Conclave

Slow and boring, ending was laughable.

Deeply touching, thrilling, and proving a point, Conclave succeds in making a good church movie.

Pushed play on this movie during a stormy raining night in Wisconsin, the perfect soundscape for a serious movie dramatically capturing the process of voting for a new pope. Conclave dives into a fictional scenario of determining a new pope and unbeknownst bureaucratic backdrop that occurs. I am not sure if this depiction is a luscious overtelling of the process or an inside scoop to what might really go on. The movie itself is interesting to watch not knowing any details of this catholic process. It sparks the intrigue as if its almost a documentary. But that’s where it stops and the movie falls short. I was prompted to check this movie out for two reasons….Isabella Rosellini and John Lithgoe. Isabella because I only know her name from being featured in one episode of Friends in a cameo as herself. I had never seen anything she may have been, so to see her in something current I thought id take this opportunity. I am also a big fan of John Lithgoe and heard praise of his performance…especially from the boys of Smartless when John was featured. Watching this movie John does a fantastic job, but its not a standout performance like one may have been lead. All the actors deliver a very fair performance in this movie. Performances that have to deliver nuance, and not so much flair. The end of this movie is alittle odd for sorts and really ends up not warranting a complete film being made on this concept. While the result of the Conclave is a bit obscure, its not out of the realm of science. If one does their research afterwards they will find that no real catholic rules seem to be broken. Furthermore if the person themself never even knew…nothing would be any different. (After the movie research PMDS - or before if you want a spoiler, lol). If you want an inside look of a conclave in a fictional world…welp, this is your movie. Otherwise, it can be reserved for the bottom of your movie watchlist.

nothing compelling here

Incredible acting and suspense. I never thought that it would be entertaining to watch 150 old men argue yet here we are incredibly cinematic

Beautifully made and Ralph Finnes at his finest, but like the church itself, it's a slow turtle 🐢

The message is good but the story was too slow

This is a brilliant movie ruined by an absolutely terrible, nonsensical ending that undercuts all the various storylines that had been building throughout and throws away all the character development of our various cast of cardinals. A+ acting, directing, and cinematography but how this won best adapted screenplay despite an undeserved final act is a true head-scratcher. Wasted potential to be among the best

spellbinding look at the making of a pope

"𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙖 𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙢 — 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮" Conclave is the kind of film that captivates you from the very first minute. With clever direction and precise pacing, it immerses the viewer in the mysterious and ritualistic process of choosing a new Pope — something normally hidden from the eyes of the world. What is most impressive is how the film, released shortly before the death of Pope Francis in April 2025, ended up gaining an extra layer of meaning. What was a work of fiction became a mirror of reality, making the experience even more intense and exciting. The setting within the walls of the Vatican is spectacular: claustrophobic, silent and solemn — and, at the same time, full of political and spiritual tension. The photography and soundtrack perfectly complement the narrative, keeping the viewer intrigued until the end. It is a film that not only entertains, but also educates and provokes reflection. A timeless work that shows how cinema can deeply connect with the most important moments in real history.