Pop Culture Happy Hour Conclave
23 snips
Apr 23, 2025 
Aisha Harris, an arts journalist and pop culture enthusiast, and Waylon Wong, co-host of NPR's The Indicator, dive into the Oscar-nominated film 'Conclave.' They discuss its thrilling take on the papal selection process and its humorous yet poignant commentary on the Catholic Church. The duo critiques the film’s depth in character development and reflects on how it balances tradition with modernity. Expect insights on themes of faith, ambition, and engaging storytelling that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
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Conclave's surprising appeal
- The film 'Conclave' offers a clever blend of political thriller and mystery wrapped in the Catholic Church's secretive pope selection process.
- It balances tension with dark humor and delivers strong performances, making it surprisingly engaging despite initial skepticism.
Vatican as political thriller
- The movie uses the Vatican setting to explore intrigue, factions, and secrets in a claustrophobic, tense political environment.
- It manages to be a smart, tense drama with moments of levity, avoiding heavy-handedness.
Vatican rituals fuel campy fun
- The film embraces the Vatican's extravagant rituals and pageantry to create an entertaining and campy atmosphere.
- Despite the fun, some viewers felt the film’s payoff was less satisfying than its intriguing parts.
