YNOT at the Movies

It's no secret that the Vatican operates under plenty of secrecy. That's especially the case when it begins to elect a new Pope after it announces to the world: "The Pope is dead. The throne is vacant!" Based on Robert Harris's 2016 novel, the director Edward Berger's cinematic narrative "Conclave" (USA 2023 | 120 min.) delves into the secretive process to elect a pope and masterfully crafts a captivating political thriller.

As the film begins, Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is summoned into the Vatican to the suddenly dead Pope's (Bruno Novelli) bedside. As the dean of the College of Cardinals, Lawrence takes on the daunting task of overseeing the papal election at the conference inside locked doors of the Sistine Chapel.

Cardinals from all over the world arrive at the Vatican, and the not-so-subtle power maneuvers to advance their own agendas quickly begin to unfold. Even though the liberal-minded Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci) of the Vatican encourages Cardinal Lawrence to enter the race, Lawrence faces his own crisis of faith. The conservative Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) of Venice wants to roll back the progress made by the late Pope, while power-hungry Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow) of Montreal plays repugnant tricks to bolster his chance. Ambitious Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) of Nigeria hopes to become the first African pope in history. To top it off, the sudden appearance of a secretly appointed Cardinal Benítez (Carlos Diehz) of Kabul shocks the college. These cardinals are not just spiritual leaders, they are also political operators.

Outside the chapel, people anxiously await the white smoke that signals a new Pope's election, while the looming threat of a terrorist attack adds tension. Inside, Cardinal Lawrence uncovers secrets about the dead Pope and his fellow cardinals, as the suspenseful rounds of voting continue, reflecting the outcome of each political battle.

The German director Edward Berger proved himself a master storyteller with last year's Best International Feature Oscar winner "All Quiet on the Western Front" (2023). In "Conclave," he creates a thriller even more intense than a wild murder mystery. This film is sure to be a front-runner in this year's Oscar race.

From the atmospheric sets painstakingly recreated at Cinecittà Studios to the tension-filled scenes in the Vatican, Berger pulls viewers into the cloistered world of the Catholic Church. The majestic halls of the Sistine Chapel are bathed in a somber, golden light, contrasting with the vibrant red robes of the cardinals, creating a visually stunning metaphor for the gravity and secrecy of their deliberations.

At the heart of "Conclave" is Ralph Fiennes's nuanced portrayal of Cardinal Lawrence, a man torn between his duties to the Church and his doubts about its future. His interactions with fellow contenders for the papacy are the emotional and intellectual core of the film.

The composer Volker Bertelmann's score, built around minimal but effective strings and haunting tones, mirrors the rising tension as secrets and alliances are revealed. The music, blending modern soundscapes with the ancient, traditional world of the Vatican, amplifies the film's themes of faith, power, and doubt.

However, as if the spiritual and political drama weren't enough, the story adds a few unnecessary twists that can feel preachy. Despite this, the film offers a rare glimpse into the machinations behind the world's oldest institution, all while keeping the audience on edge with the intense suspense of a papal election—which turns out to be far more gripping than any U.S. presidential race.

"Conclave" opens on Friday, October 25, 2024.