If you are like me, you have been seeing the trailer for Conclave in theatres wondering, how are they going to make an entertaining movie about choosing the next pope? But that is what I get for ever doubting Edward Berger. From the director of 2022’s All Quiet on the Western Front comes Conclave, based on Robert Harris’ book of the same name, the high stakes thrilling political film following a star-studded cast playing Catholic Cardinals, who are all called to Vatican city to choose the next pope. Given its star power, lead by Ralph Fiennes and supported by John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, Carlos Diehz, and Isabella Rossellini, Conclave shines in its performances and its seriously tense script that never stops being anything but edge-of-your-seat entertaining.

When the pope unexpectedly dies, Cardinals from around the world convene in Vatican City to be sequestered as they, together, decide on and elect the next pope. In a dramatization of this act, Conclave follows one Cardinal Lawrence closely, as he leads the others in the voting process for the next leader, and as he attempts to remain partial while still strongly hoping to the group of men will sway one way over the other. After the cardinal’s each place their vote for the new pope, if no man has the majority, then they simply vote again, leaving time in between for all parties involved to reevaluate their strategies, and push their agenda and chosen candidate. A classic tale of choosing between the lesser of two evils, and the conflict of merit in seeing that the best decision is not always the right decision. With pointed commentary on religion in an ever changing world, as well as power, the politics of power, and the role of women in the Catholic church, we watch at the edge of our seats to see who will become the next pope, and if he will use his power to lead the church into the future, or stuff it back into the box of old beliefs.

It is obvious from the start that Conclave would have been nothing without its performances. Fiennes’ has a wonderful ability to use his facial expressions to relay what 1000 words couldn’t, and Berger uses this to his full advantage. Tucci remains his endearing self, and Carlos Diehz, in his first leading role, takes command of the film by the end, representing the hope that we must have in systems that remain broken. Isabella Rossellini steals one scene in particular, destroying many outdated beliefs and the very men who are often given power over her in the church in one fell swoop.

On top of the performances, the screenplay is tight, using every minute to their advantage, moving forward at a brake neck pace while still never letting go of the ever repetitive nature of the ways in which an archaic election like the one of the new pope occurs. Yet each time the men convene, and vote once again, we watch through a new lens. This is because, in short time in between each voting, we see alliances change and power toyed with, all as the men struggle to put aside their own ambitions for the future of the church. It feels wholly relevant, reminiscent of another big election that happens every 4 years, while also maintaining this feeling of something unlike we have ever seen before, in its true story notion of literally locking out the outside world as an election takes place that will impact the very world it is locked away from. It takes liberties where it makes sense, but still leaves me feeling like I did, very much, experience what really goes on within the walls of the Vatican City.

I was a little bit hesitant about Conclave, given it being advertised as a thrilling story about Cardinals choosing the next pope. But where I was wrong was in assuming that this election is anything but tense and thrilling. Using one of the world’s oldest, and often most criticized, systems, the Catholic church, to discuss power, politics, and change, director Edward Berger has crafted something so human in a process that feels so monotonous. Between the performances and the screenplay, Conclave flies by, leaving you gasping throughout at its unexpected turns and takedowns throughout.

Conclave was screened at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and will be released in theatres in Canada on October 25, 2024. Image courtesy of TIFF.