Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa & Gerard Butler Lead Netflix’s ‘In the Hand of Dante’ – Watch the Trailer

Netflix has unveiled the official trailer for In the Hand of Dante, a sprawling, star-studded drama that bridges centuries and genres. Following its world premiere at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, the film will receive a limited theatrical release on June 12 before hitting the streaming giant on June 24. The project marks the latest ambitious literary adaptation from acclaimed painter-turned-filmmaker Julian Schnabel.

The trailer offers a tantalizing glimpse into a dual-narrative story that intertwines the lives of a modern-day New York author and the legendary 14th-century poet Dante Alighieri. With a cast that reads like a Hollywood dream team — including Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Jason Momoa, John Malkovich, Al Pacino, and even Martin Scorsese — the film is poised to be one of the most talked-about releases of the summer.

A Tale of Two Timelines

Based on the 2002 novel by Nick Tosches, In the Hand of Dante follows two parallel journeys. In the present day, a New York writer named Nick (played by Oscar Isaac) is recruited by a mafia don to steal the original manuscript of Dante’s The Divine Comedy — the poet's own handwritten copy, smuggled out of the Vatican. What begins as an academic heist quickly spirals into a violent, obsessive quest.

Meanwhile, in 14th-century Italy, a struggling Dante Alighieri (also played by Isaac) seeks divine inspiration to complete his magnum opus. The two men are unknowingly connected across time, bound by their hunger for love, beauty, and the transcendent. The film will visually distinguish these timelines: the modern sequences are shot in color, while the historical passages unfold in stark black and white, a creative choice that Schnabel has described as a way to emphasize the timelessness of the story.

An All-Star Cast Playing Multiple Roles

One of the most intriguing aspects of the trailer is the revelation that several actors will play dual roles — mirroring Isaac's double duty as both Nick and Dante. Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Louis Cancelmi, and others also appear in both the contemporary and historical arcs. This casting decision adds a layer of thematic depth, suggesting that the same souls are reincarnated or echoed across centuries.

The full ensemble includes:

• Oscar Isaac as Nick Tosches and Dante Alighieri
• Gal Gadot as a modern-day love interest and a historical muse
• Gerard Butler as a mafia enforcer and a medieval knight
• Jason Momoa as a volatile mobster and a 14th-century mercenary
• John Malkovich as a Vatican insider and a corrupt cardinal
• Al Pacino as a crime lord and a powerful Florentine nobleman
• Martin Scorsese as Dante's mentor, Brunetto Latini — marking the legendary director's first major acting role in years

Scorsese, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Isaac, brings his signature gravitas to the supporting role. His presence in front of the camera is a rare treat for cinephiles who remember his early acting turns in films like Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy.

Julian Schnabel: A Visionary Returns

Director Julian Schnabel is no stranger to ambitious biographical art films. The painter-turned-filmmaker earned critical acclaim for Basquiat (1996), Before Night Falls (2000), and the Oscar-nominated The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007). His visual style — rich, textured, and often deeply personal — makes him an ideal fit for a story that blurs the lines between literature, crime, and spiritual yearning.

Schnabel co-wrote the screenplay with Louise Kugelberg, adapting Tosches's novel, which itself blended historical fiction with noir thriller elements. The film was produced by Jon Kilik, Francesco Melzi d'Eril, Olmo Schnabel, Gabriele Bebe Moratti, and Vito Schnabel. The project has been in development for several years, with Isaac attached early on as both star and producer.

Why This Matters for Netflix and the Industry

In the Hand of Dante represents Netflix's continued investment in prestige literary adaptations that can generate awards buzz. After the success of Roma, The Irishman, and Power of the Dog, the streamer is betting that Schnabel's singular vision will attract both critics and mainstream audiences. The dual theatrical/streaming release strategy also reflects the evolving landscape of film distribution.

For fans, the film offers a rare convergence of talent: Isaac, fresh off Moon Knight and Dune, showcases his range; Momoa steps away from superhero spectacle into grittier terrain; and Butler brings his signature intensity. But the real draw may be Scorsese, whose return to acting — however brief — is sure to generate headlines and nostalgia.

The story's exploration of obsession, faith, and the creative process also resonates in an era when adaptation and originality are constantly debated. By juxtaposing a modern crime thriller with a classic literary origin story, Schnabel invites viewers to consider how art is born — and how far people will go to possess it.

A Thrilling Trailer Full of Visual and Emotional Hooks

The trailer itself is a masterclass in tension. Rapid cuts between shadowy underground meetings and sunlit Italian landscapes, whispered dialogue and sudden violence. Isaac’s dual performance is chilling — his modern Nick seems frayed and desperate, while his Dante is haunted and reverent. Gadot, Malkovich, and Pacino each deliver memorable line readings that hint at complex motivations.

One standout moment shows Scorsese’s Brunetto Latini instructing a young Dante: “Words are the only weapon that outlasts stone.” It’s a line that encapsulates the film’s central thesis — that literature can be as dangerous as any crime.

As the release dates approach, anticipation will only build. In the Hand of Dante arrives in theaters June 12 and streams on Netflix starting June 24. Whether you’re a fan of Dante’s poetry, Schnabel’s filmography, or simply looking for a gripping, intelligent thriller, this is one journey worth taking.

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