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Schnabel’s In the Hand of Dante Arrives on Netflix to Largely Negative Reviews

The film’s Netflix debut has reopened criticism that praises Roman Vasyanov’s cinematography and Oscar Isaac’s dual turn while faulting the movie’s casting, tone, and 153-minute length.

Overview

  • The film, which premiered at Venice in September 2025 and had a brief theatrical window in mid-June, began streaming on Netflix on June 24, renewing public access and review coverage.
  • Critics consistently single out Roman Vasyanov’s lush period cinematography as a major strength and call Oscar Isaac’s double performance the movie’s most convincing element.
  • Reviews describe the film as narratively confused and tonally uneven, pointing to its cross‑timeline structure, abrupt shifts between noir and medieval sequences, and overall lack of editorial focus.
  • Several reviewers specifically criticized casting choices for weakening key scenes, naming Gal Gadot and Jason Momoa as examples of performances that feel miscast or inconsistent with the film’s ambitions.
  • Observers note the movie’s source material and Schnabel’s art‑house reputation raised expectations that many felt were unmet, and they say Netflix’s release could widen audience debate about whether the film is an ambitious failure or simply overlong and muddled.