Ralph Fiennes’ ‘Oscar-worthy’ new film Conclave will provoke the Vatican

Conclave is a welcome ‘grown-up’ drama for 2024 that delves deep into the intrigue of the Vatican – and gives Ralph Fiennes the best chance at an Oscar in years. Directed by Edward Berger – hot off the success of 2022’s award-winning All Quiet on the Western Front – and based on the 2016 novel of the same name by best-selling author Robert Harris, the movie has solid foundations. But what helps it sing is the quality of its cast, with Fiennes supported by the likes of Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati and Isabella Rossellini. Conclave begins with the death of the previous Pope and follows Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) as he is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secretive and long-standing ancient rituals – that of the selection of his successor.