Holy smokes! This week on Cinemaholics, Jon Negroni and Will Ashton enter the sacred halls of Conclave, the latest thriller from Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front). Set against the backdrop of a Vatican papal election, the film dives into the labyrinth of faith, power, and political intrigue. We discuss Ralph Fiennes’ captivating performance as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the high-stakes drama of electing a new pope, and the surprising humor that keeps the tension from boiling over. Plus, we unpack the film’s visual grandeur, that audacious ending twist, and where it fits in the awards season race…You can read an edited transcript of our conversation right here.

Conclave was directed by Edward Berger and is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris. The cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, with cinematography by Stéphane Fontaine (Jackie). Premiering in limited release on October 25, 2024 through Focus Features and has a runtime of 120 minutes.

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