Netflix has quietly released 'In the Hand of Dante' in select cinemas today, though you might not realize it given the film's harsh reception at the Venice Film Festival last year. Director Julian Schnabel's latest project, which spent 15 years in development, unfortunately fails to deliver a masterpiece. Similar to Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' in 2024, this film feels like a veteran filmmaker given free rein to produce an overly indulgent and often incomprehensible piece that attempts to tackle major themes but leaves audiences baffled.
Star-Studded Cast
Schnabel has assembled a starry and somewhat random cast, including Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Jason Momoa, Al Pacino, John Malkovich, Franco Nero, and even Martin Scorsese in a cameo. The ambitious story follows Isaac as Dante Alighieri, tracing a handwritten manuscript of 'The Divine Comedy' from the Vatican to a New York mob boss and journalist Nick Tosches (also Isaac) in 2001.
Plot and Performances
The film's narrative is dense, with Dante quotations hurled at the audience throughout its 153-minute runtime. However, there are bright spots, such as Al Pacino's extended cameo as Nick's uncle, where he masterfully navigates the film's confusing shifts between drama and comedy. Isaac also delivers strong performances in two challenging roles, particularly as the chaotic Nick. Gerard Butler surprises in a dual role as a nasty gangster and an oddly Scottish Italian pope, embracing the film's comedic tone.
Unfortunately, Gal Gadot's roles are underwritten and over-the-top, failing to shine. The film's genre is all over the place, mixing noir, satire, melodrama, and absurdist comedy. It also features violent scenes, including a gruesome mafia execution and a fingernail-pulling incident.
Critical Verdict
'In the Hand of Dante' is a sprawling, overly ambitious mess that is hard to follow, despite some strong performances. If you enjoyed the perplexing excess of 'Megalopolis,' this might be for you. The film is in select UK cinemas from today and will stream on Netflix from June 24.
Key Details:
- Director: Julian Schnabel
- Cast: Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Al Pacino, Jason Momoa, Franco Nero, Martin Scorsese
- Age Rating: 15
- Runtime: 2h 33m
- Release: In select UK cinemas June 12, 2026; Netflix June 24
