Edward Berger's ‘Conclave' Rated PG

There have only been six live-action PG-rated films nominated for Best Picture in the last 25 years: “Little Women,” “Hidden Figures,” “Life of Pi,” “Hugo,” “Good Night and Good Luck,” and “Finding Neverland.”

Edward Berger’s “Conclave” might make it seven. The Vatican-set drama, premiering at Telluride and TIFF, has been rated PG for “Thematic material and smoking” by the MPA. The film has been described as a “political thriller.” The story is based on Robert Harris’ novel which, I’m told, has a few twists that might have merited, at the very least, a PG-13 rating.

“Conclave,” which wrapped production in March 2023, stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. Berger directs from a script written by Peter Straughan as an adaptation of Harris’ bestselling novel of the same name.

The film will tackle the papal conclave that elects Popes for the Catholic Church and is being dubbed a “thriller”. Here’s the official synopsis:

“Conclave” follows the secretive process of promoting a new Pope, led by Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) in the Vatican. However, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy as the other cardinals forge factions and rivalries to serve their own ambitions. As ambitions, divisions, and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope is chosen.

Last November, Focus announced that they’d acquired U.S. distribution rights to “Conclave”. The film has been dated for a November 1, 2024, theatrical launch. That’s during the thick of awards season.