Is this critically acclaimed film the most entertaining psychological thriller of 2024?

“We are about to elect the most famous man in the world,” explains Ralph Fiennes’ Cardinal Thomas Lawrence dramatically in the new trailer conclaveEdward Berger’s psychological thriller from Focus Features.

After the Pope’s unexpected death, Lawrence is tasked with organizing the Conclave – the gathering of cardinals whose job it is to elect a new Pope. The cardinals meet at the Vatican to choose the next head of the Catholic Church. However, Lawrence discovers a shocking secret about the former pope that affects several potential successors. “These secrets could shake the foundations of the Church,” says the official summary.

When Lawrence says the conclave is not a war, Stanley Tucci’s Cardinal Bellini states emphatically, “It is a war, and you have to take a side.”

conclave The ensemble also stars John Lithgow as Cardinal Tremblay, Sergio Castellitto as Cardinal Tedesco and Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes.

conclave is Berger’s highly anticipated follow-up to All Quiet on the Western Front. The German film about World War I won four Oscars, including Best International Feature Film and Best Cinematography. conclave is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. Peter Straughan, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, wrote the screenplay for conclave.

conclave premiered at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival and received an overwhelmingly positive response. The papal drama is on track to enter the 2025 Oscars. Two-time Oscar nominee Fiennes is the favorite to win Best Actor in Gold Derby. conclave It is also expected to compete in the Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Tucci), Best Supporting Actress (Rossellini) and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.

conclave will be in theaters on October 25, 2024.