Ralph Fiennes Leads Conclave

Overseeing the election of the leader of a widely followed and highly influential religious organization sounds like a tremendous responsibility. In the upcoming movie, CONCLAVE, two-time Academy AwardⓇ nominee Ralph Fiennes stars as a man who is given that very task, and it certainly proves to be a demanding job. However, it is a discovery that he makes during the process which has an especially grueling and startling effect on him.
This new thriller from Focus Features, which is rated PG for thematic material and smoking, and had its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, has been selected as an AMC Artisan Film. Before you purchase your ticket to check it out when it’s released in AMC Theatres on October 25, take a deeper look at the plot, the talented cast, and other details all about CONCLAVE in the guide below.
The inciting incident to the plot of CONCLAVE – which is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris – is the sudden, unexpected passing of the current pope. This means that an election to choose a new head for the worldwide Catholic Church must be held, and put in charge of overseeing the very secretive, time-honored tradition is Cardinal Lawrence.
The Church’s most powerful leaders begin to gather at the Vatican City in Rome to plead their candidacy, but soon after, Lawrence uncovers secrets about papal candidates that would not only have a hostile effect on the election but on the organization as a whole. Dealing with themes regarding the power of faith, the dangers of competition, and moral judgment, CONCLAVE is an expertly-paced, high-stakes drama.
Leading the cast of CONCLAVE as Cardinal Lawrence is Ralph Fiennes, who earned his aforementioned OscarⓇ nominations for his supporting role in 1993’s SCHINDLER’S LIST and his leading role in 1996’s THE ENGLISH PATIENT. He is also well known for portraying Voldemort in the HARRY POTTER movies. The English actor boasts great chemistry with fellow Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci – for 2009’s THE LOVELY BONES – who also has a blockbuster franchise based on a YA novel series under his belt, namely the HUNGER GAMES movies.
The esteemed talents in the CONCLAVE cast also include John Lithgow, who has two Academy Award nominations – for 1982’s THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP and TERMS OF ENDEARMENT from the following year. In addition to Lithgow, the cast includes Italian-born actor Isabella Rossellini of David Lynch’s BLUE VELVET fame. Carlos Diehz makes his feature film acting debut, alongside Lucian Msamati (SEE HOW THEY RUN), Brían F. O’Byrne (MILLION DOLLAR BABY), Merab Ninidze (THE COURIER), and Rome native Sergio Castellito, whom English-speaking audiences may recognize from THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN.
CONCLAVE is the feature-length, English language debut of director Edward Berger, whose 2022 adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s influential World War I-era novel, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT took home four Academy Awards, including Best International Feature Film. The German filmmaker is known, however, for helming episodes of English-language television, such as AMC’s horror anthology TV series, “The Terror,” all five parts of HBO’s 2018 limited series, “Patrick Melrose,” with Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role, and Showtime’s “Your Honor” with Bryan Cranston.
In concept alone, a movie about choosing the pope does not necessarily sound like the grounds of a heart-racing, dramatic thriller. However, one would be quick to put that sort of assumption behind them immediately after watching the trailer for CONCLAVE. See for yourself by watching the clip here:
From the moment it is announced that the pope has passed, the clip seems to set off a ticking clock that increases in intensity as it shows more of the delicate process of electing the church’s new leader, which Stanley Tucci’s character describes as a war before urging Ralph Fiennes’ Lawrence to pick a side. In addition to the hints that disparaging secrets are coming to light, the event certainly looks to resemble a war by the climactic final shot of an explosion going off in the Vatican.
No matter what branch of faith you come from, if you enjoy complex, high-stakes, character-driven drama, then CONCLAVE might be the October movie release for you. Check it out when it comes to an AMC Theatres location near you!
CONCLAVE opens October 25