Conclave: A Thrilling Political Thriller About the Election of the Next Pope

‘Conclave’ Has Emerged as Contender for Best Picture

In just over two weeks, Focus Features will bring audiences on a thrilling ride with their new film, Conclave, a political thriller directed by Edward Berger. The movie is set in the Vatican after the death of the Pope, as an election is about to take place to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Conclave is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris, which explores the secretive process behind the selection of the next pope and the interconnected relationships between the members of the papal conclave. The story follows Cardinal Lawrence, played by two-time Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes, as he leads the conclave and uncovers a conspiracy that could shake the foundations of the Catholic Church.

The film also features a star-studded cast, including Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Lucian Msamati, Carlos Diehz, Sergio Castellito, and others.

With a 91% approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes and a 9/10 from Collider’s Jason Gorber, Conclave has emerged as a contender for Best Picture. The film’s stunning cinematography and Fiennes’ outstanding performance are particularly praised, making him a strong candidate for Best Actor.

For director Edward Berger, Conclave was a passion project that he fell in love with, and he was already planning to make it before working on All Quiet on the Western Front.

"The good thing is that I decided to do Conclave long before Quiet. I’ve developed this film with Tessa Ross, the producer, and Peter Straughan, the writer, for about five to six years," he said. "I think Conclave came just before Quiet, and it just took a little bit longer to come together. Then during the campaigning for All Quiet for the Oscar, we shot it. So, actually, when I went to the Oscars, I’d just wrapped the movie and I was kind of happy that I already made up my mind what the next movie is. I didn’t feel so much weight about it because I knew I was in love with it. I knew I wanted to do it, and it wasn’t laden, it wasn’t muddied by all the noise around All Quiet."

Conclave will premiere in theaters in the U.S. on October 25. Check out the new trailer in the player above.

Release Date: November 1, 2024
Director: Edward Berger
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Lucian Msamati, Carlos Diehz, Sergio Castellito, Brian F. O’Byrne, Merab Ninidze, Jacek Koman, Rony Kramer, Joseph Mydell
Runtime: 120 minutes

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FAQs:

Q: What is the plot of Conclave?
A: The film follows the story of a conclave to elect the next pope after the death of the previous one.

Q: Who stars in the film?
A: The film features a star-studded cast, including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Lucian Msamati, Carlos Diehz, Sergio Castellito, Brian F. O’Byrne, Merab Ninidze, Jacek Koman, Rony Kramer, and Joseph Mydell.

Q: Is Conclave a contender for Best Picture?
A: Yes, the film has emerged as a contender for Best Picture, with a 91% approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes and a 9/10 from Collider’s Jason Gorber.