Following the death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), as Dean of the College of Cardinals, assumes responsibility for arranging the conclave to choose his replacement. While he favors Bellini (Stanley Tucci), a more liberal candidate, other contenders also have significant backing. Adeyami (Lucian Msamati) represents the possibility of Africa’s first pontiff; Tremblay (John Lithgow) is an American with strong ambitions; and Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) embodies formidable conservatism. Just as these men gather, Cardinal Archbishop of Kabul (Carlos Diehz), previously unknown, unexpectedly arrives, setting the stage for a process that exposes the imperfections inherent in many of those assembled. Despite their outward appearance of spirituality, they are essentially politicians, and even Lawrence finds his faith, patience, and loyalties challenged as he uncovers what appears to be a conspiracy—or perhaps multiple conspiracies—and questions whether he is being manipulated or if it’s all merely a distraction. With the 108 cardinals deadlocked in their voting, he worries that the outside world might perceive the church as fractured. Simultaneously, the wider world experiences terrorist attacks that even the Vatican's ancient walls cannot entirely prevent, highlighting the clash between tradition and modernity. I haven’t witnessed Fiennes perform with such impact since *The English Patient* (1996). He effectively portrays a character grappling with internal conflict, particularly as he confronts his own moral dilemmas and spiritual doubts. These deliberations lead him to a difficult decision at the film's conclusion, which felt abrupt and somewhat contrived; it introduced an element that stretched believability within what had been a rather engaging thriller. Isabella Rossellini’s role is minimal and I didn’t feel she contributed much beyond facilitating the development of other, underdeveloped plot elements. Overall, it’s a well-made thriller demonstrating that politicians wearing cassocks and red hats are no less driven when vying for power—a worthwhile viewing experience, though not necessarily an exceptional one.

Source on TMDB