If you loved
Conclave
Edward Berger · Film · 2024
If Conclave captivated you, it is because you crave stories where power vacuums turn private chambers into high-stakes battlegrounds of manipulation and moral decay.
Books on the same thread
London Match
Len Deighton · Book · 1993
Just as Conclave dissects the betrayal hidden behind religious robes, this novel exposes the cold, calculated treachery of agents operating within the shadows of the highest political offices.
Alex Cross
James Patterson · Book · 1993
Much like the conspiracy that threatens the church in Conclave, this story features an outsider fighting against a vast, corrupt system designed to keep the truth buried and dark.
The Casual Vacancy
J.K. Rowling · Book · 2012
The unexpected death in Conclave triggers a desperate scramble for control, a dynamic mirrored here as a small town unravels into chaos following the sudden vacancy of a local seat.
Missing Joseph
Elizabeth George · Book · 1993
The search for truth following a sudden clerical death in Conclave finds a parallel here, where a personal journey of discovery leads to the uncovering of deep-seated, painful secrets.
Series on the same thread
The Young Pope
Paolo Sorrentino · Series · 2016
This series offers the same claustrophobic intensity found in Conclave, focusing on the volatile power dynamics and moral struggles inherent in leading the most secretive institution on the planet.
Gangs of London
Gareth Evans · Series · 2020
The power vacuum that defines the central tension of Conclave is central here, as the death of a leader forces a dangerous succession struggle within a closed, secretive hierarchy.
The New Pope
Paolo Sorrentino · Series · 2020
Building on the themes of tradition and corruption explored in Conclave, this series examines the complex interplay between spiritual authority and the modern political maneuvering required to hold power.
Podcasts on the same thread
To Live and Die in LA
Tenderfoot TV & Audacy · Podcast · 2023
The journalistic pursuit of systemic corruption in this investigation echoes the way Cardinal Lawrence must peel back layers of deceit to understand the true nature of his environment in Conclave.
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
If the moral complexity of Conclave held your attention, you will appreciate this look at how one man's obsession with local rot exposes the hidden, darker realities of an insular community.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Conclave based on a true story about a specific Pope?
Conclave is a fictional film directed by Edward Berger regarding the election of a new Pope following an unexpected death. While it depicts the ancient rituals of the Vatican, the narrative and the specific characters involved in this conspiracy are not based on a real historical event.
What is the central conflict in Conclave?
The central conflict in Conclave follows Cardinal Lawrence as he manages the covert ritual of electing a new Pope. While sequestered in the Vatican with the church's most powerful leaders, he discovers a conspiracy that threatens to cause the downfall of the Catholic Church.
Does Conclave take place entirely within the Vatican?
Yes, Conclave is set within the Vatican. After the Pope dies, the cardinals are sequestered inside the walls to perform the ancient ritual of electing his successor. The film focuses on the intense pressure and hidden agendas that emerge among the leaders during this period of isolation.
Who is the protagonist of Conclave?
The protagonist of Conclave is Cardinal Lawrence. He is tasked with managing the secret and complex process of electing a new Pope. As he oversees the proceedings, he becomes the primary figure navigating the dangerous conspiracy that develops among the powerful leaders gathered for the vote.