Conclave Review (2024): A Vatican Thriller With More Than Just Incense and Robes

Last updated on 2025-12-29

Genre(s) – Thriller, Mystery, Drama
Director – Edward Berger
Writer – Peter Straughan
Main Cast – Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini
Runtime – 120 Minutes
My Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆

Where To Watch/Stream Conclave

This isn’t just about selecting a pope – it’s about power, legacy, and the hidden battles within the Church.

I do love me a Ralph Fiennes film…

Plot Summary of Conclave (Spoiler-Free)

Conclave is set in the Vatican after the death of the sitting pope, which throws the College of Cardinals into action as they gather to select his replacement, and the movie mostly takes place inside the walls of the Vatican, in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a retreat-like facility where the cardinals are locked away from the outside world.

They’re here for one reason – to vote in a new pope, following centuries-old rituals and, of course, the all-important papal election process.

But here’s the twist – this isn’t just about voting – it’s about the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that happens when power is up for grabs. As the cardinals begin their deliberations, each one reveals their ambitions, hidden agendas, and desires for the future of the Church.

Think Game of Thrones, but with more incense and fewer dragons,. where you’ve got ambitious cardinals trying to sway votes, alliances forming and breaking, and long-hidden secrets bubbling to the surface.

The movie plays out almost like a political thriller set in a religious setting, with all the intrigue and backstabbing you’d expect when the stakes are this high.

Is someone trying to sabotage the election? Is there foul play in the pope’s death? And, perhaps most importantly, who will ultimately be elected to lead the Catholic Church?

Conclave Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Conclave is a pretty solid experience overall, and one I quite enjoyed, and it’s definitely not what youwill expect when you think about a movie based on the selection of a pope.

Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow are all incredible, and they fully commit to their roles, where Fiennes in particular is brilliant – his portrayal of a cardinal who has ambition, but also struggles with the weight of the job, is really good, and every time he’s on screen, you can feel the pressure mounting, and it really drives the emotional stakes of the film.

Then we have the beautiful settting, of the Vatican, where it would have been easy to make it look like a boring old place of worship with grand buildings and long hallways, but the director, Edward Berger, brings something quite fresh here.

The visuals are incredibly striking, with the grand processions of cardinals in their red robes, the cloistered hallways, and the atmosphere of secrecy that pervades the entire movie, as it all builds this tension that feels almost alive, where you feel there’s something hanging over these people – like a ticking clock, counting down to something inevitable.

But I will admit, the ending is where Conclave stumbles a bit, and without giving too much away, it all feels a little too convenient, and it’s one of those endings that seems to force a modern-day political commentary into the mix, and while I understand why the filmmakers chose that direction, it’s just a bit much.

It’s almost like they decided to wrap things up with a neat bow, when what was working so well before was the uncertainty and rawness of the situation, and you’ll either love it or feel like you’ve been hit over the head with a hammer of relevance.

Despite that, Conclave is still a good watch, and while it’s one of those films that might not blow you away with its plot twists, but it’ll keep you engaged with its strong performances and detailed world-building.

It’s smart, it’s classy, and it takes its subject matter seriously without getting lost in overly preachy moral lessons, but just be prepared for an ending that might leave you scratching your head a little bit.

What I Liked (And What I Didn’t Like)

Pros

Strong Cast

The performances in Conclave are great, particulary Ralph Fiennes who leads the charge.

Intriguing Political Drama

Forget what you think you know about the Vatican. Conclave takes you into the closed doors of the Church with a surprising amount of political intrigue.

Visuals and Cinematography

The visual style is sleek, clean, and efficient, but it also emphasizes the gravity of the setting, geaturing some gorgeous shots, while the cinematography by Stéphane Fontaine creates an atmosphere that perfectly matches the stakes of the election.

Tension Throughout

The pacing is tight enough, and the film never dragged for me.

Cons

The Ending

While I get that the filmmakers wanted to make a statement about the modern world, the ending felt a bit too convenient.

Predictable Plot Twists

Some of the plot twists feel a bit predictable, and it was easy to spot who’s going to backstab whom and when the next revelation will come.

A Bit Heavy Handed at Times

There are moments where it feels like the film is telling you what it’s about instead of letting you figure it out.

Missed Opportunities for Deeper Exploration

The Vatican is a complex institution, but the film doesn’t really delve into its darker side, as it keeps the focus tightly on the election process, and less on the opportunity to explore the more controversial aspects of the Church.

Who Might Like Conclave?

Fans of political dramas and thrillers will definitely enjoy Conclave. The Vatican setting gives it a unique twist, but really, it’s a movie about ambition, power, and the ruthless fight to get to the top. If you’re the type who loves high-stakes dramas with sharp dialogue and moral gray areas, Conclave should be on your radar.

Who Might Dislike Conclave?

If you’re someone who doesn’t care about religious institutions or politics, Conclave might not be for you. Don’t expect much fast-paced action, so if you need constant thrills and explosions, this will probably feel like a slow burn. And if you’re looking for a simple, straightforward plot, be warned – it’s all about the tension between the characters, and that’s where most of the drama lies.

Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Conclave?

In the end, I’d say Conclave is an interesting, well-crafted film that takes a subject most people would overlook and turns it into a solid political thriller.

The performances are top-notch, the setting is gorgeous, and the stakes are high – perfect ingredients for a gripping watch, and if you’re into political dramas or religious history, this one’s worth checking out.

Conclave Trailer

Conclave Film Facts

• The film is based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel, though it diverges from the book in some dramatic plot developments, especially the ending.
• Filming took place in Rome and Cinecittà Studios, where the Sistine Chapel was painstakingly recreated
• Lucian Msamati, who plays Adeyemi, is the first actor of African descent to portray a papabile in a major film.
• The film won four BAFTAs
• Ralph Fiennes personally consulted with a former Vatican official to prepare for his role as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, focusing on how ecclesiastical figures carry themselves in private.
• The Vatican reportedly issued an internal memo discouraging clerics from commenting on the film, though no formal condemnation was made – unlike previous films with religious themes.

Simon Leasher

A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I have watched many films from around the world in many different genres, yet I still normally always come back to trashy slasher horror films when in doubt. More

And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.