"Conclave marks the return of German director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), now with an adaptation of Robert Harris' novel. The plot follows Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who is going through a crisis of faith when the pope dies, and he is tasked with gathering the other cardinals and overseeing the election of the new pope. Isolated from the outside world, the cardinals must deliberate and lobby for votes as intrigues arise within the group, and Cardinal Lawrence questions the integrity of the Catholic Church. With precise direction and a meticulous script by Peter Straughan (Frank), the narrative reveals each new twist at just the right moment, and while it doesn’t delve deeply into the questions it raises about truth, faith, organized religions, and the human fallibility at the heart of it all, it features masterful performances (the cast includes names like Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow) and enough intrigue to fuel an entire week of gossip."