Conclave: Edward Berger’s political thriller is set during the mysterious election of a new pope. Adapted from Robert Harris’ book, it focuses less on the human drama of those deeply involved with the process and more on the process itself, creating a thriller with all sorts of twists. The film is a competent example of the genre but over-plotted. Ralph Fiennes plays the protagonist, the cardinal close to the dead pontiff responsible for the conclave process; the role, like most of them, is underwritten, but the performance is as good as it can be within those limitations. Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Sergio Castellitto play some of the leading candidates, all efficient but not quite memorable; the same can be said of Isabella Rossellini, a nun close to the process. The film is well done, with good costume (by Lisy Christl) and production (by Suzie Davies) designs; cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine captures it nicely. Editor Nick Emerson gives the film a propulsive energy, assisted by composer Volker Bertelmann’s musical score.