Conclave
When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading the selection of a new Pope, he finds himself in a web of conspiracy and intrigue that could shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church.
Despite a moderate budget of $20.0M, Conclave became a financial success, earning $115.7M worldwide—a 478% return.
1 Oscar. 91 wins & 324 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Cardinal Thomas Lawrence
Cardinal Aldo Bellini
Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi
Cardinal Joseph Tremblay
Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco
Cardinal Vincent Benitez
Sister Agnes
Main Cast & Characters
Cardinal Thomas Lawrence
Played by Ralph Fiennes
Dean of the College of Cardinals tasked with organizing the papal conclave. A man of faith wrestling with doubt and committed to uncovering truth.
Cardinal Aldo Bellini
Played by Stanley Tucci
Liberal Italian cardinal and leading papal candidate. Lawrence's close friend who champions reform and progressive values.
Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi
Played by Lucian Msamati
Nigerian cardinal and conservative candidate. Charismatic leader representing the global south with traditional values.
Cardinal Joseph Tremblay
Played by John Lithgow
Canadian cardinal and ambitious candidate. Politically savvy operator willing to manipulate events for power.
Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco
Played by Sergio Castellitto
Italian traditionalist cardinal representing conservative faction. Advocates for return to Latin mass and traditional doctrine.
Cardinal Vincent Benitez
Played by Carlos Diehz
Mysterious cardinal appointed in secret by the late Pope. Unknown to the other cardinals until the conclave begins.
Sister Agnes
Played by Isabella Rossellini
Head of the Vatican housekeeping staff. Observant and principled woman who possesses crucial information about Vatican corruption.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Cardinal Lawrence kneels in private prayer, tormented by doubt. His letter of resignation to the Pope reveals a man of faith in crisis, questioning his place within the Church.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The Pope dies suddenly, thrusting Cardinal Lawrence into his duty as Dean to oversee the conclave. A man seeking to leave the institution must now protect and guide its most sacred process.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The conclave officially begins with the cardinals sealed inside and the first vote cast. Lawrence commits fully to his duty, determined to ensure a fair process despite his own spiritual crisis and the political machinations surrounding him., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat A scandal erupts when evidence of Cardinal Tremblay's secret communications with the late Pope surfaces, suggesting impropriety. The revelation fractures the conclave—false defeat as the process Lawrence tried to protect appears corrupted beyond repair., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The bombing aftermath and cascading scandals leave the conclave in disarray. Lawrence confronts the possibility that the Church he has served may be irredeemably broken. His faith—already fragile—faces its ultimate test. The whiff of death hangs over the institution itself., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Lawrence realizes that his doubt is not weakness but wisdom—that uncertainty is the foundation of true faith. He sees in Benitez a candidate who embodies mercy over judgment, mystery over certainty. Lawrence decides to act, not to control the outcome, but to ensure truth is heard., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Conclave's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Conclave against these established plot points, we can identify how Edward Berger utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Conclave within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Cardinal Lawrence kneels in private prayer, tormented by doubt. His letter of resignation to the Pope reveals a man of faith in crisis, questioning his place within the Church.
Theme
A fellow cardinal remarks that certainty is the enemy of faith—echoing the film's central exploration of how doubt and uncertainty may be closer to true spirituality than rigid dogma.
Worldbuilding
The death of the Pope is announced. Cardinals from around the world gather in Vatican City. Lawrence learns his resignation was never processed—the Pope died before reading it. The political factions and key cardinals are introduced: conservative Tedesco, ambitious Tremblay, progressive Bellini, and the Nigerian Adeyemi.
Disruption
The Pope dies suddenly, thrusting Cardinal Lawrence into his duty as Dean to oversee the conclave. A man seeking to leave the institution must now protect and guide its most sacred process.
Resistance
Lawrence reluctantly accepts his role as conclave administrator. The cardinals are sealed within the Sistine Chapel. The mysterious Cardinal Benitez arrives—secretly appointed by the late Pope. Lawrence navigates political maneuvering while establishing the rules and rituals of papal election.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The conclave officially begins with the cardinals sealed inside and the first vote cast. Lawrence commits fully to his duty, determined to ensure a fair process despite his own spiritual crisis and the political machinations surrounding him.
Mirror World
Cardinal Benitez emerges as a figure of genuine faith uncorrupted by ambition. His quiet conviction and mysterious background provide Lawrence a mirror—showing what authentic service without political calculation might look like.
Premise
The voting rounds unfold with shifting alliances and backroom deals. Lawrence investigates troubling rumors about each frontrunner. Tedesco's extremism, Tremblay's secret dealings, and Adeyemi's hidden past all surface. The political thriller elements deliver as Lawrence becomes detective within the sacred space.
Midpoint
A scandal erupts when evidence of Cardinal Tremblay's secret communications with the late Pope surfaces, suggesting impropriety. The revelation fractures the conclave—false defeat as the process Lawrence tried to protect appears corrupted beyond repair.
Opposition
Each leading candidate faces exposure of their secrets. Adeyemi's past sexual misconduct is revealed. Tedesco gains momentum with his traditionalist message amid the chaos. A terrorist bombing near Vatican City creates external crisis. Lawrence struggles to maintain order as the institution's corruption becomes undeniable.
Collapse
The bombing aftermath and cascading scandals leave the conclave in disarray. Lawrence confronts the possibility that the Church he has served may be irredeemably broken. His faith—already fragile—faces its ultimate test. The whiff of death hangs over the institution itself.
Crisis
Lawrence wrestles with despair in the aftermath. The cardinals are shaken, the process tainted. Conservative Tedesco appears poised to win by default, threatening to pull the Church backward. Lawrence must find meaning in service to a flawed institution.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Lawrence realizes that his doubt is not weakness but wisdom—that uncertainty is the foundation of true faith. He sees in Benitez a candidate who embodies mercy over judgment, mystery over certainty. Lawrence decides to act, not to control the outcome, but to ensure truth is heard.
Synthesis
Lawrence addresses the cardinals, speaking truth about the Church's failures and the need for renewal. The final votes are cast. In a stunning outcome, Cardinal Benitez is elected Pope. As the new Pope prepares to address the world, Lawrence learns Benitez's final secret—he is intersex, a fact the late Pope knew and embraced.
Transformation
Cardinal Lawrence watches the new Pope step onto the balcony. The man who began in doubt now stands in acceptance—not certainty, but peace with mystery. The Church has chosen someone who embodies its contradictions, and Lawrence has found his faith renewed through embracing uncertainty.