Movie review
October 25, 2024 · 120 min · PG
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
The story builds to electing an intersex cardinal as Pope and presents it as a triumphant win for God’s will, doubt, and tolerance. The new Pope declares “I am what God made me” while existing between biological certainties and keeps the secret with the main character’s blessing. Traditionalist cardinals get painted as racist bigots who lose because of their views on gender, immigration, and doctrine. The narrative constantly lectures that certainty is the great enemy and pushes progressive inclusivity as the solution for the Church. Queer identity twist sits at the center of the climax and public debate.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Conclave.
Woke representation / casting
intersex cardinal elected Pope uses visible gender-identity representation to challenge Church norms
Woke political dialogue
dialogue hammers doubt as virtue and certainty plus tradition as sin
Identity-driven story themes
core climax celebrates intersex Pope as divine progress against binary biology and rules
Western institutional / cultural critique
film attacks Catholic patriarchy, doctrinal certainty, and conservative cardinals as bigoted obstacles to reform
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
major Catholic backlash over intersex Pope and progressive messaging
Creator track record context
writer’s lapsed-Catholic focus on doubt adds mild context; no activist pattern for director or producers
Production
