‘Conclave’ Trailer: Ralph Fiennes Uncovers a Religious Conspiracy in Edward Berger’s Latest

Samantha Bergeson
·3 min read

Edward Berger is traveling to the Vatican for his first film since his Academy Award-winning “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

Director Berger helms religious thriller “Conclave,” based on the book by Robert Harris and adapted by “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Peter Straughan. The film follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events: selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of The Church.

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Stanley Tucci co-stars as the progressive Cardinal Bellini, who is billed as an unabashedly passionate and fiery candidate for the papacy. John Lithgow plays the ambitious Canadian Cardinal Tremblay, a fierce competitor to the papacy. Isabella Rossellini plays Sister Agnes, a nun who at first seems invisible as she serves the most powerful patriarchy in the world, yet ultimately serves as a crucial witness to the true nature of that power.

John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne, Carlos Diehz, Merab Ninidze, Thomas Loibl, and Sergio Castellitto co-star.

Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski described the film as a “Machiavellian thriller” during the 2024 CinemaCon convention. Berger previously interned at the company that later became Focus Features; the distributor acquired rights to “Conclave” in November 2023.

Kujawski added in a press statement at the time, “Edward Berger is a devilishly talented filmmaker who made our collective hearts race by showing us what happens to our better angels in those Machiavellian halls of power. We cannot wait to bring audiences to the edge of their seats with him and our friends at House Productions, Indian Paintbrush, and FilmNation.”

Director Berger reunites with his “All Quiet on the Western Front” Academy Award-winning composer Volker Bertelmann for the feature. Stéphane Fontaine (“Jackie,” “Captain Fantastic”) is the cinematographer, with “Saltburn” production designer Suzie Davies building the intricate sets for the film. Nick Emerson (“Eileen,” “Lady Macbeth”) edits.

“Conclave” is produced by House Productions and FilmNation Entertainment. The film is produced by Tessa Ross and Juliette Howell for House Productions, Michael A. Jackman for FilmNation Entertainment, Robert Harris, and Alice Dawson, and was developed with the support of Access Entertainment.

Glen Basner, Alison Cohen, Milan Popelka, Ben Browning, Len Blavatnik, Danny Cohen, Zoe Edwards, Harry Dixon, Paul Randle, Tomas Alfredson, Edward Berger, Ralph Fiennes, Peter Straughan, Robyn Slovo, Mario Gianani, and Lorenzo Gangarossa also executive produced.

FilmNation Entertainment and Indian Paintbrush – with Steven Rales serving as Executive Producer – co-financed the film.

“Conclave” premieres in select theaters November 1 and will expand nationwide on November 8. Check out the trailer below.

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