“View gallery Image Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis Edward Berger‘s Conclave has courted controversy over its portrayal of Catholics. But that didn’t stop it from racking up a whopping eight Oscar nominations, which were announced Thursday, January 23, 2025. Only Emilia Perez (13), Wicked (10), and The Brutalist (10) earned more. The religious thriller scored nominations”, — write: hollywoodlife.com
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Image Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis Edward Berger‘s Conclave has courted controversy over its portrayal of Catholics. But that didn’t stop it from racking up a whopping eight Oscar nominations, which were announced Thursday, January 23, 2025. Only Emilia Perez (13), Wicked (10), and The Brutalist (10) earned more. The religious thriller scored nominations for best picture, best actor (Ralph Fiennes,) best supporting actress (Isabella Rossellini,) costume design, film editing (Nick Emerson,) production design, best original score (Volker Bertelmann,) and best adapted screenplay (Peter Straughan.)
The film, which was released on October 25, 2024, arrives just months before the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. The late pope died at the age of 88 in Vatican City, just a day after delivering his final Easter prayer, Urbi et Orbi, to the public. According to the Vatican, a portion of his message read, “Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness and truth over falsehood. Forgiveness has triumphed over revenge. Evil has not disappeared from history; it will remain until the end, but it no longer has the upper hand; it no longer has power over those who accept the grace of this day.
Below, find out how to watch Conclave in the days following Pope Francis’ passing.
‘Conclave’ Cast Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, alongside Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini, Sergio Castellitto as Cardinal Tedesco, Carlos Diehz as Cardinal Benitez, Lucian Msamati as Cardinal Adeyemi, and John Lithgow as Cardinal Tremblay. Rossellini balances out a heavily male cast as Sister Agnes.
What is ‘Conclave’ About?
Conclave is an adaptation of Robert Harris‘ bestselling novel of the same name. Set in Vatican City, the intense plot centers on the secretive, behind-closed-doors process by which the College of Cardinals deliberates in the Sistine Chapel to choose a new Pope following the death of the previous one. Coincidentally, this fictional portrayal aligns with real-world events, as a conclave is currently underway in Vatican City, with the College of Cardinals convening to begin the process of electing the next Pope.
“Conclave unfolds over a tension-riddled 72 hours, depicting a gripping confrontation between tradition, politics, anhttps://youtu.be/JX9jasdi3ic?si=esM9F_2WBqXYbdvzd faith,” reads the official logline, per Deadline. “Featuring brilliant supporting performances — most notably from Isabella Rossellini as the silent yet formidable Sister Agnes — it focuses on the all-too-human aspects of a hallowed procedure, one that speculates on the role of religion in a rapidly changing world.”
Fiennes explained in an October 2024 interview what he felt the film was asking. “I think the film asks the question: Who is the person that is best? Who is the right person to take this extraordinary position of spiritual leadership? And what we want them to be spiritually, to have a great spiritual foundation as a person,” he told TODAY at the time. “In the course of the film, I think we understand that person gets there.”
Is ‘Conclave’ Streaming Anywhere? If you’re hoping to stream the movie from the comfort of your own home, you’re in luck. Conclave is currently streaming on Peacock. You can also purchase or rent the film on Prime Video, Apple TV+, Fandango at Home, or Google Play Movies. If you’d like to catch it on the big screen, it will be returning to theaters ahead of the Oscars. Check your local listings for showtimes.