Conclave (2024): A Movie Review Exploring Its Core Messages and Hidden Themes
Dr. Javanshir Gadimov
Conclave (2024), directed by Edward Berger, is a gripping political thriller that dives into the secretive and intricate process of selecting a new Pope following the sudden death of the pontiff. Set within the hallowed halls of the Vatican, the film follows Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who is tasked with overseeing the conclave—a sequestered gathering of cardinals from around the world to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church. As the process unfolds, Lawrence uncovers a web of conspiracies, personal ambitions, and moral dilemmas that threaten to shake the Church’s foundations. With a stellar cast, including Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, and a visually stunning presentation, Conclave is both a riveting drama and a profound commentary on power, faith, and human imperfection.
Drawing inspiration from Umberto Eco’s distinction between readers who focus on plot and those who seek deeper meaning, this blog post goes beyond the surface narrative of Conclave to explore the messages and subtexts woven into its story. The film’s release in late 2024, eerily timed with the real-life death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, amplifies its relevance, making it a timely lens through which to examine the Vatican’s inner workings and the broader implications of its leadership. Below, we delve into the film’s core themes and the subtle messages it conveys between the lines, reflecting on its commentary about power, division, universality, and the human condition.
Messages and Subtext in Conclave
The Politics of Power in the Papal Election
At its heart, Conclave reveals the political machinations that underpin even the most sacred institutions. The film portrays the papal election as a high-stakes chess game, where ambition, alliances, and manipulation shape the outcome. While the real-life conclave may not feature the dramatic flourishes of bombs or last-minute scandals—like a cardinal’s hidden child, as depicted in the film—it underscores that the selection of a Pope is never devoid of subtle politicking. The narrative suggests that behind closed Vatican doors, cardinals engage in strategic maneuvering, whether through promises of influence or swaying votes based on ideological alignment. This political undercurrent challenges the perception of the conclave as a purely spiritual process, inviting viewers to question how power operates within revered institutions.
Ideological Divisions: Liberal vs. Conservative
A prominent theme in Conclave is the ideological rift among the cardinals, mirroring broader societal divides. The film pits conservative figures like Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) against more liberal ones like Cardinal Lawrence. Tedesco embodies rigid traditionalism, lamenting the Church’s departure from Latin Mass and advocating for a return to a Rome-centric, exclusionary vision. His xenophobic rhetoric, including blaming Muslims for a fictional Vatican bombing and railing against Europe’s “migrant influx,” positions him as a caricature of extreme conservatism. In contrast, Lawrence represents a more progressive stance, emphasizing inclusivity and openness to change. This dichotomy highlights the Church’s internal struggle between tradition and modernity, suggesting that the choice of Pope could steer the institution toward either unity or further polarization.
The Universality of the Church vs. Factionalism
The arrival of a surprise cardinal from Afghanistan, Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz), introduces a powerful message about the Church’s global reach. During a scene at the cardinals’ communal meal, Lawrence gestures to the diverse assembly—cardinals from different continents, cultures, and languages—celebrating the Church’s universality. Conversely, Tedesco sees this diversity as a source of division, noting how cardinals cluster by language or region, signaling factionalism. His vision of a homogenous, Rome-centric Church clashes with the reality of a global institution. The film subtly critiques insular mindsets, advocating for a Church that embraces its diverse flock rather than succumbing to tribalism. Benitez’s presence, emerging from conflict zones like Kabul, further underscores the need for a leader who understands the world’s complexities beyond Eurocentric perspectives.
The Fallibility of Cardinals and the Pope
Conclave humanizes the cardinals, portraying them as flawed individuals rather than infallible saints. From a cardinal who bribed others for votes to another who fathered a child decades ago, the film reveals their imperfections—ambition, greed, and moral lapses. A poignant moment occurs when a cardinal remarks that seeking a “perfect” candidate would leave the conclave empty-handed, acknowledging that even the holiest figures are human. The revelation that the late Pope kept dossiers on the cardinals, distrusting their motives, reinforces this theme. Even mundane details, like cardinals smoking and leaving cigarette butts scattered on the ground, serve as a metaphor for the “mess” they leave behind, challenging the idealized image of Vatican sanctity.
The Danger of Ambition
A striking line in the film—“Men are dangerous who do want it”—encapsulates Conclave’s warning about unchecked ambition. The cardinals who most ardently pursue the papacy, driven by ego or ideology, are portrayed as the least suitable candidates. Tedesco’s zealous vision of a “holy war” and his nostalgia for a bygone Rome exemplify the perils of a power-hungry leader. In contrast, the reluctant Lawrence, grappling with a crisis of faith, emerges as a figure of integrity, suggesting that true leadership may lie in humility and self-doubt. This message resonates beyond the Vatican, cautioning against leaders whose ambition overshadows their judgment in any sphere of influence.
A Timely Reflection on Leadership
The film’s release just before Pope Francis’s death feels almost prophetic, amplifying its commentary on the stakes of leadership transitions. While the filmmakers couldn’t have predicted the exact timing, the buzz around Pope Francis’s illness in early 2025 likely influenced their decision to release a film that taps into global curiosity about the conclave. Conclave invites viewers to consider what qualities the next Pope—or any leader—should embody in a world grappling with division, extremism, and uncertainty. By juxtaposing Tedesco’s divisive rhetoric with Benitez’s grounded perspective, forged in war-torn regions, the film advocates for a leader who bridges divides rather than deepens them.
Conclave Movie Review
Conclave is a masterfully crafted thriller that balances suspense with profound introspection, making it one of 2024’s standout films. Ralph Fiennes delivers a career-defining performance as Cardinal Lawrence, embodying a man torn between duty and doubt with subtle, heart-wrenching restraint. The ensemble cast—Stanley Tucci’s principled Bellini, John Lithgow’s cunning Tremblay, and Sergio Castellitto’s fiery Tedesco—brings electrifying energy to the Vatican’s power struggles. Director Edward Berger, fresh off All Quiet on the Western Front, infuses the film with a taut, almost claustrophobic tension, amplified by Volker Bertelmann’s haunting score and Stéphane Fontaine’s breathtaking cinematography. The visuals are stunning, with sweeping shots of cardinals in uniform crimson robes marching in unison through the Vatican’s grandeur, contrasted by intimate, shadowed moments that expose their vulnerabilities.
Cinematographically, Conclave is a triumph of harmony and contrast. The orderly processions and meticulously recreated Vatican interiors evoke a sense of timeless tradition, yet Berger cleverly disrupts this uniformity with subtle differences—like cardinals wearing region-specific vestments, reflecting their diverse origins. These visual choices reinforce the film’s theme of unity amidst diversity, grounding the lofty proceedings in human complexity. The film’s pacing is relentless, weaving plot twists and moral dilemmas that keep viewers on edge, though some have critiqued the final twist as feeling abrupt or undercooked. Despite this, the narrative’s emotional depth and intellectual heft make it a compelling exploration of faith, power, and humanity.
Beyond its surface-level intrigue, Conclave is a meditation on the fragility of institutions and the qualities that define true leadership. It challenges viewers to look past the pomp and circumstance of the Vatican and see the human struggles beneath—ambition, doubt, and the quest for meaning. The film’s timeliness, coinciding with a real-world papal transition, elevates its relevance, urging audiences to reflect on the kind of leaders the world needs today. Whether you’re drawn to its political drama or its philosophical undertones, Conclave is a film that lingers, prompting discussion long after the credits roll.
See also: 10 Captivating Movies About the Vatican and the Papacy
Conclusion
Conclave (2024) is more than a thriller about a papal election; it’s a profound exploration of power, division, and the human condition within one of the world’s most enigmatic institutions. By peeling back the Vatican’s mystique, the film reveals universal truths about leadership and the dangers of extremism, making it a timely and thought-provoking watch. I’ve shared my take on its core messages, but I’m eager to hear yours. What did you think Conclave was trying to say? Did you catch any subtext or themes I might have missed? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let’s discuss the hidden layers of this remarkable film!
