
A tension of faith arises in ‘Conclave’
Filmmaker Edward Berger caught the world’s attention with his take-no-prisoners adaptation of the classic anti-war novel All Quiet on the Western Front for Netflix. Following his Academy Award win for the picture, he’s now changing things up with a taut and fast-paced adaptation of Robert Harris’ taut political thriller Conclave. The first trailer promises tension that ramps up second after second.
Watch the full trailer for Conclave below:
Here’s the official synopsis:
Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), tasked with finding the successor to the deceased Pope, discovers the former Pope had a secret that must be uncovered.
Leading from the front with Conclave is two-time Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes, who takes on the role of Cardinal Lawrence, a highly intelligent, thoughtful and questioning Cardinal who is given the responsibility to host the conclave that will elect the new Pope to rule over the Catholic faith, and who in his duty discovers a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the very foundation of the Church itself.
Fiennes brings his considerable presence and range to bear in the role of Cardinal Lawrence, who begins to suffer from a severe crisis of faith as he is encircled by a nest of vipers, all with their own ambitions as they vie to lead the church into the future.
A stacked supporting cast lends their considerable talents to the picture, including Sergio Castellito as the rigidly conservative Tedesco, John Lithgow as the potentially corrupt Tremblay, Stanley Tucci as the modest (and liberal) Bellini, and Carlos Diehz as the intriguing Benitez. All of these actors have a considerable force of drama at their disposal, and all will bring their aptitude for theatrics to this picture. And it shows in this gripping first trailer.
From the movement of this trailer, it’s clear that Berger is ramping up the energy with Conclave. The tension and stress placed upon Fiennes’ Cardinal Lawrence lead to a cinematic event that is a pure boiling point of intrigue and double-dealing, and you’ll be holding on for dear life with this picture.
Audiences seeking a highly intelligent piece of cinema that offers a pure rush of thrilling intrigue will be in for a very special cinema experience when Conclave arrives on the big screen on January 9, 2025.
Image: Roadshow Films