“Every man’s only savior dwells within himself.” Netflix has debuted their trailer for the film titled In the Hand of Dante, the latest feature made by acclaimed filmmaker Julian Schnabel (director of Basquiat, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, At Eternity’s Gate). Unfortunately it’s a disaster. This premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival last year and was regarded by most critics as the worst film at the fest (currently at 43% on RT) – a jumbled mess of narratives and hilariously awful performances. In the Hand of Dante follows the parallel lives of a NYC author (Nick Tosches) in the 21st century who goes on a violent journey after he is recruited by a mafia don to steal Italian poet Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy” written in the poet’s own hand, and Dante in the 14th century seeking inspiration to write his most important work – each man unknowingly connected through time and their obsessive quest for love, beauty, and the divine. Starring Oscar Isaac in both roles as Nick & Dante, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler (as a hilariously ruthless mobster enforcer), John Malkovich, Louis Cancelmi, Franco Nero, Benjamin Clementine, Paolo Bonacelli, Sabrina Impacciatore, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino, and Jason Momoa. What a bonkers cast! Alas I wish this movie was any good, it really seems like a total waste of great talent across the board. // Continue Reading ›
