TIFF REVIEW – ‘Conclave’ is a taut, meticulously crafted thriller and a masterclass in subtlety and tension
The quest to elect a new Pope doesn't sound like it would make for particularly gripping cinema. Think again, folks. Edward Berger’s masterful Conclave turns the solemn, ritualistic Vatican setting into a stage for tension, moral ambiguity, and unexpected twists and shocks, making it 2024's most thoughtful thriller. With a sharp script that brings out the political intrigue beneath the façade of devout unity and powerhouse performances from a stellar ensemble cast led by an Oscar-worthy Ralph Fiennes, Conclave brilliantly explores how ambition, secrecy, and faith interweave in this...