Conclave
Family FavoritePG

Conclave

What happens behind these walls will change everything.

2024 • 120 min • Drama · Thriller

Synopsis

After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with managing the covert and ancient ritual of electing a new one. Sequestered in the Vatican with the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders until the process is complete, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could lead to its downfall.

Our family guide

Best from age 12
82
Movie Knight Score
3517 reviews
  • 86 Reviewers · 7 · 72%
  • 72 Audience · 3510 · 28%

After the Pope's unexpected death, Cardinal Lawrence oversees the secret ritual to elect a new leader. Sequestered in the Vatican with powerful church figures, he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the Catholic Church. This introspective thriller explores faith, power, and secrets within the sacred halls.

Violence & peril
2/10
Language
1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking
1/10
Romance & sensuality
0/10
Scary moments
3/10

Heads up

  • Discussions of a past sexual abuse scandal within the church.
  • Themes of doubt and faith are explored through dialogue.
  • A few intense, confrontational arguments among cardinals.

What it models well

  • Integrity and honesty
  • Ethical leadership
  • Seeking truth

Talk about it after

  • What makes a good leader, especially a spiritual one?
  • How do organizations handle difficult truths and change?
  • The balance between tradition and progress.

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Conclave. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

Stream

  • YouTube TV
  • Starz Amazon Channel
  • Starz
  • Starz Apple TV Channel

Links go straight to each service. Some are affiliate links that support Movie Knight at no cost to you. Availability data by JustWatch via TMDB.

Top billed cast

Director: Edward Berger • Crew: Peter Straughan

Trailers & clips

Cardinal Benítez Speech Following Car Bomb

Peter Straughan 'Conclave' Best Adapted Screenplay Press Room Speech | 97th Oscars (2025)

Writer Peter Straughan Dives Deep with Sean Evans on Stanley Kubrick & More

CONCLAVE’s Carlos Diehz: Ralph Fiennes Is a Leader | TIFF

Conclave wins the BAFTA for Adapted Screenplay | BAFTA Film Awards 2025

Conclave wins Best British Film to Edward Berger's delight | BAFTA Film Awards 2025

Conclave wins Best Film, Edward Berger looks back on how the film came to be | BAFTA

Conclave takes home the BAFTA for Editing | BAFTA Film Awards 2025

Reviewer notes

Recommended

I am a simple man good movie

Not recommended

The ending was absolutely ridiculous, clearly designed to cater to a modern audience while pushing propaganda. Although I'm not Catholic, I find it insulting that an otherwise enjoyable film was overshadowed by this audacious shift in tone.

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers

Conclave is a film for those willing to immerse themselves fully. It's a slow-burning, almost hypnotic narrative where every word, every pause holds weight. There's no attempt to shock or force drama here. This is a measured, deeply atmospheric experience. Ralph Fiennes delivers one of the finest performances of his career. His character is like a wall with cracks—you peer into them and sense the storm brewing ...

Recommended

When the Pope dies, it falls to the Dean of the College of Cardinals, "Cardinal Lawrence" (Ralph Fiennes) to organise the conclave that will elect his successor. His own personal preference is for the liberal "Bellini" (Stanley Tucci) but there is also plenty of support elsewhere. "Adeyami" (Lucian Msamati) could be the first pontiff from Africa; "Tremblay" (John Lithgow) is an ambitious American and "Tedesco" (Se...

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers

<em>'Conclave'</em> has a lot to enjoy about it, even if it is slightly overlong. The performances are its biggest strength, which is an element that is critical to get correct for talky films like this - and thankfully this one does get it right. Ralph Fiennes is terrific, you know what you're going to get from Fiennes and I mean that entirely positively. John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, Lucian Msamati and Sergio ...

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/conclave-review-a-riveting-vatican-thriller-destined-for-year-end-accolades/ "Conclave surpasses expectations for a mystery-thriller set in the Vatican's inner sanctum. It's a focused exploration of characters shaped by religious convictions and personal ambitions, offering a fascinating reflection on morality, faith, and power. Edward Berger's techn...

Recommended

It’s more than a little frustrating when a film seemingly has all of the elements needed to make it work except the one that’s most crucial, the one that enables a production to brilliantly succeed or doom it to failure – the story. Such is the case with director Edward Berger’s latest, the much-anticipated, much-celebrated drama about the convening of a papal conclave to select a new pope. From a technical standp...

Fan reviews

Sign in to rate and review

Be the first fan to review this.

Gallery

Conclave stillConclave stillConclave stillConclave stillConclave stillConclave stillConclave stillConclave still

Details

More like this