Overview
A powerful exploration of faith and forgiveness unfolds behind Vatican walls.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- intimate
- thoughtful
- thoughtful movie night
- historical drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the well-matched lead performances and the film's ability to draw engaging, humorous, emotionally resonant drama from a pivotal transition in modern Catholic leadership.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Benedict and Bergoglio are presented as conflicted men with doubts, regrets, and contrasting temperaments rather than as distant symbols.
The Vatican encounters are structured around arguments over tradition, progress, guilt, forgiveness, and the church's future.
Much of the central relationship unfolds in private rooms and corridors within the Vatican, turning sacred architecture into a setting for personal disclosure.
Both men confront whether personal limitations and past decisions are compatible with the demands of leading a global church.
Films like The Two Popes, and why
The Death of Stalin
shared historical drama, institutional conflict, and morally serious dialogue-driven storytelling
Darkest Hour
shared biographical drama, political institution, and acclaimed ensemble performances
The King's Speech
shared intimate historical drama about powerful figures confronting guilt, duty, and personal conviction
Doubt
shared faith-centered drama, spiritual doubt, and emotionally searching conversations
Movie Details
- Director
- Fernando Meirelles
- Release Date
- 2019-11-27
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (3233)
Cast
- Jonathan Pryce
- Anthony Hopkins
- Juan Minujín
- Luis Gnecco
- Cristina Banegas
- María Ucedo
- Renato Scarpa
- Sidney Cole
- Achille Brugnini
- Federico Torre
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Two Popes about?
- Two sharply different Catholic leaders confront institutional crisis, personal guilt, and the possibility of reconciliation behind Vatican walls.
- What is The Two Popes like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Two Popes as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Two Popes violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Two Popes as mild.
- What did critics think of The Two Popes?
- Critics broadly praised the well-matched lead performances and the film's ability to draw engaging, humorous, emotionally resonant drama from a pivotal transition in modern Catholic leadership.
- Which films are like The Two Popes?
- Films with a similar feel include The Death of Stalin, Darkest Hour, The King's Speech, and Doubt.
- How long is The Two Popes?
- The Two Popes runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Two Popes?
- In United States, The Two Popes streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
