In the Hand of Dante is a visually stunning film that, at times, almost feels painful to watch. On paper, it seems like a major addition to Netflix’s catalogue, boasting an impressive cast that includes Al Pacino, John Malkovich, Martin Scorsese, Oscar Isaac, and the film’s standout performer, Gerard Butler. However, it pains me to say that this film falls into a category I rarely use in that it feels like a pretentious mess.

Its outrageously absurd narrative quickly becomes exhausting, and with a runtime of 2 hours and 33 minutes, I found it increasingly difficult to stay engaged. While I appreciate the film’s ambition and bold stylistic choices blending dark comedy, poetry, and a narrative that jumps between the past and present, the overall execution simply didn’t work for me.

Unfortunately, Jason Momoa and Gal Gadot once again reinforce my view that, despite being two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, neither delivers a particularly convincing performance here. Both performances felt weak and failed to elevate the material.

On the other hand, Oscar Isaac and Gerard Butler deliver the best performances the film has to offer. Despite playing dual roles, both actors manage to create distinct and believable characters, preventing the film from becoming completely unwatchable.

Overall, In the Hand of Dante is a huge swing and an even bigger miss. While I can admire its ambition, I ultimately wouldn’t recommend it to any film lovers.