German director Edward Berger thrust himself into the Hollywood spotlight with All Quiet on the Western Front, a surprise streaming hit from 2022 which won four Academy Awards including best international feature.  He’s followed that with Conclave.  It marks his first English-language film and has been adapted from a 2016 fictional novel from British author Robert Harris.

Given the ritual and secrecy which surrounds papal elections, it feels like the perfect subject for a drama-thriller.  It opens with the death of the reigning pope and his close confidant, Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes), has been tasked with leading the traditional conclave.  Cardinals will travel from around the globe, be sequestered inside the Vatican City’s Sistine Chapel, and vote until one of the Cardinals has the required two-thirds majority to be elected as the new Pope.

Knowing audiences will have a heightened curiosity about the conclave’s inner workings, the screenplay of Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) is heavy on process.  We see cardinals write their choice on a simple white sheet of paper and place it inside a silver urn.  We observe three appointees count the votes publicly, tie them with string, and burn them in an incinerator.  We watch the men have dinner together while being served by eavesdropping nuns.  For those interested in knowing how the world’s most powerful Catholic is chosen, the film is an eye-opener.

A narrative is required, and it’s largely centred on the power struggle in selecting a new Pope.  You might want to think it’s all nice and ho-hum given they are men of God but there are several contenders and they each have different views about the direction the Church should take.  Some want to continue its progressive evolution (however slow) while some wish to return to a more strict, traditional Catholic doctrine.

It gets a little too “twisty” at times (I’m not sure I bought into the ending and events which take place outside which we never see) but Conclave is an engaging film that holds your attention from start to finish.  Just like a Knives Out-style whodunit, you’ll be speculating throughout about who’s playing who, and which Cardinal will outmanoeuvre the others and don the papal robes.  It also has something to say about “doubt” and the role of religion in society.  Berger maintains a serious tone but isn’t afraid to throw in moments of unexpected levity to make key points (not always flattering for the Church).

The music, cinematography, and production values are superb with Berger and his crew doing a stellar job in convincing us this was shot inside the Vatican City’s walls (it wasn’t).  I love the focus on small details.  Ralph Fiennes (Schinder’s List) is terrific in the lead role and, without going too heavy on dialogue, deftly illustrates the stress of leading the conclave while also creating a sense of mystery about his own ambitions.

Touted as an awards season contender, Conclave has a lot to offer.