Summary
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Netflix has released the first official trailer for In the Hand of Dante, a historical crime drama directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julian Schnabel
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Adapted from Nick Tosches’ 2002 novel, the sprawling saga spans 700 years, connecting a 21st-century New York mafia heist with 14th-century poet Dante Alighieri
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Oscar Isaac leads a massive ensemble cast in a dual role as both modern-day author Nick Tosches and the legendary Italian poet Dante
Julian Schnabel’s ambitious, decades-in-the-making passion project is finally ready for its global debut. Netflix has officially dropped the first trailer for In the Hand of Dante, a sprawling, time-bending historical crime epic that merges literary reverence with a gritty mob underworld. Adapting Nick Tosches’ acclaimed 2002 novel, the acclaimed director behind The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and At Eternity’s Gate delivers a visually striking exploration of obsessive creative vision, anchored by an A-list ensemble and a staggering dual performance by Oscar Isaac.
The complex narrative unfolds across two interwoven timelines separated by seven centuries. In the 14th century, the film follows Dante Alighieri (Isaac) as he seeks inspiration for love, beauty, and the divine while penning his masterpiece, The Divine Comedy. Parallel to this, the film leaps forward to the dangerous underworld of 21st-century New York. Here, a modern-day author named Nick (also Isaac), reeling from a personal tragedy, is summoned from his self-imposed exile by a mafia boss. His dangerous task: to authenticate and ultimately steal what is believed to be Dante’s original, handwritten manuscript.
To bring this massive undertaking to life, Schnabel assembled a powerhouse international cast. The trailer offers striking glimpses of Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler (pulling double duty as an unpredictable assassin named Louie and Pope Bonifacio VIII), John Malkovich, Al Pacino and Jason Momoa. Cinephiles will also be treated to a rare acting appearance by legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who dons a distinctive beard to play Dante’s mentor in the 14th-century timeline.
While the film originally made its world premiere out of competition at the 2025 Venice Film Festival—where it drew heavily divided, polarized reactions from critics for its gonzo tone and pseudo-biographical elements—Netflix quickly swooped in to acquire the global distribution rights earlier this spring. The movie is now positioned as a major summer prestige release for the streaming giant.
Before hitting the streaming platform, In the Hand of Dante will be showcased as a marquee title in the Spotlight Narrative Features section at the upcoming 2026 Tribeca Film Festival. The star-studded literary thriller is scheduled to open in select U.S. theaters on June 12, 2026, before making its highly anticipated global debut on Netflix on June 24, 2026.
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