Conclave (2024)
Kernel Score: 81% · 3,227 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Drama, Thriller
Released: 2024-10-25
Runtime: 120 minutes
Is Conclave worth watching?
Worth watching. Ralph Fiennes oversees the election of a new Pope in a smart, twisty, elegantly shot thriller about faith and politics. It's tense in its quiet way, the cast is excellent, and the ending is divisive.
Watch it if you
- like talky political thrillers
- enjoy great acting
- want a mystery in unusual surroundings
Skip it if you
- want action or violence
- dislike ambiguous or surprising endings
Best for: Smart night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Conclave
- Stream: Starz
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with managing the covert and ancient ritual of electing a new one. Sequestered in the Vatican with the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders until the process is complete, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could lead to its downfall.
Conclave parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Conclave is a PG-rated drama/thriller about a secretive Vatican papal election involving conspiracy and moral tension.
- Violence & scariness: A little — Intense conspiracy-thriller tension but no depicted physical violence indicated.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Conclave
If you liked Conclave, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Two Popes (2019) — 87%: Warm two-hander about the Church and its leaders
- Spotlight (2015) — 87%: Careful drama of institutions and secrets
- The Conversation (1974) — 87%: Quiet paranoid thriller
- The Usual Suspects (1995) — 91%: Twisty thriller with a famous ending
- All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) — 87%: Powerful, serious drama
Director
Cast
- Ralph Fiennes as Lawrence
- Stanley Tucci as Bellini
- John Lithgow as Tremblay
- Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes
- Lucian Msamati as Adeyemi
- Carlos Diehz as Benitez
- Sergio Castellitto as Tedesco
- Brían F. O'Byrne as O'Malley
- Merab Ninidze as Sabbadin
- Thomas Loibl as Mandorff
Conclave FAQ
Is Conclave worth watching?
Worth watching. Ralph Fiennes oversees the election of a new Pope in a smart, twisty, elegantly shot thriller about faith and politics. It's tense in its quiet way, the cast is excellent, and the ending is divisive.
Where can I watch Conclave?
In the US you can stream Conclave on Starz and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Conclave OK for kids?
Conclave is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Conclave is a PG-rated drama/thriller about a secretive Vatican papal election involving conspiracy and moral tension.
What movies are like Conclave?
If you liked Conclave, try The Two Popes, Spotlight, The Conversation and The Usual Suspects.