‘Conclave’ Explores The Politics Inside The Church

German director Edward Berger blazed onto the international scene with “All Quiet on the Western Front,” an adaptation of the seminal novel that swept the Academy Awards in 2023. His latest film, “Conclave,” is his first primarily in English and is sure to be a contender for next year’s Oscars.

 Based on the 2016 novel of the same name, “Conclave” begins immediately after the death of the Pope. As tends to be the procedure with stories involving the transfer of power, a vacuum emerges that sees many aspiring hopefuls make their case for why they should assume the papacy. It is the task of Cardinal Lawrence (“Harry Potter” star Ralph Fiennes) to assemble the College of Cardinals for a secluded conclave during which the next Pope will be elected.

 What follows is a tense and entertaining political thriller, full of scenery chewing from the well-crafted ensemble cast. It’s unexpectedly dynamic, playing out like a whodunnit without any obvious crime. Fiennes is joined by Stanley Tucci (“The Hunger Games”), John Lithgow (“Shrek”), Sergio Castellitto (“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”), Isabella Rossellini (“Blue Velvet”), and many more. Each character represents one method of belief driving their motivations within the Church. The film (and the original novel) takes cues from reality and portrays the Catholic Church as a battleground in danger of being torn apart from the inside by conflicting ideologies and fickle political beliefs.

 A major through-line in “Conclave” is the danger of certainty and hubris, and that is one of the things that make this film relevant to today’s political climate. Even if (like myself) you don’t necessarily subscribe to a particular faith, “Conclave” works very simply on the basis of being a compelling drama, and even though they are the highest-ranking members of the Church, the film reminds us that the Cardinals are still human — therefore they are susceptible to the flaws inherent to all humanity. A crisis of faith on the part of our protagonist, Cardinal Lawrence, is only the icing on the cake.

From a fully-replicated Sistine Chapel (the production couldn’t get permission to film in the real one) to memorable visual imagery, “Conclave” is firing on all cylinders. The script is electric, the cast are all in top form — expect nominations at next year’s Academy Awards — and it’s shot with detail-oriented precision by Berger, who is very quickly proving to be a master of the craft. Inject a striking musical score by Berger’s composer Volker Bertelmann, and you have a certified masterpiece on your hands.

It’s no coincidence this is being released so close to one of the most consequential elections in our nation’s history. Go out and vote, and then go watch “Conclave.” You won’t be disappointed.

Read movie and TV reviews and more by Rowan Wood at knockonwoodfilm.com.