TIFF 2024: Conclave Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

German filmmaker Edward Berger introduced himself to international audiences two years ago with his award-winning adaptation of All Quiet on Western Front, immersing viewers in the visceral horrors of WWI through the eyes of the German soldiers on the front line. Berger’s immersive, large-scale filmmaking was so impressive it immediately established him as a hot commodity in Hollywood. Now, he is striking while the iron is hot with his English-language debut. Based on the acclaimed book of the same name by Robert Harris, Conclave examines a political election within the Vatican, testing each candidate’s moral compass and relationship to their faith. Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, a principled man grappling with his faith who finds himself reluctantly thrust into the role of running the election to crown the new pope, following the unexpected death of the former pope. Determined to remain on the sidelines, Lawrence is drawn into the labyrinth of secrets and power struggles within the Church, ultimately taking it upon himself to ensure that the election is guided by justice and integrity.

Conclave delves into the intricacies of political elections, where the pursuit of power can drive people to extraordinary—and often contradictory—lengths. At its core, the film examines how individuals, even religious figures devoted to a higher calling, wrestle with the temptation to compromise their values in the name of power. Berger invites audiences behind the closed doors of the Vatican, where he reminds audiences that despite figures within the Church devoting their lives to a higher power, they are still humans, and are certainly not immune to the lure of sin or the moral conflicts that come with authority. The result is a gripping meditation on faith, corruption, and the fragile nature of conviction, set against the backdrop of an institution meant to embody purity but often revealing its own flaws.

While the film may not be as much of a visual spectacle as his previous work, it stands as another brilliantly crafted work from Berger, this time trading the battlefields of war for the quiet tensions of Vatican corridors. Though the film leans heavily on dialogue and rarely ventures beyond the Vatican walls, cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine turns the setting into a visual feast. There’s a subtle elegance to the way the camera moves, from the meticulously framed overhead shots of cardinals in their crimson robes to the quiet, lingering moments that allow the actors’ performances to breathe. Berger understands the balance between spectacle and subtlety, knowing precisely when to impress audiences with stunning compositions and when to step back, letting Peter Straughan’s expertly written dialogue and the strength of the performances carry a scene.

Speaking of performances, the ensemble in Conclave boasts an impressive roster of seasoned actors, each delivering performances rich with nuance and depth. Fiennes, one of the finest actors of his generation, doesn’t need to stretch himself too far in this role, but that’s precisely what makes his portrayal so effective. He brings a quiet intensity to Lawrence, capturing the character’s internal conflict and growing disillusionment with the Church in a subtle, restrained fashion. Around him are strong, memorable turns from Tucci (Cardinal Bellini), Isabella Rossellini (Sister Agnes), and Sergio Castellitto (Cardinal Tedesco) add layers to the film’s richly textured world.

Conclave ends on a completely unexpected note, delivering a powerful punch about trusting one’s own moral compass over blindly following the doctrines of the Church. It ultimately succeeds not just as a story of faith and power, but also as a gripping thriller that is sure resonate with North American audiences, especially heading into the US election this fall. In the hands of a lesser cast and filmmaker, it might have felt rudimentary, but with Berger and his ensemble steering the ship, Conclave finds its soul in the quiet moments—those telling glances and loaded silences. It’s a film that lingers, much like the weight of an unspoken truth.

still courtesy of Elevation Pictures

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Tristan French