What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedConclave
Edward Berger · Film · 2024
If you loved Conclave, start with The Young Pope (Paolo Sorrentino, 2016) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Conclave across media.
What hooked you in Conclave is the way high-stakes institutional power struggles reveal the fragile, deeply human motivations behind ancient, secretive systems.
Books on the same thread
The Waiting
Michael Connelly · Book · 2024
Explores: Cold case investigation, Law enforcement partnership, Justice.
Just as Conclave exposes the procedural intensity of the Vatican, this investigation demands that same focus on how legacy and justice are maneuvered within rigid, established professional hierarchies.
Bellevue
Robin Cook · Book · 2024
Explores: Medical conspiracy, Hospital setting, Ethical dilemmas.
If the moral dilemmas of Conclave kept you guessing, you will appreciate this dive into medical ethics where secrets hidden within a powerful institution threaten to destroy everything.
Hope Rises
David Baldacci · Book · 2026
Shares a thread with Conclave: Political Thriller.
This thriller mirrors the high-stakes political maneuvering found in Conclave, forcing you to navigate a world where covert operations and moral ambiguity dictate the fate of the nation.
Pray For Him
Tyler Battaglia · Book · 2024
Explores: Possession, Faith vs. Doubt, Friendship.
If the cinematic intensity of Conclave left you wanting more, this podcast provides the expert analysis needed to unpack the complex directorial choices and narrative stakes of the film.
Series on the same thread
The Young Pope
Paolo Sorrentino · Series · 2016
Explores: faith and doubt, power dynamics, corruption.
This series serves as the definitive companion to Conclave, exploring the exact same Vatican power dynamics and the intense spiritual crisis that follows the appointment of a new Pope.
The New Pope
Paolo Sorrentino · Series · 2020
Explores: Faith and Doubt, Power and Corruption, Existentialism.
Building on the papal succession themes of Conclave, this sequel deepens the examination of tradition versus modernity, showing how leadership shifts alter the very soul of the Catholic Church.
Shōgun
Rachel Kondo · Series · 2024
Shares a thread with Conclave: Power Struggle.
The intricate power struggles that define Conclave are mirrored in this historical epic, where political survival depends on outmaneuvering rivals within a closed, highly ritualized and dangerous society.
Podcasts on the same thread
Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Conclave: Political Thriller.
Much like the investigative tension in Conclave, this series uncovers the rot behind political institutions, proving that the threat of systemic collapse is a constant, terrifying historical reality.
The Big Picture
Podcast
Explores: Hollywood, Awards Season, Film Criticism.
If Conclave hit, The Big Picture shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Conclave based on a true story about a specific Pope?
Conclave is a fictional film directed by Edward Berger about the process of electing a new Pope. It depicts the covert rituals and conspiracies surrounding a fictional vacancy in the Vatican rather than portraying a specific historical event or a real-life Pope.
What is the primary conflict in Conclave?
In Conclave, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with managing the election of a new Pope following an unexpected death. While sequestered with powerful Church leaders, he discovers a conspiracy that threatens the stability and future of the Catholic Church from within its own ranks.
Does Conclave focus on the entire Vatican hierarchy?
The narrative of Conclave centers on the sequestered group of the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders. Cardinal Lawrence manages the ancient ritual of the election while navigating the tensions and secret agendas held by these high-ranking officials during their time locked inside the Vatican.
How does Cardinal Lawrence influence the events in Conclave?
Cardinal Lawrence is responsible for managing the covert ritual of electing a new Pope in Conclave. As he oversees the process, he finds himself at the center of a dangerous conspiracy, forcing him to navigate the internal politics and power struggles of the Church leaders present.