Prospective Popes play the game of thrones in Conclave trailer

Stanley Tucci, Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini star in the upcoming Edward Berger film

By Emma Keates  |  July 18, 2024 | 3:58pm
Screenshot courtesy of Focus Features
Film News Conclave
Prospective Popes play the game of thrones in Conclave trailer

At this, er, particular moment in American history, it’s almost comforting to be reminded that other institutions have had to withstand their own contentious and conspiracy-riddled election cycles. At least that’s one thing we can take an odd sort of solace in related to the rampant corruption in the Catholic Church, as explored in Edward Berger’s upcoming film, Conclave. The other silver lining is that it looks like it’s going to make for a backdrop to a very good movie.

If you’ve been keeping up with House Of The Dragon and ever thought, “Huh, I wish there was a version of this in real life but with Bibles instead of dragons,” Conclave might be just the film for you. Based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris, the film follows a scramble for power in the Vatican, after a vacuum is left by the unexpected death of the sitting Pope.

Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, the authority appointed to oversee the highly-publicized selection of the new Pope. According to the film’s logline, “Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of The Church.”

“The supervision of this election is a duty I never thought I’d have to perform,” Lawrence says in the trailer, while staring down, Cersei-style, at the men of the cloth currently plotting each other’s downfalls. Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow also star as competing Cardinals Bellini and Tremblay, while Isabella Rossellini plays a nun named Sister Agnes who will come to be “vital” in the upcoming election. “It is a war, and you have to commit to a side,” Bellini tells Lawrence in a particularly tense moment. We’ve heard that one before. 

The shots included in the trailer are a study in contrast and striking color, from the keen eye of All Quiet On The Western Front’s Berger. The film was written by Peter Straughan (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) and will open in limited theaters November 1, before releasing wide November 8.

 
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