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The Two Popes

The Two Popes

2019

PG-13

Director

Fernando Meirelles

Runtime

125 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio requests permission to retire in 2012 from Pope Benedict. Instead, facing scandal and self-doubt, the introspective Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to reveal a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.8/10

Fair

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Limited

The film focuses on theological friction between two men within a patriarchal hierarchy. It lacks explicit queer-coded arcs, reflecting a traditional, heteronormative institutional setting.

Gender Representation

Minimal

The narrative operates within a male-dominated Vatican hierarchy. It reinforces traditional gender structures by omitting female agency and centering almost all character conflict on male figures.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The story acknowledges the Church's global nature through Cardinal Bergoglio. This character introduces perspectives from the Global South, challenging Eurocentric dominance and post-colonial themes.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The film deconstructs the Church as a complex, flawed entity rather than a monolith. It promotes moral relativism by prioritizing mercy and situational ethics over rigid dogma.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There are no significant depictions of visible or invisible disabilities that drive the plot or serve as central character traits.

Strengths

  • The film effectively critiques rigid, traditional religious power structures.
  • It introduces a globalized perspective by highlighting the shift toward the Global South.
  • The narrative promotes empathy and mercy over strict, dogmatic adherence to law.

Areas for Improvement

  • The film lacks female agency and presence within its historical setting.
  • There is a notable absence of explicit LGBTQ+ representation or character arcs.
  • The narrative remains heavily centered on a male-dominated, patriarchal hierarchy.

AI Analysis

The film is a sophisticated study of institutional transition rather than a showcase of demographic variety. It succeeds by using its historical setting to critique the rigidity of traditional power structures. By framing the shift toward a more globalized leadership, it offers a progressive thematic evolution. However, the film's commitment to historical accuracy limits its breadth of representation. The patriarchal nature of the Vatican results in a significant lack of female and LGBTQ+ presence. The narrative remains largely confined to a Western, male-centric perspective. Ultimately, the work trades direct demographic inclusivity for thematic depth. It challenges the absolute authority of religious institutions, replacing dogma with a more nuanced, empathetic framework of leadership.

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Featured in

  • Best Religious & Cultural Representation in Film
  • Religious & Cultural Representation in Drama
  • Religious & Cultural Representation in Historical Film

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