24 Comments
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Sophia Mazzella's avatar

This is such a phenomenal review. I've been trying to put this idea into words for weeks when recommending Conclave to people but you explained it perfectly. It's catnip for gays raised catholic who love to see the queens battle it out.

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amelia's avatar

YES. as someone who was raised catholic, I watched conclave and was like, “absolutely yes, the DRAMA, the THEATRICS, the cunty atmosphere, it’s all here.” catholicism is campy and dramatic. sorry protestants

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Emi Eleode's avatar

This was my thought too as a fellow, yet not really practising anymore Catholic. A very engrossing watch that Machiavelli would be proud of

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Emily Merriweather's avatar

I love your movie reviews.

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Jack's avatar

Have you ever watched Chinese palace drama? Because that is literally what you just described when you said "I love films set in worlds of strict uniformity, because it’s against such strict uniformity that even slight deviations hold enormous power." The girlies are killing each other over the slightest deviation in the norm of the inner palace, where the eunuchs are encouraging their gossips from the sideline.

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Amelia Schmidt's avatar

I haven't watched it yet, but only because my Catholic-raised psyche has convinced me delayed gratification will make it that much better.

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Alex (they/them)'s avatar

I think I, too, love stories about navigating worlds full of rules. It explains why I get such a kick out of The Crown and Better Call Saul. Watching people hold serious conversations in corridors while trying to advance to the next rung of power is catnip for me!

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Caitlin Schudalla's avatar

Brilliant.

Still at Catholic church every Sunday JUST to be part of the pageantry (I'm in the choir lol) with the rowdy, deviant musicians and gays. Also obsessed with rigid-rules period dramas, sensing a theme here.

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Gabby Gillespie's avatar

this just unlocked something for me in why i specifically love romance novels that involve arranged marriages, political matches, etc.....its the rules

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SB's avatar

as an ex-catholic, I'm an easy sell for movies with Pope or exorcism/exorcist in the title

I haven't seen Conclave yet and this made me so excited to watch! thank you!

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Pierre's avatar

This exceptional review is dedicated to all the little gay boys who play chess and like to follow rules.

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Sailor St. Claire's avatar

As an ex-Catholic and a professional burlesque dancer, Conclave was absolute catnip to me. Catholicism is already the most sensual and kinky of religions (we love hot bods and rope play, am I right?), and also one of the most aesthetically opulent. I mean! There was a WHOLE MET GALA ABOUT IT! Watching these catty bitches slink around in their cunty little outfits scheming to become Pope absolutely gave me life.

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Sophie Blackshaw's avatar

Smashing review.

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vitajexjexjex's avatar

This is such an elevation of the art of the movie review. I’m both moved and impressed. Thank you for this!

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Liz Kashi's avatar

Loved reading this review and agree wholeheartedly with the message. I watched Conclave on a plane and was glued to my seat every second, from opening credits to closing credits. Cinematic gold.

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Edie V's avatar

I also too enjoyed this review very much!

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Matt's avatar

I liked this review and it made me like the movie marginally more so thank you ❤️

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