Time: 120 Minutes
Age Rating: M – Sexual references
Cast:
Ralph Fiennes as Thomas Cardinal Lawrence
Stanley Tucci as Aldo Cardinal Bellini
John Lithgow as Joseph Cardinal Tremblay
Sergio Castellitto as Goffredo Cardinal Tedesco
Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes
Director: Edward Berger

Conclave looked intriguing based on the premise and the trailer; a thriller about the election of a new Pope starring Ralph Fiennes, which is also generating some Oscar buzz. While I’m not sure about its awards chances, I really enjoyed it.

Conclave is first and foremost a political mystery thriller, and is entertaining as such. There are plenty of twists and turns and a compelling mystery. It keeps things engaging, and the well-constructed screenplay keeps things tight, without a dull moment. Before watching, I have seen some descriptions of the movie as trashy or camp. I would say that Conclave takes things seriously but is also appropriately heightened and has humour sprinkled throughout. I personally think it succeeds more at being a pulpy thriller than a deep movie about religion or faith. There are certainly themes to be seen here, including doubt, and Ralph Fiennes is established as having a crisis of faith. However, it doesn’t go very deep on those aspects, it feels a little underdeveloped, and doesn’t have much of a payoff.

This movie has a great ensemble of performances. Ralph Fiennes is amazing in the lead role, while Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, Carlos Diehz and Isabella Rossellini deliver some good work and get their chances to shine in supporting roles.

Edward Berger, who made the recent All Quiet on the Western Front, directs this very well. It’s visually striking with great cinematography, and the production design and costumes are top notch. The sound design is also fantastic, and the score from Volker Bertelmann (who also provided the music for Berger’s last film) fits very well and is appropriately dramatic, tense, and effectively uneasy. 

Conclave is an entertaining, engaging, twisty and well directed mystery political thriller with excellent performances.