Last Updated on October 25, 2024 by
Conclave is a 2024 Thriller Movie directed by Edward Berger, and written by Peter Straughan, and Robert Harris. The film stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, with a runtime of 2 hours, and was released on October 25, 2024.
The movie is Conclave, which is a psychological thriller, directed by Edward Berger, famous for All Quiet on the Western Front. There are several well-known actors featured in the movie including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. They are all well-known for their dramatics, and strong performances, hence the mere fact that they have been cast together on the big screen is tantalizing enough. Still, the story itself is quite an intriguing one, this is mysterious, with elements of humor, and unexpected moments.
Based on a book by Robert Harris published in 2016, the plot of the film takes place in the Vatican, one of the most mysterious institutions in the world, which organizes one of the most secret events of the Catholic Church – the conclave of the new Pope. When the pope passes away, all the cardinals, who are high-ranking officials of the church, come together to form what is referred to as a ‘conclave.’ They remain sequestered until they have decided on who the next pope should be. The only time people are aware that a decision has been made is when white smoke comes out of the Vatican. Whatever happens behind closed doors remains unknown to people, but this movie shows the audience what goes on behind those doors of secrecy and serious negotiations.
Cardinal Thomas Lawrence is the protagonist of the movie who is portrayed by Ralph Fiennes. Not only is he responsible for coordinating all the proceedings in the conclave, but he is a kind of a sleuth looking for skeletons in the closets of other cardinals. Such secrets could influence who the next pope would be. Whenever such rumors arise, he believes that it is within his prerogative to uncover the facts even without the mandate to do so.
Other cardinals include Aldo Bellini, portrayed by Stanley Tucci, who is described as composed and liberal, tolerant of numerous changes within the church such as allowing women to assume greater roles within the Catholic community. He’s a favorite for the pope at first, but he’s up against Tedesco (played by Sergio Castellitto), who is very traditional and wants the church to turn back to the past where latin was used in mass and any other forms of religion were considered as evil. There is Tremblay (John Lithgow), who is questionable and too nice for his good; and Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), who is angry and wants ‘it’ unbearably badly. A young, unknown cardinal named Benitez (Carlos Diehz) also enters the mix, which only adds to the mysterious nature of the group.
These cardinals are not only religious representatives but real people with their interests, anger, and sins. The discussions become more intense as everyone starts to get defensive. Cardinal Lawrence tries to keep the conclave respectful, but as more shocking truths are revealed, he’s forced to question what’s more important: whistle-blowing to curb corrupt practices or maintain the decorum of the processes.
Of course, one of the most intriguing thematic aspects of the movie is how it portrays the inner conflict within the Catholic Church. Religion and personal beliefs are pitted against practical political reality. For instance, when Aldo Bellini says that families should not have ten children, he is suggesting the rights of birth control, but he cannot speak of birth control since it is prohibited by the Vatican.
Instead of portraying these cardinals as mere influential men, the film presents them as people with virtues and vices, like everybody else. Bruce Willis portrays an investigative journalist named Jack, who infiltrates the array to unveil the truth about the Vatican, and Isabella Rossellini is Sister Agnes, a nun whose significance is reduced to a mere prop for the cardinals, but she is one of the most amusing and witty characters of the movie. Being a woman, she is expected to remain quiet and ensure that she loses everything to the male figure but she goes ahead and gives a speech that leaves the cardinals dumbstruck.
At its core, Conclave isn’t just about secrets or sins—it’s about what happens after all the dust settles. Once the conclave ends, who will the cardinals become with the choices they’ve made? The movie’s final moments focus on Lawrence and the heavy burden of the decisions he’s made. In the end, Conclave makes the audience think not only about the characters but about ourselves and the decisions we face in our own lives.
Conclave 2024 Parents Guide Age Rating
Conclave is rated R by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for thematic material and smoking
Language: Though the movie does not portray the use of vulgar language, there could be scenes where characters argue with each other aggressively. There is no emphasis on obscene language; however, the stress on the topics may involve the use of forceful language.
Violence: There are not so many scenes with physical aggression but the film is full of psychological thrills and dialogues. The characters often argue with each other and try to manipulate the situation to get control over the Church. This may create tension and distress in the viewers, particularly when betrayal or deception takes place among the characters. The struggle for power between the cardinals could bring an aspect of mind control or force, but there is no sign of physical force.
Sexual Content: However, there is no direct depiction of sexually explicit scenes in the movie. However, there are some more or less direct references to personal sins and sins that could relate to sexual misconduct and the field. The film may include such topics as secret vices or other concealed sins or scandals but not with scenes of gross depiction.
Drug/ Substance Use: Yes, some of the scenes in the film depict smoking, and characters are depicted smoking throughout the movie as it is consistent with the dark theme of the film. Smoking is also consistent with character representation and the smoking scenes do not depict positive messages, but it is used as part of the aesthetic representation.
Age Suitability: The movie is rated R because of its thematic material, religious moral questions, intense debate, and smoking. While it does not contain graphic violence or scenes of actual sex, the equally graphic and disturbing mental game, ethical dilemmas, and realistic twists make this movie more suitable for adult or mature teenagers, who are able to comprehend the issues presented on screen.
