Conclave

When the Pope dies suddenly, Cardinal Lawrence is given the responsibility of overseeing the Vatican's secretive election process to choose his successor. Confined with a handful of influential cardinals, Lawrence has to manage formal rituals, personal rivalries and long-held grudges while the conclave proceeds. Tension rises as alliances form and fracture, backroom deals are hinted at, and the weight of centuries of tradition presses on everyone in the room. As Lawrence balances loyalty, duty and personal doubt, he senses a deeper scheme that could destabilize the church, and he must weigh how far to go to protect the institution without betraying his own conscience.

Directed by Edward Berger and created by Peter Straughan and Robert Harris, Conclave premiered in 2024 and assembles a cast led by Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini in a tightly focused ensemble drama.

The film had a focused theatrical release with box office totals that were modest and not widely publicized. It reached most viewers through specialty screenings, festival exposure and critical attention rather than through blockbuster-level revenue.

Conclave's tight, chamber-drama format and moral tension generated discussion beyond standard reviews. Critics and viewers debated its portrayal of clerical power and secrecy, and the movie has been cited in conversations about how modern cinema represents institutions and authority, especially in pieces comparing it to other political or religious thrillers.

Overall reception tended toward the positive side, reflected in a user vote average of 7.192/10 from 3113 votes, with many reviewers singling out performances by Fiennes and Tucci. Commentators noted the film's focus on power, conscience, secrecy and institutional survival, and praised its ability to keep ethical questions at the center while sustaining steady suspense throughout.