Following the Pope’s death, Cardinal-Dean Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with the running of the sacred conclave where the College of Cardinals will vote for his successor. As key candidates vie for power, secrets will be revealed that could undermine the Catholic Church forever.

Conclave is a thoroughly absorbing grown up drama. Director Edward Berger’s previous film was the superb All Quiet On The Western Front (Im Westen nichts Neues) and Conclave shows again his mastery of a multi-language ensemble cast delivering a meaningful and powerful plot.

The focus here is on the political manoeuvring and power seeking behaviours of allegedly righteous men whose religion should preach love and forgiveness, not control for the sake of it. The key candidates cover the gamut of the political spectrum. Aldo Bellini (Stanley Tucci) claims that he does not seek power, but that he is a liberal and forward thinker that is opposed to the hard line traditionalist Goffredo Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) who wants the Church to return to much older values. Joshua Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) is a social conservative and is anti-homosexuality whilst Joseph Temblay (John Lithgow) is a moderate. And then of course there is Lawrence, a man struggling with a crisis of faith but who understands the importance of the solemn task he has been given. Without seeking votes he finds himself receiving them.

Once we have met and familiarised ourselves with our key players the secrets start to unfurl. Beginning with an unknown member of the College of Cardinals arriving to take his place in the voting group and causing intrigue amongst its members.

The script from Peter Straughan based on the Robert Harris novel is gripping whilst the acting group are all pitch perfect. The male dominated group is augmented by Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes whose small role is vital in revealing some of the powerplays between the Cardinals. Berger manages to balance the austere traditions of the church with Machiavellian manoeuvring behind the scenes and beautiful imagery.

Conclave is a deeply enjoyable drama movie put together like a precision timepiece.