winning thriller pulls back the crimson curtain on the papal conclave, blending intrigue, faith, and political chess into a film that’s as timely as it is timeless. Let’s dive into this critical review, exploring why Conclave movie has become a must-watch in 2024 and beyond.

Introduction: A papal thriller for the modern age

Conclave movie drops viewers into the heart of the Vatican at a moment of profound uncertainty: the Pope is dead, and the College of Cardinals must elect a successor. Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), the Dean of the College, is tasked with orchestrating this ancient ritual. But as the red-robed electors gather, secrets, scandals, and personal crises threaten to upend not just the outcome, but the very soul of the Catholic Church itself.

Edward Berger’s direction, combined with a stellar ensemble cast, transforms what could have been a dry procedural into a gripping, character-driven drama. The film’s release, coinciding with the real-life passing of Pope Francis, only heightened its resonance and cultural impact.

Detailed synopsis: Secrets, scandals, and the search for faith

Without spoiling the film’s many twists, here’s the lay of the land:

• The Pope dies suddenly, triggering a conclave in the Vatican. Cardinal Lawrence, a man haunted by doubt and past failures, is tasked with keeping order.
• As the cardinals vote, alliances form and fracture. Favourites emerge: the progressive Adeyemi, the ambitious Tremblay, the hardliner Tedesco, and the enigmatic Benitez.
• Lawrence uncovers a web of secrets: illicit relationships, bribery, and a mysterious medical file linked to Benitez.
• A terrorist attack in Rome adds urgency and chaos, pushing the conclave to the brink.
• In the final ballots, Benitez is elected Pope, but a personal revelation challenges Lawrence’s sense of duty and faith.
• The film ends on a note of ambiguity and grace, as Lawrence chooses compassion over ambition, keeping Benitez’s secret and accepting the uncertainties of faith.

Deep analysis: What makes Conclave movie stand out?

Acting: A masterclass in subtlety and power

• Ralph Fiennes delivers a career-highlight performance as Cardinal Lawrence. His portrayal is a study in restraint, capturing the internal turmoil of a man torn between duty and conscience. Fiennes’s ability to convey doubt and gravitas with a glance or a sigh is nothing short of mesmerizing.
• Stanley Tucci as Bellini brings warmth and wit, while John Lithgow’s Tremblay is deliciously Machiavellian. Isabella Rossellini imbues Sister Agnes with quiet strength, and Sergio Castellitto is chilling as the reactionary Tedesco.
• The ensemble cast is uniformly excellent, each actor carving out distinct personalities within the sea of red robes, making the political intrigue both believable and compelling.

Direction: Edward Berger’s steady hand

• Berger’s style is measured but never dull. He balances the film’s high-stakes drama with moments of introspection and even levity, preventing the narrative from becoming suffocatingly solemn.
• His attention to ritual and detail immerses the viewer in the Vatican’s world, while his willingness to tackle controversial themes-faith, gender, power-gives the film contemporary bite.

Screenplay: Layers of intrigue and humanity

• Peter Straughan’s adaptation of Robert Harris’s novel is both faithful and bold. The script deftly juggles multiple characters and plotlines, keeping the tension taut without resorting to melodrama.
• Dialogues are sharp, intelligent, and often laced with philosophical undertones. The screenplay doesn’t shy away from the Church’s contradictions, exploring both the sacred and the profane.

Cinematography and visuals: Vatican in vivid detail

• Stéphane Fontaine’s cinematography is a highlight, using tight, claustrophobic shots to mirror the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the conclave.
• The production design, led by Suzie Davies, recreates the Vatican with stunning authenticity-no small feat, given that filming in the real Vatican is forbidden. Cinecittà Studios in Rome stood in for the Sistine Chapel, with sets meticulously crafted to evoke both grandeur and secrecy.
• Lisy Christl’s costumes and the lighting design add to the film’s sense of ritual and history, while never feeling like mere pageantry.

Score and sound: Music as spiritual undercurrent

• Volker Bertelmann’s score is haunting and evocative, heightening the film’s tension and emotional stakes without overwhelming the narrative. It’s a soundtrack that lingers-much like the questions the film raises.

Themes: Doubt, power, and the nature of faith

• Conclave movie is more than a political thriller-it’s a meditation on doubt, faith, and institutional power. The film interrogates the gap between religious ideals and human reality, exploring how personal crises can mirror institutional ones.
• Issues of gender, tradition, and reform are woven throughout, with the revelation about Benitez serving as a powerful metaphor for the Church’s need to embrace complexity and ambiguity.
• The film is unafraid to critique the Church’s bureaucracy and patriarchy, yet it stops short of outright cynicism, offering moments of grace and hope.

Pacing and editing: Tension without fatigue

• At just two hours, the film maintains a brisk pace, with each scene feeling essential. Nick Emerson’s editing ensures that the narrative never drags, even as the story delves into philosophical territory.
• The rhythm mirrors the conclave itself-slow burns punctuated by bursts of revelation and crisis.

Reception and box office

• Conclave movie was a critical darling, boasting a 91-93% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 78 on Metacritic.
• It led the 2025 BAFTA nominations with 12 nods, including Best Film, and won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
• At the box office, it grossed over $100 million worldwide, a remarkable feat for a mature drama.
• Critics and audiences alike praised the film’s performances, production values, and thought-provoking narrative, though some found the ending divisive or the themes a touch on-the-nose.

Comparison: Conclave vs. other Vatican thrillers

While The Two Popes is more about personal reconciliation and Angels & Demons leans into action and conspiracy, Conclave movie sits squarely in the realm of political thriller, with a sharper focus on institutional critique and the psychological toll of leadership.

Where to watch Conclave movie

• Streaming: Now available on Amazon Prime Video (included with subscription in most regions), previously on Peacock.
• Physical Media: Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray available for purchase on Amazon.
• VOD: Rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play, and other major platforms.
• Cinemas: Theatrical run concluded in most regions by early 2025.

Final verdict: Is Conclave worth watching?

Absolutely. Conclave is a rare breed-a thriller that respects its audience’s intelligence, a drama that takes faith and doubt seriously, and a showcase for some of the finest acting of the year. Its blend of suspense, philosophical depth, and visual splendour make it a standout not just for 2024, but for years to come.

Rating: 9/10

Pros:

• Outstanding performances (Fiennes is Oscar-worthy)
• Intelligent, layered screenplay
• Gorgeous production and cinematography
• Thought-provoking themes, timely social commentary

Cons:

• Some may find the ending abrupt or divisive
• Heavy subject matter may not appeal to all

In summary: If you’re searching for a film that combines the intrigue of Knives Out with the gravitas of Spotlight and the spiritual wrestling of The Two Popes, Conclave is your answer. It’s a film that lingers, challenges, and-dare I say-might even inspire a little faith in the power of cinema.

Essential information: Technical and contextual details

• Title: Conclave (2024)
• Director: Edward Berger (noted for All Quiet on the Western Front)
• Screenplay: Peter Straughan, based on Robert Harris’s novel Conclave
• Main Cast:
  • Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence
  • Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini
  • John Lithgow as Cardinal Tremblay
  • Sergio Castellitto as Cardinal Tedesco
  • Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes
  • Lucian Msamati as Cardinal Adeyemi
  • Carlos Diehz as Cardinal Benitez
• Genre: Drama, Political Thriller
• Country of Origin: UK/Italy/USA
• Runtime: 120 minutes.
• Distributor: Focus Features
• Release Date: 25 October 2024.
• Based on: The 2016 novel Conclave by Robert Harris.
• Box Office: Over $100 million worldwide.
• Awards: Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, 12 BAFTA nominations including Best Film.
• Streaming: Available on Amazon Prime Video, previously on Peacock.

FAQs

Is Conclave based on a true story?
No, but it is inspired by real Vatican rituals and Robert Harris’s acclaimed novel, which drew on actual conclave procedures and scandals.

Where was Conclave filmed?
Primarily at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, with sets meticulously designed to replicate Vatican interiors.

What are the main themes?
Faith vs. doubt, institutional power, gender and identity, the clash between tradition and reform, and the personal cost of leadership.

Where can I stream Conclave?
Currently on Amazon Prime Video in most regions, with physical and digital purchase options available.

So, is Conclave worth your time? In the words of Cardinal Lawrence: “There is one sin which I have come to fear above all others: certainty. If there was only certainty and no doubt, there would be no mystery. And therefore, no need for faith…”
If you’re ready for a film that embraces the mystery, don’t miss it.