CONCLAVE was released in 2024 to critical acclaim, which was backed by a plethora of plaudits including eight Oscar nominations.
While the film only took home one of those — the gong for Best Adapted Screenplay — it's still well worth a watch. Here's everything you need to know about where you can catch Conclave.
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Where to watchConclave
Conclaveis a critically-acclaimed thriller that delves into the secretive process of electing a new Pope, offering viewers a gripping look behind the Vatican’s closed doors.
Directed by Edward Berger, the movie has garnered multiple awards on top of its Oscar, including four Baftas, a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award.
The movie is widely available for home viewing on numerous streaming services.
It can be rented or purchased on major platforms including:
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- YouTube: Rent for £3.49 in standard definition and £4.99 in high definition, or buy in high-def for £9.99
- Apple TV: Available to rent from £4.99, or to buy from £13.99
- Amazon Prime Video: Rent from £4.99 or purchase for £13.99 — if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can streamConclaveat no additional cost
And for those who prefer physical copies, the movie is also available to buy on both DVD and Blu-ray.
Main Cast
Ralph Fiennes
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Ralph Fiennes portrays Thomas Lawrence, the dean of the College of Cardinals.
He is tasked with overseeing the conclave and managing the diverse and often conflicting ambitions of the cardinals gathered to elect a new pope.
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His character must navigate a complex web of political intrigue, secrets and shifting alliances as the conclave unfolds.
Stanley Tucci
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Stanley Tucci plays Aldo Cardinal Bellini, the Cardinal Secretary of State.
He's a progressive American candidate deeply involved in the Vatican’s political and diplomatic affairs.
Bellini is a close friend of Lawrence, but the pressures and rivalries of the conclave put their relationship to the test.
John Lithgow
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John Lithgow takes on the role of Joseph Cardinal Tremblay, a leading conservative candidate from Canada.
He is considered a frontrunner for the papacy.
Tremblay is outwardly charming and persuasive, but beneath the surface harbors secrets and ambitions that threaten to unravel his campaign.
Sergio Castellitto
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Sergio Castellitto delivers a powerful performance as Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco.
He is an outspoken and staunchly traditionalist Italian papal candidate.
Tedesco is depicted as the film’s villain, advocating for a hardline return to the Church’s past, even suggesting militant responses to contemporary crises.
Isabella Rossellini
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Isabella Rossellini plays Sister Agnes, the head caterer and housekeeper at Casa Santa Marta, where the cardinals reside during the conclave.
Though her role is largely silent, Sister Agnes wields subtle influence through her observations and quiet authority.
She represents marginalised and often-overlooked voices within the Church.
Shooting locations
The film’s authentic atmosphere is achieved through a combination of studio recreations and on-location shoots — but not at the Vatican itself.
As Conclave screenwriter Peter Straughan explained”: You can't film at the Vatican, ever. We had to come up with alternatives."
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Most interior scenes, including the Sistine Chapel and Casa Santa Marta, were filmed at Cinecittà Studios in Rome.
The Sistine Chapel set was refurbished by local artisans to closely mirror the real location, providing a convincing backdrop for the conclave’s secretive proceedings.
The Royal Palace of Caserta in Italy — a Unesco World Heritage Site — was used for its grand corridors and artwork, doubling for parts of the Vatican and lending the film a sense of opulence and scale.
The Vatican Gardens scenes were filmed at Villa Medici in Rome, with its sweeping views and lush landscaping standing in for the Vatican’s private gardens.
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The production team cleverly concealed the ongoing restoration work with hedges and plants.
While the story is set almost entirely within the Vatican, these Italian locations were chosen to authentically recreate its iconic spaces, blending real-world grandeur with cinematic artistry.
