So preface - I loooove the movie so i was very excited to read the book. And the first 80% I liked just as much!! I loved getting the little minutiae that translated to the screen as setting/production design - since you have to write it all out on page it felt like I was getting a more in-depth look. However movie Benitez knocks book Benitez out the park — don’t get me wrong he STAYS being my favorite character but I was actually shocked at how mid his speech (

you know, the one that won him the PAPACY

) was compared to how hard he aaaate in the movie. It feels like in the book

he became pope because everyone else was disgusted by Tedesco but mad af at Lomeli — therefore the most “pleasantly agreeable” candidate, the pure one (the innocent one? Hahahaha)

whereas in the movie it happens because

he genuinely represents a brighter future for the church going forward, and wins not because others’ scandals bring them down until he’s the only option left but because he genuinely is the best man for the job in that college of cardinals

. However I still really enjoyed reading this! As for best adapted screenplay?? For me it’s still Nickel Boys, easy — both films really do elevate their (already great!!) source material but I think Nickel Boys just does it in a more interesting way. That said would not be mad at a Conclave win. Cardinal

Benitez

if you’re reading this the Catholics lowkey need you