Netflix just dropped the official trailer for In the Hand of Dante, and it is packed with big names. The movie brings together Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Al Pacino, and even legendary director Martin Scorsese in an acting role. The film had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in 2025. It is now set for a theatrical release on June 12, 2026, before hitting Netflix on June 24, 2026.
The trailer shows two different timelines. One follows a New York writer named Nick Tosches in the 21st century. The other follows the Italian poet Dante Alighieri in the 14th century as he creates his famous work, The Divine Comedy. Both men are on obsessive journeys for love, beauty, and something greater than themselves.
Oscar Isaac Plays Two Big Roles in the Movie
Oscar Isaac takes on double duty in this film. He plays both the modern-day writer Nick Tosches and the historical poet Dante Alighieri. The trailer gives fans a look at how he switches between the two characters. The modern scenes are shown in color, while the historical parts are in black and white.
Director Julian Schnabel, known for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and At Eternity’s Gate, explained his vision for the story at the Venice Film Festival. He said, “If only the eternal present exists, then all time happens simultaneously. There is no reason a kid from a gangster family couldn’t be the reincarnation of Dante Alighieri.”
The movie is based on Nick Tosches’s 2002 novel of the same name. Schnabel co-wrote the screenplay with Louise Kugelberg. The cast also includes John Malkovich, Sabrina Impacciatore, Franco Nero, and Benjamin Clementine. Some cast members, like Isaac, play two characters across both time periods.
Jason Momoa and Martin Scorsese Appear in Supporting Roles
Jason Momoa and Martin Scorsese have roles in the film that fans will notice. Scorsese, one of the most respected directors in Hollywood, plays a character named Isaiah. His role appears only in the 14th-century parts of the story. Isaiah is described as representing the highest form of wisdom and serves as Dante’s mentor.
This marks Scorsese’s first major acting credit in a long time. He is also listed as an executive producer on the project alongside Isaac.
Al Pacino also makes an appearance in the movie. With a cast this large, the film has drawn attention for bringing together names from different generations of Hollywood talent.
The Story Mixes Mafia Crime with Classic Literature
The official synopsis describes a wild plot. A New York author named Nick Tosches gets pulled into a dangerous situation. The mafia recruits him to steal the original handwritten manuscript of The Divine Comedy by Dante. The manuscript has been smuggled out of the Vatican.
Things get complicated when Nick gives in to temptation. He steals the manuscript for himself and goes against the mob. His actions send him on a violent path from “Hell into Paradise” alongside his love, Giulietta. Meanwhile, in the 14th century, Dante is stuck in a loveless marriage. He escapes to Sicily and works on his masterpiece to honor his lost love, Beatrice.
The film jumps between both stories, showing how the two men are connected through time even though they never meet.
The Movie Had a Long Road to Production
In the Hand of Dante took years to get made. Johnny Depp’s production company, Infinitum Nihil, first bought the rights to the book. Schnabel joined the project in 2011. At that time, Depp was set to play the lead role. But things changed over the years. In 2023, Oscar Isaac stepped in to replace Depp, and production finally began in Italy.
The film was made during the Hollywood strikes. The production got an Interim Agreement from SAG-AFTRA, which allowed them to keep filming while other projects shut down.
Director Schnabel fought with producers to keep his full vision for the movie. He was supposed to deliver a two-hour film based on his contract. But he turned in a much longer version that runs 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes). Parts of the movie are in black and white. After many arguments, Schnabel got his way, and the Venice screening showed the exact cut he wanted from the start.
Early Reviews from Venice Were Mixed
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2025. It received an eight-minute standing ovation after its screening. However, the critical response has been mixed. Reviews currently sit at around 43% positive according to early reports. Critics have pointed out that the film has too many ideas packed into one movie. Some say it feels chaotic and overly ambitious.
But one thing most critics agree on is Oscar Isaac’s performance. His work in both roles has been praised as a highlight, even if some feel he gets lost in the film’s many experiments with style and storytelling.
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Release Dates for USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and Global
In the Hand of Dante will first arrive in movie theaters on June 12, 2026. This theatrical release will happen in select theaters across the USA. After that, the film will be available for streaming worldwide on Netflix starting June 24, 2026.
Viewers in the UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other global markets will be able to watch the movie on Netflix starting June 24. The film will also screen at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York before its wide release.
With a runtime of 150 minutes, this is a long movie. Viewers should plan for a full evening if they want to watch it in one sitting.
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