John Lithgow And Stanley Tucci Had A+ Reactions To Conclave Being Called ‘The Religious Version Of Mean Girls’

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Initially, when the political thriller “Conclave” was released, it bore a striking resemblance to HBO’s “Succession” in terms of the struggle for power in electing a high-ranking position. However, there’s another film that the 2025 Golden Globe-winning movie is surprisingly similar to, and you wouldn’t immediately guess it. The film has been humorously compared to “Conclave” as the “religious version of ‘Mean Girls’,” and the actors John Lithgow and Stanley Tucci have expressed their approval at this comparison.

In simple terms, stating that one of the top movies from 2024 revolves around choosing a new pope might not fully capture its complexity. The film Conclave, for instance, begins with the death of the Pope due to a heart attack, and then the pressure mounts as they strive to elect a successor. However, the process of selecting a new pope in this movie isn’t just a simple election, but rather an intense period filled with political machinations and betrayals, aimed at securing victory for their chosen candidate.

If you can name a fantastic movie from the 2000s that revolves around undercover combat to claim the highest rank in society’s pecking order, which one would you choose? It turns out that Conclave is referred to as the “spiritual counterpart of Mean Girls.” In a humorous video by Variety, actor John Lithgow, playing the character Joseph Tremblay from Canada, enthusiastically approves of this amusing comparison.

It seems everyone agrees with this assessment, and I believe there’s a good deal of truth to it. In essence, people’s inherent desires for more and their feelings of envy and jealousy tend to surface, leading them to turn against one another—especially when they target someone within their own group.

John Lithgow rightly observes that the characters in Conclave may be depicted as engaging in questionable practices to eliminate a candidate, such as exposing secrets and accepting bribes. However, as the actor from 3rd Rock From the Sun points out, these Cardinals are complex individuals with their own factions.

In contrast to the movie “Mean Girls,” which might be a good choice when you’re seeking a laugh, it’s important to note that it contains some less than pleasant events such as boyfriend stealing, manipulation, and using food to make someone gain weight. Initially, Cady Heron sets out to dethrone Regina George for taking her crush, but her intentions shift when she aspires to lead the exclusive group known as the Plastics. Just as the Cardinals have their own guidelines for selecting a pope, the Plastics have their own standards for acceptable behavior and appearance among their members. You can view John Lithgow discussing this further in his interview here: [Interview Link]

It appears that John Lithgow isn’t the sole “Conclave” actor sharing the sentiment of the “Mean Girls” comparisons. In a conversation with Variety, Stanley Tucci, who portrayed American-elect Aldo Bellini, also offered an alternative title for the Critics Choice nominated series during his video interview that mirrors the tone and spirit of “Mean Girls.

It’s Mean Men. Mean Old Men.

Indeed, those characters in Conclave certainly push things too far during the election process! They undermine their opponents by using manipulation and exposing scandals. As a result, their eligibility for candidacy is called into question, as well as their standing at the College of Cardinals. The actions of these religious leaders mirror the ruthless plotting found in Mean Girls, where ambition and control become more important than the noble duty of becoming a respected leader. Take a peek at Stanley Tucci’s humorous comments to Variety on the similarities between the two films below:

[Stanley Tucci’s funny comments can be inserted here if available]

The assessment by Conclave actors John Lithgow and Stanley Tucci that their film is akin to Mean Girls but with a religious twist is quite apt, as both movies revolve around competing ruthlessly to secure the top position. By depicting how reputation, friendships, and scandal are manipulated for power, these films keep audiences hooked on the cunning strategies employed in the struggle for dominance.

You can now watch “Conclave” on your Peacock streaming service. For a blast from the past, don’t forget to check out “Mean Girls” on both Paramount+ and your Amazon Prime Video subscription. Enjoy revisiting the complex social structure of high school cliques!

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2025-01-17 00:10