ConclaveScreenwriter Reacts to Megyn Kelly Calling the Film 'Anti-Catholic': 'I Don't Think' So

Mar. 15, 2025

From L: Peter Straughan at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on Jan. 5, 2025; Ralph Fiennes inConclave(2024); Megyn Kelly in New York City on Feb. 29, 2024.Photo:JC Olivera/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty; Courtesy of Focus Features; Dia Dipasupil/Getty

JC Olivera/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty; Courtesy of Focus Features; Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Note: The following article contains spoilers forConclave, now streaming on Peacock.

ConclavescreenwriterPeter Straughanis reacting toMegyn Kellyrecently bashing the film as “anti-Catholic.”

“I haven’t seen that,” Straughan, 56, told reporters of Kelly’s “anti-Catholic” quote specifically, but added, “I don’t think the film is anti-Catholic.”

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Peter Straughan at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on Jan. 5, 2025.CBS

CBS

The drama, which is gettingOscarbuzz andwas nominated forsix Golden Globes, starsRalph Fiennes,Stanley Tucci,John Lithgow,Isabella Rosselliniand more.

Inher X post, former Fox News host Kelly, 54, wrote that she “made the huge mistake” of watching “the much-celebrated"Conclave. She slammed it as “the most disgusting anti-Catholic film I have seen in a long time.”

“Shame on Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci & John Lithgow for starring in it & shame on director Edward Berger (among others),” she continued. " ‘Spoiler:’ They make THE POPE INTERSEX! This is the big exciting twist at the end. I wish I had known so I wouldn’t have watched it.”

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Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci inConclave(2024).Courtesy of Focus Features

Courtesy of Focus Features

Kelly went on to write that “there are almost no redeeming characters in the movie - every cardinal is morally bankrupt/repulsive. The only exception of course is the intersex pope (who — surprise! — has female reproductive parts) & the cardinal who keeps her secret — bc of course that kind of Catholic secret-keeping must be lionized.”

She concluded, “I’m disgusted. What a thing to release to streaming just in time for Christmas. They would never do this to Muslims, but Christians/Catholics are always fair game to mock/belittle/smear.”

Bergertold Yahoo Entertainmentin October that he didn’t make the film as a “takedown of the Catholic Church.” Instead, he “tried to portray … the characters in the movie as humans."

Disagreement on the subject matter is a “good thing,” he added: “In the end, if there were controversy, I never think it’s bad. I invite that. I love that. We’ve lost the ability to argue with each other without fighting each other. And if everyone has a different opinion and a different feeling, that’s a good thing."

Conclaveis now streaming on Peacock.

source: people.com