As white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel on May 8, 2025, signaling the election of a new pope, CineCinnati explores how the Oscar-winning movie ‘Conclave’ captures the drama, secrecy, and humanity of this sacred process, offering a timely reflection for audiences worldwide.
On May 8, 2025, the world paused as white smoke curled from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, announcing the election of a new pope, Pope Leo XIV, to lead the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion faithful. This historic moment, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, has reignited global fascination with the conclave—the ancient, secretive ritual where cardinals gather to choose the next pontiff.
For cinephiles and curious minds alike, the 2024 film Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, offers a gripping, human lens into this enigmatic process. At CineCinnati, I am diving into why this film resonates so deeply today, how it mirrors the real-life drama unfolding in the Vatican, and why it’s a must-watch as the world reflects on this pivotal transition.
Why ‘Conclave’ Feels So Timely in 2025
Released in October 2024, Conclave—based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel—couldn’t have anticipated its eerie relevance. Following Pope Francis’s passing, viewership soared by 283% on April 21, with 6.9 million minutes streamed in the U.S. alone, per Luminate data. By April 22, as Amazon Prime Video made it free for subscribers, that number spiked to 18.3 million.
The film’s Oscar win for Best Adapted Screenplay and nominations for Best Picture and Best Actor (Ralph Fiennes) already cemented its cultural weight, but the real-life conclave has turned it into a global touchstone.
The Plot Resembles the Reality
Conclave follows Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Fiennes), tasked with overseeing the election of a new pope amid a web of ambition, secrets, and ideological divides. With a stellar cast—Stanley Tucci as the liberal Cardinal Bellini, John Lithgow as the moderate Cardinal Tremblay, and Sergio Castellitto as the traditionalist Cardinal Tedesco—the film crackles with tension.
It’s less a historical document and more a psychological thriller, yet experts praise its fidelity to the conclave’s rituals: the sealed Sistine Chapel, the burning of ballots, and the black-to-white smoke signaling the outcome.
As 133 cardinals gathered in Vatican City this week, the parallels are striking. The real 2025 conclave, the largest ever with 108 first-time electors, reflects the film’s depiction of a diverse, global Church wrestling with its future. Will the new pope continue Francis’s progressive legacy or chart a more conservative path?
What ‘Conclave’ Gets Right—and Where It Takes Liberties
Papal scholars, like Dr. Kurt Martens of the Catholic University of America, laud Conclave for its “quite accurate” portrayal of the conclave’s mechanics. The film meticulously recreates the Sistine Chapel’s voting process: cardinals write ballots, deposit them in a chalice, and burn them with chemicals to produce black or white smoke.
Security measures—shuttered windows, confiscated phones, and electronic jammers—are spot-on, reflecting the Vatican’s efforts to shield the process from outside influence.
Yet, the film isn’t a documentary. Cardinal Seán O’Malley, who participated in the 2013 conclave, noted that the real event is more spiritually driven than the movie’s political intrigue suggests. The film’s scandals—secret relationships, hidden pasts—amplify drama over reality, where cardinals strive to vet controversies before voting begins. Its climactic twist (no spoilers here) stretches plausibility but sparks conversation about the Church’s inclusivity and future.
For Rev. Thomas Reese, a Vatican expert, the film’s strength lies in capturing the ideological factions among cardinals, even if it exaggerates their timing. The real drama, he argues, unfolds in pre-conclave “general congregations,” where cardinals debate the Church’s priorities. Conclave condenses this into the voting itself, but its portrait of a divided Church—progressives versus traditionalists—rings true.
A Human Story of Doubt and Faith
What makes Conclave resonate, especially now, is its humanity. Fiennes’s Cardinal Lawrence is no saint; he’s a man grappling with doubt, torn between duty and personal conviction. Tucci’s Bellini, weary of ambition, pleads for a Church that embraces uncertainty: “Our faith is a living thing precisely because it walks hand-in-hand with doubt.” These lines, delivered with raw vulnerability, speak to anyone navigating moral complexity—whether in a chapel or a living room.
The film’s women, like Isabella Rossellini’s Sister Agnes, add depth, hinting at the Church’s untold stories. While the real conclave remains male-dominated, Conclave subtly challenges this by amplifying female voices, a nod to ongoing debates about gender roles in Catholicism. As the 2025 conclave unfolds, these themes feel urgent, inviting viewers to ponder who the Church serves and how it evolves.
Why You Should Watch ‘Conclave’ Now
With the new pope’s identity revealed, Conclave is more than a thriller—it’s a catalyst for reflection. Here’s how to engage with it:
- Stream It: Available on Amazon Prime Video (free for subscribers) or rentable on YouTube, Apple TV, and Google Play. Watch it to understand the conclave’s stakes and rituals.
- Discuss It: Host a watch party or join online forums. The film’s themes—power, faith, secrecy—are ripe for debate, especially as the Vatican’s decision reverberates.
- Read Up: Pair the film with Harris’s novel or articles from sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post for deeper context.
- Reflect: Consider the Church’s future. Will the new pope echo Francis’s focus on migrants and the environment, or shift course? Conclave invites you to wrestle with these questions.
My Take?
I believe cinema should spark curiosity and connection. Conclave does both, blending sumptuous visuals—long corridors, crimson robes, Michelangelo’s frescoes—with a story that’s as intimate as it is epic. Its 7.4/10 IMDb rating and BAFTA win for Best Film underscore its craft, but its true power lies in making the Vatican’s mysteries feel human. As St. Peter’s Square erupts in celebration tonight, Conclave reminds us that behind the smoke and pomp are people—flawed, hopeful, searching for meaning.
So, grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and let Conclave pull you into a world where faith meets politics. Then, join us at CineCinnati to share your thoughts. What did the film reveal about power? How does it shape your view of the new pope? The conversation starts here.
Anyway, don’t forget to subscribe to CineCinnati before you ditch the page!
