Faith, Death, and Drama: An Interview on the Film "Conclave" Faith, mortality, and vengeful vaping: among this year’s Oscar hopefuls, Conclave shines as the one that masterfully blends probing religious themes with a touch of theatrical side-eye. Based on Robert Harris’s novel, screenwriter Peter Straughan, known for Wolf Hall, collaborates with Edward Berger of All Quiet on the Western Front fame to direct this power-driven tale of faith, politics, and human frailty. Ralph Fiennes