Conclave is now available for audiences to buy or rent digitally–the film will arrive on Blu-ray and DVD on December 17, 2024. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment will release the film on 4K Ultra HD on February 11, 2025. The film–based on the Robert Harris novel–is Edward Berger’s follow-up to the Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front.

Because of scheduling conflicts, I was unable to attend any of the press screenings in October or November. I finally had the opportunity to catch up with the film following its Thanksgiving week digital release. Unfortunately, I found it painfully slow to watch outside of a theatrical environment. It’s possible that watching in a theater might have had a different effect. But to each their own, of course.

Synopsis

CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church.

Bonus Features

• SEQUESTERED: INSIDE CONCLAVE – Enter the mysterious world of CONCLAVE with the cast and filmmakers for a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to raise the curtain on one of the most secretive and secluded processes in the world.
• FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR EDWARD BERGER – Commentary with director Edward Berger

DIRECTOR: Edward Berger
SCREENWRITER: Peter Straughan
CAST: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne, Carlos Diehz, Merab Ninidze, Thomas Loibl, with Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini

Focus Features released Conclave in theaters on October 25, 2024.

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