Conclave

Conclave turns the process of electing a new Pope into an intense and gripping thriller.

Based on the novel by Robert Harris, this is a serious film for serious people with serious actors and, as such, feels wonderfully refreshing.

A pulse-pounding score intermingles with the absolutely stunning cinematography and scenery of the Vatican to create a ‘political thriller’ experience within this world of religion, differences, tradition and pomposity.

By all accounts faithful to the text, there are myriad unexpected twists and turns to keep you guessing although, for me, there is arguably a more ‘cinematic ending’ route it could have gone down which could have been slightly more satisfying for a film of this type.

Wonderful acting abounds, as you’d expect from a storied cast like this, with plenty of cracking speeches and one-liners.

An absolutely stand-out film that is simply wondrous to look at. Bathing in religious imagery, but not picking a side ideologically, and instead allowing the pulpy soap opera stuff to sit alongside the deeper spiritual seeking.

For those who’ve read the book I suspect this could be nigh-on perfect but, harsh as it is, the slightly sudden ending just leaves the sense of something missing. That is super harsh though and I expect that opinion to change on rewatch.

You'll struggle to find a better-made film this year.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️