A new film brings together an incredible group of actors to tell a story that jumps between modern times and 14th-century Italy. In the Hand of Dante, directed by Julian Schnabel, had its first showing at the 2025 Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2025. The movie is based on a book by Nick Tosches and follows the journey of a very old and valuable manuscript—Dante Alighieri’s original Divine Comedy. The story moves between the life of Dante himself and a modern-day crime adventure involving the manuscript. The cast includes big names like Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, and John Malkovich, with surprising appearances by Jason Momoa and Martin Scorsese.
Main Cast and Their Roles
Oscar Isaac plays two leading roles: the famous medieval poet Dante Alighieri and the author Nick Tosches. In the modern story, Tosches is asked to check if the old manuscript is real, while in the past, we see Dante working on his famous poem. Isaac is known for his roles in Star Wars, Dune, and the TV series Moon Knight.
Gal Gadot plays two characters: Gemma Donati (Dante’s wife) in the past and Giulietta in the modern story. Gadot is best known for playing Wonder Woman in recent films. She also appeared in Red Notice and Death on the Nile.
Gerard Butler also has two roles: a dangerous gangster named Louie in the modern story and Pope Bonifacio in the past. Butler is famous for action roles in movies like 300 and the Has Fallen series. In this film, he plays a very brutal character.
John Malkovich plays Joe Black, a mafia boss who wants to steal the valuable manuscript. Malkovich has been in many famous films, such as Dangerous Liaisons and Being John Malkovich.
Louis Cancelmi plays Lefty, a gangster working with Joe Black, and Guido da Polenta, a historical figure from Dante’s time. Cancelmi has appeared in The Irishman and Killers of the Flower Moon.
Supporting Cast Members
The film includes many other well-known actors in smaller roles. Jason Momoa plays Rosario, who is the brother of a character named Al. Momoa is known for Aquaman and Dune. Al Pacino appears as Uncle Carmine, who gives advice to the young Nick Tosches. Pacino is a legendary actor famous for The Godfather and Scarface.
Martin Scorsese, the famous director, plays Isaiah, a wise mentor to Dante in the past. Scorsese also helped produce the film. Sabrina Impacciatore, from The White Lotus, plays Dr. Susanna Pulice, a librarian who knows a lot about Dante’s work.
Other supporting actors include Franco Nero as Don Lecco, Benjamin Clementine as Mephistopheles, and Claudio Santamaria as an archivist. The cast also includes Lorenzo Zurzolo, Paolo Bonacelli, and Duke Nicholson in smaller roles.
Behind the Scenes Team
Julian Schnabel directed the film and co-wrote the script with Louise Kugelberg. The movie is based on the novel by Nick Tosches. The production team includes Jon Kilik, Francesco Melzi d’Eril, and Gabriele Bebe Moratti. Benjamin Clementine composed the music, and Roman Vasyanov was the cinematographer. The film uses a special style: the modern scenes are in black and white, while the historical scenes are in color.
Film’s Initial Reception
The movie was shown at the Venice Film Festival in 2025. Some reviews praised the film’s bold style and Oscar Isaac’s performance, while others found the story confusing or too long. The film is expected to be released in theaters on December 11, 2025.
“Oscar Isaac delivers an incredible dual performance, showing his impressive range of dramatic and emotional abilities.” – Next Best Picture
“Schnabel’s epic is totally uncompromised in its vision, which is both its most admirable achievement and its most significant issue.” – Deadline
Where to Learn More
For those interested in the full team behind the movie, websites like IMDb provide a complete list of cast and crew members. The film is not yet out in theaters, but it is one of the most talked-about movies of the year due to its unique story and star-filled cast.
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