Conclave (2024)

Detailed Summary

Cardinal Lawrence’s Burden

Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), Dean of the College, is entrusted with leading a conclave after the sudden death of the Pope. A heavy responsibility that drives the entire narrative.

The Frontrunners & Hidden Power

Four main candidates emerge: Bellini (Stanley Tucci, progressive), Tremblay (John Lithgow, ambitious moderate), Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto, ultra‑conservative), and Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati, traditionalist). Each carries ideological and personal baggage that puts their candidacy at risk.

Uncovering Corruption

Lawrence, aided by Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini), learns Tremblay bribed cardinals for votes. Bellini asks Lawrence to destroy evidence—revealing even liberal camps can be corrupt—prompting the documents’ exposure and Tremblay’s downfall.

Terror Strikes & Moral Crossroads

During the sixth vote, a terrorist bombing outside the conclave damages the Sistine Chapel and erupts across Europe. Tedesco calls for a religious war. Benitez (hidden candidate) counters with a plea for peace, justice, and moral clarity from lived conflict zones.

The Final Ballot & Benitez Emerges

On the seventh ballot, Cardinal Benitez, previously unknown, wins overwhelmingly. He chooses the papal name Innocent XIV and immediately delivers a message of unity and moral renewal.

Movie Ending

After his election, Lawrence is pulled aside by O’Malley and learns Benitez almost underwent a hysterectomy. Confronting Benitez, he discovers the newly elected Pope is intersex—born with both male and female anatomy (uterus and ovaries) but identifies as male. Benitez explains he chose not to remove his female organs, saying, “I am what God made me,” and emphasizing that existing between certainties gives him unique perspective for leadership. Lawrence honors the Pope’s request for discretion, leaving the audience with a vision of a Church on the cusp of inclusive transformation. The final moments show Lawrence observing joyful, chatting young nuns in the Vatican courtyard—a symbol of hope and generational shift.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Conclave does not feature any additional scenes during or after the credits. The credits run for approximately seven minutes and carry no secret messages or stingers.

Type of Movie

A political‑thriller drama set within the Vatican, combining spiritual, ideological conflicts and psychological intrigue—like a mix of The Two Popes, Knives Out, and 12 Angry Men played out in papal robes.

Cast

• Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence
• Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini
• John Lithgow as Cardinal Tremblay
• Sergio Castellitto as Cardinal Tedesco
• Lucian Msamati as Cardinal Adeyemi
• Carlos Diehz as Cardinal Benitez / Pope Innocent XIV
• Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Volker Bertelmann, Oscar‑winner for All Quiet on the Western Front. He used innovative instruments like a Cristal Baschet and prepared piano techniques, delivering a sound that felt modern, atmospheric, and suspense‑charged. His music earned a nomination for Best Original Score at the Oscars.

Filming Locations

Principal photography took place in Rome, including Cinecittà Studios, with carefully reconstructed versions of the Sistine Chapel and Domus Sanctae Marthae. The chapel set was designed to feel more prison‑like, amplifying tension. Costume research included visits to historic Vatican tailors and museums in Rome.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards 2025:
  – Best Adapted Screenplay (Peter Straughan) – Won
  – Nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Fiennes), Best Supporting Actress (Rossellini), Best Original Score, Editing, Production & Costume Design.
• AACTA International Awards: Best Actor (Fiennes) Won; Supporting Actor and Screenplay Nominated
• AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Palm Springs Ensemble Award, etc., with multiple wins and nominations across ensemble, direction, writing, and individual performances.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Director Edward Berger and writer Straughan consulted with actual cardinals and toured the Vatican during the screenplay development.
• Carlos Diehz was cast as Benitez specifically to leave him unfamiliar to audiences, heightening the twist’s impact.
• Sister Agnes’s acting revealed as pivotal in influencing the cardinals’ decisions—Isabella Rossellini’s presence subtly shapes the narrative.
• Numerous visual rituals—robes, chanting, doors clicking—were choreographed to create a claustrophobic, ritualistic atmosphere.

Inspirations and References

Based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel, the film retains much of the plot and core dialogues but adapts characters (nationalities, language) for cinematic clarity. It draws comparisons to The Two Popes and political thrillers, while exploring themes of modernity vs tradition, certainty vs doubt, and faith vs politics.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No publicly released alternate endings have surfaced. Deleted scenes, if any, appear limited. The film closely mirrors the novel’s structure, retaining key revelations and pacing without publicly disclosed unused versions.

Book Adaptation and Differences

• The film remains faithful to Harris’s novel, including the intersex twist and ideological arcs.
• Differences include language shifts (Italian cardinal outcomes), accent adjustments (Castellitto, Tucci), and relocation of some scenes for pacing and clarity.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Lawrence discovering Tremblay’s bribery and orchestrating its exposure.
• The moment of the bombing rupture inside the chapel setting—external violence crashing into a sacred space.
• Benitez’s powerful speech calling for mercy over vengeance.
• Lawrence’s private confrontation and revelation of Benitez’s intersex identity.

Iconic Quotes

• Lawrence (pre-conclave): “Certainty is the enemy of unity and tolerance.”
• Bellini: “No sane man would want the papacy.”
• Benitez (as Pope Innocent XIV): “I am what God made me.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• In the closing credits, a cryptic pattern of letters (some in white, others in yellow) appears—but there’s no confirmed hidden message. Some speculate it ties to the name “Innocent”.
• Costumes use 17th-century cardinal red shade rather than modern scarlet for visual and historical texture.
• Subtle visual cues and speech references echo Vatican tradition and current theological debates, planted intentionally by Berger to encourage reflection.

Trivia

• There are 108 cardinals participating—the real-life number required for a conclave.
• The film script retained much of the novel’s text; actors delivered lines with minimal alteration for authenticity.
• One of the few high-profile films in 2024 to center an intersex character in a major role.
• Ralph Fiennes received multiple best-actor awards and nominations for the role—many consider it career-best.

Why Watch?

Because Conclave blends intellectual intrigue with raw humanity, offering a rare cinematic glimpse into a secretive ancient ritual. It challenges viewers to rethink leadership, faith, and identity through suspense, spectacle, and emotional depth. Ralph Fiennes drives it with authoritative subtlety—and the final twist stays with you long after the final shot.

Director’s Other Movies

• All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Two Popes (2019)
• Knives Out (2019)
• 12 Angry Men (1957)
• Doubt (2008)