The Vatican is a place that’s known to be shrouded in secrecy, and the sudden death of a pope leads to an intense and hardly known process to re-elect another spiritual leader. Edward Berger’s political thriller, Conclave, takes us behind the doors of this procedure, in a world of alliances and betrayals.
With a stellar cast like Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, Berger brought Robert Harris’ 2016 novel to life. But the twist in the end has sparked a conversation, and even experts have weighed in their opinion.
Understanding Conclave’s shocking climax and Megyn Kelly’s disapproval
In Conclave, the College of Cardinals has to elect a new pope, and Cardinal Thomas Lawrence is the dean who is tasked with overseeing this process. The candidates put forth a spectrum of ideologies, like being liberal, conservative, traditional, or moderate.
Each of them brings their own ambitions and secrets to the conclave, and this is the crux of the narrative. Their agendas set the stage for political maneuvering and moral dilemmas. But with the unexpected arrival of Archbishop Vincent Benitez, things begin to shuffle. Many scandals and revelations come to life, exposing the vulnerabilities and imperfections of the frontrunners.
In the climax, a terrorist attack on the Vatican intensifies the urgency of the conclave. They elect Benitez as the chosen successor, who later reveals to Lawrence about being intersex, possessing both male and female reproductive organs.
The ending forces both the audience and Lawrence to think deeply about identity, faith, and the essence of spiritual authority. However, public figures like Megyn Kelly who is a journalist and attorney, have expressed their strong dislike towards the film.
Experts weigh in on Conclave’s controversial ending
The film’s ending sparked debates among critics, audiences, and scholars alike. The Director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, David Gibson, spoke to GQ and acknowledged the film’s intrigue, but he did criticize the ending and said:
Yes, an intersex person could be elected pope, just as there have undoubtedly been gay men elected pope. It’s not clear what it would mean though, and I think that’s a real weakness in the film. Robert Harris, it seems, wanted to make a statement about gender and the Catholic Church, which is fine.
But it is less a statement than a Rubik’s Cube. Does the new pope identify as male or female? Does having characteristics of both sexes mean that they can’t be ordained, or become pope? Would such an election be invalid? These become angels-dancing-on-pinhead discussions that distract from the more important issues.
According to Gibson, the twist aims to address issues of gender and inclusivity within the Church, but it leaves us with more questions than it answers, sort of like a “Rubik’s Cube.”
He suggests that the ending doesn’t fully explore the ideas introduced in the plot, and the conversations that truly matter are sidelined. But despite these critiques, Conclave has been praised for its engaging narrative, performances, and attention to detail.
You can watch Conclave on Peacock.
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