Conclave Is More Da Vinci Code Than Catholic

Image Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter/Focus Features

By Dean Robbins

If you traffic in certain varyingly pleasant corners of the internet, you have probably heard about Conclave, the Oscar front-running, papal election thriller. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro made a video on the film entitled “Catholics should be PISSED [sic] at this Movie.” Then, Bishop Robert Barron said in a tweet that “my advice is to run away from it as fast as you can.” Nevertheless, I had hoped that the film was being misinterpreted or that there was more nuance to it. It is then my displeasure to say that Conclave is, despite some legitimately great moments, exactly what the accusations say.

Having just said that then, I do want to offer a weak defense of the film. Peter Straughan’s adaptation of the novel of the same name by Robert Harris is evidently sympathetic to Catholicism. It is too nuanced a portrait of faith and providence to make me think it was a product of a blindly raging critic. Rather, Conclave puts forth a vision of Catholicism that many Catholics would reject–that the faith is more about change in the face of doubt rather than clinging to tradition. 

Conclave mainly follows Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) who is leading a papal election following the death of the last Pope. Lawrence is beset by religious doubt, a trait that allows for a truly interesting exploration into the nature of faith. We come to meet a variety of contenders, including the rad-trad Tedesco (Sergio Castellito), the conservative Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), the mild-mannered and newly appointed Benitez (Carlos Diehz), and the progressive Bellini (Stanley Tucci). Most of these cardinals and their supporters will not stop at anything to secure the Papacy, even if it means revealing their competition’s darkest secrets. Lawrence is put in the middle and must choose whether to intervene or not. 

Straughan’s screenplay is twisty, catty, and fun. The viewer is quickly keyed into and engaged by the various alliances and power plays throughout. It often feels like a mix of The Da Vinci Code and Succession. The cast chew much of the Vatican scenery. Ralph Fiennes gives a fantastic performance that assuredly will be at least nominated by the Academy. Most audiences will leave satisfied. It is not a bad night at the movies…unless you are a Catholic (who ascribes to certain doctrines).

Straughan and director Edward Berger are making an argument for a progressive Church that ignores its tradition. One character literally says in a pivotal monologue: “The church is not the past. It is what we do next.” Personally, I am not opposed to critiquing Latin Mass traditionalism. The Pope himself does it. The script also does not unanimously valorize ecclesial progressivism. However, Conclave takes things too far, culminating in a shock ending that advocates for female ordination among other things. If this does not bother you, give Conclave a try. If it does, heed Bishop Barron’s advice.

Rating: 3 out of 5 (with a qualifier).