Edward Berger's 'Conclave' plunges us into the shadowy world of the papal conclave, where ambition, betrayal, and the weight of tradition collide. The film follows the cardinals as they grapple with shocking revelations and unexpected tragedies, ultimately leading to a captivating climax.
Much of Edward Berger’s gripping papal thriller “Conclave” unfolds in the shadows. Alliances shift and break in dim stairwells, tense accusations fly in dark corridors and secrets are exposed in the lamp-lit privacy of the papal apartment — all in danger of upending the centuries-old process to elect the next pope.
So when a shocking revelation (warning: spoilers ahead!) in the film’s final act and an unexpected tragedy cast a harsh new light on the cardinals in the running, it feels like a dizzying release. The more progressive Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci) points the finger at traditionalist Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), telling him he should be ashamed of himself. An unflinching Tedesco whips the group into a frenzy with talk of a religious war as former front-runner for the papacy Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow) sits back in disgrace and Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) stands frozen in dismay over the proceedings he’s lost control of. Then, Cardinal Benítez (Carlos Diehz) stands up. Poised and calm, he tells the group, “Forgive me, but in these last few days, we have shown ourselves to be small, petty men, concerned only in ourselves, in Rome, in the election, and in power.” Appointed by the late pope “en pectore,” or in secret, Benítez’s very presence is a threat to the careful balance of the conclave. In contrast to his counterparts, he radiates a tranquil energy that serves as an antidote to the petty politics and drama playing out among the top candidates. Though he hasn’t campaigned, and while he was completely unknown to the other cardinals prior to their gathering, by the time Benítez addresses the group, he’s the dark horse of the election. It’s an arresting performance, one made all the more impressive by the fact that it’s Diehz’s feature film debut. At 53 years old, the Vancouver-based actor decided to give acting a try in 2020, appearing in a few short films until booking his breakout role in “Conclave”
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