Conclave - The scoop and digest

Based on Robert Harris' 2016 novel of same name, taut mystery thriller is written by Peter Straughan and directed by Edward Berger.

Ralph Fiennes - Lawrence

Jacek Koman - Wozniak

Lucian Msamati - Adeyemi

Stanley Tucci - Bellini

John Lithgow - Tremblay

Sergio Castellitto - Tedesco

Carlos Diehz - Benitez

Summary

Following the Pope dying of a suspected heart attack, the responsibility for the conclave falls on Cardinal Thomas Lawrence.

Three weeks later at the Vatican, the unexpected arrival of Mexican Vincent Benitez, Archbishop of Kabul, gets tongues wagging.

It's revealed the Pope secretly appointed Benitez using a legitimate procedure known as 'in pectore'.

With no candidate achieving the necessary majority of 72 votes, election spans multiple days.

During which, Lawrence finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy, casting a cloud of corruption over the Catholic Church.

The abyss calls out 

Forget the absurdity of Angels & Demons, this was great.

Excellent performances, superb cinematography, a haunting score and an intelligent script guarantees compelling entertainment.

While not really a whodunnit, hushed conversations reek of skulduggery and providing you haven't read the book, final twist hits with a sledgehammer.

Source material is immaculately observed and only Fiennes' character is changed, originally Jacopo Baldassare Lomeli.