Oscar Issac, Gal Gadot Starrer Controversial Drama 'In the Hand of Dante' To Make a Splash on Netflix

Published 03/19/2026, 12:37 PM CDT

Fiction and history collide in In the Hand of Dante, where Oscar Isaac plays both a modern author and the legendary Dante Alighieri, navigating mob heists in New York and poetic intrigue in 14th-century Italy. Julian Schnabel’s ambitious drama brings literary obsession, crime, and artistry to the screen with audacious flair.

The film is also known for sparking heated controversy at its Venice Film Festival premiere over casting Gal Gadot and Gerard Butler, with Schnabel defending their inclusion amid political tensions. The casting had critics and audiences debating whether star power should outweigh cultural sensitivities.

And after nearly a year of debate and public scrutiny, the provocative crime drama is prepping to arrive on Netflix, making its long-awaited streaming debut accessible to audiences worldwide.

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In The Hand of Dante to arrive on Netflix

Netflix has officially announced that In the Hand of Dante is coming soon to its platform. While the streaming giant has confirmed the acquisition, the release date remains unannounced, leaving fans eagerly speculating when they will finally experience Julian Schnabel’s audacious crime drama.

The film previously premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2025. It received a remarkable 9.5-minute standing ovation from the audience, highlighting the physical enthusiasm of viewers despite a sharply divided critical reception.

Critics offered contrasting views, with some calling the film real cinema and a cinematic journey, while others labeled it messy and mortally tangled between painful earnestness and laughable execution. Netflix’s acquisition suggests confidence in the film’s lasting cultural and artistic impact.

In the Hand of Dante continues its festival tour, with a scheduled screening at the Sarasota Film Festival on April 19, 2026. Furthermore, a limited theatrical release later in 2026 remains possible, a strategy Netflix often uses for awards eligibility before streaming availability.

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While Gal Gadot navigates her daughter’s verdict on Snow White, Julian Schnabel is already plotting his next cinematic coup.

Upcoming Julian Schnabel projects

Julian Schnabel is far too busy taming canvases to fuss over new film projects. While In the Hand of Dante makes its rounds in festivals, Schnabel is navigating the glittering chaos of the contemporary art world with his usual flamboyance.

Earlier this year, the Mnuchin Gallery in New York celebrated Plate Paintings, 1978–2025, a sweeping look at his storied career. Soon, Bonn will host vollkommen fine at Galerie Judith Andreae, where Schnabel’s latest works promise elegance, audacity, and perhaps a hint of chaos.

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He does not stop there. A 1982 portrait of Andy Warhol graces the halls of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C., while Schnabel continues to impress audiences in the Private View exhibition at Venus Over Manhattan, running through April 5.

Even with brushes and palettes occupying his days, In the Hand of Dante patiently waits for its moment on Netflix, ready to bring crime, intrigue, and literary drama to streaming audiences. Schnabel’s upcoming exhibitions prove that his creativity flows across mediums, ensuring both his films and paintings capture attention with equal audacity.

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Will you be waiting for In the Hand of Dante to reach Netflix? Let us know in the comments!

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Iffat Siddiqui

843 articles

Iffat is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. A word wizard, she had the sorting hat smoke at the seams owing to her excellence in everything Hollywood and cinema until it finally declared that she belonged to the Royals, specifically Meghan Markle. Boasting over 300 articles (and counting), each one tastefully infused with the right mix of facts, wit, opinion, and essentially everything to make a perfect pop culture piece, she is the epitome of a trustworthy entertainment journalist.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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