April 14, 2026, 2:55 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Pope Francis is dead, and soon the search for his successor will begin. If you want to know how this process works, you should stream the film “Conclave.”
Since yesterday, Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the Catholic world has come to a standstill. Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 from the effects of a stroke, as reported by sources such as the “Welt.” Therefore, the search for a new head of the Catholic Church will soon begin. To gain insight into this process, interested parties can stream the film “Conclave.” It’s worth it.
This is what “Conclave” is about
Those who stream “Conclave” get exactly what the title promises. In the drama, the pope’s death triggers the main storyline, during which the election of a successor is on the agenda. Eligible cardinals from around the world travel to the Vatican to participate in the process. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is supposed to lead the election but has his hands full with his colleagues.
The papal election is also a good opportunity to gain influence and power. Different factions quickly form, and Lawrence must mediate between them. Meanwhile, the outside world doesn’t stand still and one day tears down the traditional walls with full force…
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Where you can stream “Conclave”
The directorial work of native German Edward Berger is still a relatively new piece. It was released in German cinemas at the end of November 2024 and subsequently played a significant role in the so-called awards season, the season of prestigious award ceremonies. With a budget of an estimated 20 million U.S. dollars according to IMDb and a worldwide gross of around 116 million, “Conclave” is not a blockbuster. However, it can still be considered a commercial success.
If you missed it in theaters, you can catch up anytime. “Conclave” is available to stream on popular platforms like Amazon Prime Video, MagentaTV, the Sky Store, or Apple TV. The only downside is that currently, viewers can only rent or buy it for a fee. The film is not yet available in any subscription. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes part of a streaming subscription.
“Conclave” is highly recommended
Whether with or without an extra fee, watching “Conclave” is worthwhile. Not only do you get an impression of how the papal election works, where cardinals completely isolate themselves from the outside world until the election result is announced, but Berger’s film also functions as an exciting political thriller with plenty of intrigue.
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Veteran stars like Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci carry the story on their shoulders, and the music provides continuous subtle tension. Critics and audiences alike were impressed: On Metacritic, “Conclave” has an average score of a very good 79 out of 100 points, while on Rotten Tomatoes, a strong 93 percent of all professional reviews and 86 percent of fan ratings are positive. Additionally, it received eight Oscar nominations, winning for best adapted screenplay.