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Conclave

Conclave

2024

PG

Director

Edward Berger

Runtime

120 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with managing the covert and ancient ritual of electing a new one. Sequestered in the Vatican with the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders until the process is complete, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could lead to its downfall.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.2/10

Fair

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film operates within a strictly heteronormative and cisnormative ecclesiastical framework. It lacks LGBTQ+ characters, non-cisnormative identities, or depictions of same-sex intimacy.

Gender Representation

Limited

The central power structure is an exclusively male domain, reinforcing patriarchal leadership models. Women appear only in peripheral roles and lack the agency to influence the central plot.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

The narrative disrupts Eurocentric tropes by casting a diverse cohort of Cardinals from North American, African, and various European identities. This reflects the rising influence of the Global South.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film critiques traditional Western institutions by portraying the Church as a fallible human institution. It explores the tension between historical dogma and the complexities of modern morality.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no significant representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. The focus remains almost exclusively on the psychological and political states of the high-ranking clergy.

Strengths

  • Successfully depicts the globalized nature of modern institutions through a diverse cohort of international Cardinals.
  • Provides a profound critique of traditional Western institutions and the fallibility of religious dogma.
  • Effectively uses the clergy as a metaphor for post-colonial shifts in institutional power.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks meaningful representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the primary cast.
  • Reinforces patriarchal models by excluding women from the central decision-making processes.
  • Fails to include LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisnormative identities within the narrative.

AI Analysis

Conclave offers a sophisticated look at the friction between historical hegemony and global modernity. It succeeds in deconstructing institutional power by presenting a Church that is diverse in its ethnic makeup, reflecting a post-colonial shift in religious leadership. However, the film is heavily constrained by its setting. The narrative adheres to rigid, traditional hierarchies that exclude women from decision-making and offer no representation for LGBTQ+ or disabled individuals. This creates a narrow focus on a patriarchal, clerical world. Ultimately, the film is a study of systemic vulnerability. While it excels at portraying the globalized nature of modern institutions, its refusal to move beyond traditional gender and identity structures limits its overall inclusivity.

How are these scores produced? →

Featured in

  • Best Religious & Cultural Representation in Film

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Diversity score: 6.7 out of 10

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