Briar Black / 05 May 2025 / Categories: Movie and TV Shows, Movie

Conclave a whole lot of cigarettes and corruption

A film for our time

At the 97th Academy Awards in March, 2025 Conclave directed by Edward Berger received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, yet won only one for Best Adapted Screenplay, Ralph Fiennes Cardinal Lawrence and Isabella Rossellini sister Agnes both nominated for best actor and best supporting actress losing out to Adrian Brody for the Mentalist and Zoe Saldana for Emilia Perez.

The poor show at the main event in Hollywood doesn’t detract from how magnificent this film actually is and don’t be put off if you not religious, it’s more a film about ambition and corruption, a film about human nature than it is about the actual holy Roman Catholic Church.

Whilst unravelling the mystery and tradition around the sequestering of cardinals to ballot and elect a new pontiff this film whilst having a religious theme is aptly described as a political thriller. It touches much more on power and ambition, common themes in every organisation.

The contrast say between a film like Wolf Of Wall Street, or Vice where the suggestion of corruption is expected in the Church it is certainly less palatable, which makes this film gripping and engrossing. Throughout the film we see people presenting as one thing but actually turning out to be something else just like in the Church’s historic abuse perpetuated and subsequently covered up, a reality in the film, not overlooked.

The sets are absolutely breathtaking and some of the cinematography is that of epic proportion when it comes to film making.

A star studded ensemble cast with more well known faces than I can remember, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci along with a first time performance in film from actor and architect, Carlos Diehz, his breakout role as Cardinal Benitez was truly spectacular.

Two hours absolutely flew by and you’ll never imagine the twist in a million years.

I knew very little about the film when I watched it. I didn’t read any reviews I went in pretty blind hoping it wasn’t too religious. FYI This film is more about reality than dogma. And I think this would be the best way as the ending is so unexpected and original it would be easy to uncover by accident before watching.

No spoilers here.

All in all a very deep, thoughtful and thought provoking film with strong messaging that may leave you with a changed perspective, regardless of faith on what being holy and human at the same time actually means.

My advice for non believers don’t be put off by the theme, it’s an incredible film with a woven layered story that keeps you guessing who of the assembled company will secure the position of the most globally recognised individual in the World. Right until the very end.

And if you are wondering if Cardinals are allowed to vote for themselves, a question in our house, if the film is accurate the answer is yes.