MFF 2024 – Conclave: Blending Comedy and Contemplation

Written by Andrew Cooper

Published on October 25, 2024

The 13th annual Montclair Film Festival kicked off on Friday, October 18th, welcoming hundreds of moviegoers, cinephiles, and fans, all eager to see the festival’s premiere feature, Conclave. The 2024 film, which will debut in select theaters on October 25th, was a hit among Montclair’s residents, earning a thunderous applause upon its conclusion. Conclave is a religious drama and thriller that follows a Cardinal tasked with overseeing one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events—the selection of a new pope. Suspense, intrigue, and drama unfold inside the Vatican as powerful religious leaders vie to appoint the next Holy Father. The film stars the incomparable Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, alongside Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, Carlos Diehz, and John Lithgow.

Arguably one of the most provocative and uniquely crafted stories to hit the big screen this year, Conclave marks the 25th film by German-Austrian writer, director, and producer Edward Berger. Following the success of his Academy Award-winning film All Quiet on The Western Front, Berger delivers a narrative that takes a dramatic departure from the epic war drama—at least to some extent. While the story differs in scope, it still explores a struggle for power, this time among the most influential figures within the Church. Berger creates a heightened version of our world, where even God’s most devout leaders have their share of conflict. Conclave is a pleasantly surprising film, one that masterfully blends humor and depth, offering an enjoyable cinematic experience that invites laughter even amidst its contemplation of the complexities of faith and power.