Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci revel in the ritual and intrigue surrounding the process of choosing a new pontiff, in this tantalisingly tense Vatican-set drama.

The Pope has died. Cardinal Lawrence must lead the Conclave to select the new leader of the Catholic world. But as high-ranking cardinals gather, he discovers sides have been drawn and secrets that might destroy a future pope, perhaps even the Church itself, threaten to be revealed. Following his Oscar-winning success with All Quiet on the Western Front, Edward Berger presents us with another tale of conflict, albeit one where battles are waged in hushed tones in hallowed hallways. Fiennes, Tucci and John Lithgow make the most of Peter Straughan’s (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) screenplay, based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, albeit with Isabella Rossellini almost stealing the film as the formidable Sister Agnes.

Rita is a smart, undervalued lawyer dreaming of the day she’ll stop working for a firm more interested in profiting from criminals than bringing them to justice. One day, she is unceremoniously hired by a cartel boss, who enlists her help in undergoing gender affirming surgery in order to live as their true self. Years later, a deep friendship blossoms between them when Rita helps Emilia reunite with her family. Audiard brings his fearless directorial flair to this musical fantasy, which is operatic in both scope and emotion. Terrific central performances by Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Adriana Paz and Selena Gomez help make it a touching story of redemption and love.

Desperate to secure her fading celebrity status, Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), undergoes a black-market medical procedure that promises self-actualization, but culminates in the spawning of Sue (Margaret Qualley), a bold and brash clone of her younger self that perpetuates its existence via weekly spinal taps. The pair are warned to respect their new symbiotic relationship or risk corrosive consequences. But as Sue starts reserving more time in the limelight at the behest of a slimeball executive (Dennis Quaid) and her own growing ambition, Sparkle is soon faced with an existential threat, one that engenders a wicked feud with her tulpa and a knock-down, drag-out battle to reclaim her autonomy.