Ralph Fiennes's Buzzy Papal Thriller 'Conclave' Lands November Release Date
Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence in "Conclave"
(Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features.)
For all that it's been around for thousands of years at this point, the institution of the Catholic Church is still fascinating to many people. The Church has centuries of tradition behind it, from the colors of the vestments priests wear on particular Sundays to the prayers that will feel familiar no matter what country you're attending Mass in. The ritual of it all is both moving and powerful for those who practice the Faith and those who don't. (It's also why we get so many movies about exorcisms, honestly.) Buzzy thriller Conclave aims to take moviegoers into the heart of one of the Church's most secretive and mysterious bits of bureaucracy: The election of a new Pope.
This takes place during a conclave, the event from which this film takes its title. During this process, the Church's College of Cardinals, which is made up of members from all over the world, is secluded within the Vatican and not allowed to leave until they have chosen a new bishop of Rome. (Fun trivia fact: that's technically the Pope's other job title.)
As with many Church-related ceremonies, the voting process can be long and complicated, often involving multiple ballots over several days. (This is a vast improvement, primarily because of reforms introduced after the conclave of 1268, which lasted nearly three years.) Adapted from Robert Harris's book of the same name, Conclave hails from director Edward Berger, whose 2022 adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning Best International Feature.
The film stars Ralph Fiennes (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar) as Cardinal Lawrence, who must oversee this selection process after the Pope suddenly dies from a mysterious illness. But once the Church’s most powerful leaders are locked behind closed doors, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of The Church.
Alongside Fiennes, Conclave also stars Stanley Tucci (Inside Man) as the progressive Cardinal Bellini who’s aiming to secure the papacy and John Lithgow (The Crown) as his main (more conservative) competition. Cardinal Tremblay. Isabella Rossellini (Julia) plays Sister Agnes, a nun whose role in the papal election turns out to be vital. Other members of the ensemble cast include Lucian Msamati (Gangs of London), Brían F. O’Byrne (Three Women), Merab Ninidze (Homeland), Thomas Loibl (Annie), Sergio Castellitto (The General’s Men), and newcomer Carlos Diehz.
Written by Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Conclave is directed by Berger, with Stéphane Fontaine (A Prophet) as the film’s cinematographer and Suzie Davies (Saltburn) as the production designer. All Quiet on the Western Front composer Volker Bertelmann reunites with Berger to score the film.
Conclave made its world premiere at this year’s Telluride Film Festival and will screen at several other major Fall movie festivals, including Toronto. It will be released in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles on November 1, 2024, before opening wide on November 8.
