when life imitates art
its conclave time
This week on the internet exemplifies why I love pop culture. On Wednesday, Cardinals entered the Vatican to elect a new pope - a process known as a Papal conclave. Whilst very big news for the broader Catholic community, I’d think most of us had NO idea what a conclave was or what it entailed prior to last year’s political thriller Conclave (2024).
So, whilst I am interested to see who the new pope will be, my real interest for the purpose of this newsletter, is the intersection between the film’s release and the real life events happening within months of each other.
A little background on the film - Conclave had its premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in August last year, followed by wider theatrical releases in October and November, but didn’t hit cinemas here in Australia until January this year. It received critical acclaim, with dozens of nominations across award season, including Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Conclave won Best Film at the BAFTAs and Best Adapted Screenplay at The Academy Awards.
After news of Pope Francis’ passing spread, streaming minutes of Conclave went from 1.8 million on April 20th to 6.9 million by the end of April 21st. Conclave also landed on Prime Video in many countries within a day of his passing. As far as I can find, this was purely coincidental as it had been on Peacock previously and the streaming rights were just transferring. Nevertheless, it seems like the news cycle, serendipitous streaming rights and effective algorithms all leant a hand to the 283% rise in viewership. These things are a snowball effect, where suddenly it feels like everyone is watching and YOU’RE missing out. I am almost certain that if this had happened before The Academy Awards, Conclave could have won Best Picture.
In 2020, I remember everyone started watching Contagion (2011), a movie about a viral outbreak that killed millions. The film skyrocketed from 270th most watched Warner Bros film in December 2019 to their 2nd most-watched by March of 2020. Whilst the pandemic to Contagion pipeline was fuelled by more distress, moments like this, and the current Conclave surge, do reveal the ways in which we use fiction to understand the world around us. The value it provides to help people engage with things they don’t understand through an approachable and entertaining lens.
We’re now at the point where reports have revealed that some participating cardinals even watched the movie to prepare for their first papal conclave. Cardinals, they’re just like us!
The bright side is that, whilst the film is of course very dramatised, many have confirmed that the details of the process are fairly accurate. That means when I saw reports of black smoke yesterday, I said “ah yes, they have not reached a majority on the first vote.” If you haven’t yet familiarised yourself, I do recommend renting Conclave. If nothing else, its well-made and riveting. Balancing the thriller-drama style with quieter meditations on faith and dogma.
A Complete Unknown (2024) is now streaming on Disney+ if you were wanting to see Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan.
Thunderbolts* (2025)
Film
In Cinemas
THEY’VE DONE IT!!!!! Marvel has redeemed themselves and made it into the recommendations section. Thunderbolts* is led by Florence Pugh’s Yelena/Black Widow, and supported by Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier among a rag-tag group of anti-heroes who are forced to work together, after realising they’ve been sent to kill each other. As I mentioned last week, the MCU is at its best with characters we can truly care about and less of the silly multiverse-ing, and despite being an ensemble film, Thunderbolts* cohesively tells a story of disillusion, shame and loneliness underpinned by some great one liners and fight scenes. It felt genuinely refreshing, and like there was a purpose again, found through emotional stakes, character connections and reluctant unity - reminiscent of The Avengers (2012) first team up. If you’ve been disenfranchised by the MCU, this is one to revisit in a crowded cinema surrounded by fellow hopeful fans.
The Rehearsal (2022)
TV Series
Max
A comedy docu-series created by Nathan Fielder, where his fictionalised persona helps people to rehearse for situations that they might be nervous about by creating sets and hiring actors to play out different outcomes with them. Fielder has a VERY specific sense of humour, which you may be familiar with from Nathan For You (2013), in which he predominantly helped struggling business owners through outlandish and satirical schemes. Fielder is the perfect example of using comedy to commentate on the world, in this case about the nature of anxiety and uncertainty - our desperate desire to have control and predictability over situations - and the futility of rehearsing for real life. You will need to embrace the absolute cringe and second hand embarrassment, but if you’re strong enough the results are very funny. Season 2 is now releasing weekly on Max after a few years off.
The Northman (2022)
Film
Netflix
I watched this when it was in cinemas, and was reminded how enjoyable it was when I saw it pop up on Netflix finally. With an all-star cast of Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke and, of course, Willem Dafoe shows up to be a silly weirdo. The talented ensemble cast brings the Swedish folklore story of Amleth to life, which happened to be the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. So, if you’re familiar with that tragedy, you know what to expect from this film - a classic tale of killing an uncle to avenge a father and save a mother. Except with Vikings! A barbaric myth, shot and scored into a beautiful looking epic.
This is also directed by Robert Eggers, so if you enjoyed the stylistic choices of his other films (Nosferatu (2024), The Lighthouse (2019), The Witch (2015)), this is worth checking out.
Hope you have a lovely weekend! You can subscribe to get this in your inbox every week right here:
I was in high school when the Avengers came,
Linley x
