Gerard Butler headlines the crime drama as modern-day Louis and the historical figure Pope Bonifacio VIII, showcasing two very different sides of the story. Image credit (Gerard Butler Instagram)
Gerard Butler stars in In the Hand of Dante, an ambitious crime drama that hits OTT on June 24, 2026. Directed by Julian Schnabel, the film brings together an ensemble cast to tell a story that spans two timelines.
Gerard Butler plays dual roles across the film’s parallel narratives.
Gerard Butler plays a dual role in In the Hand of Dante
In “In the Hand of Dante”, Gerard Butler plays two characters. In the current story set in New York, Butler portrays Louie, a hitman and fixer. In the historical timeline set in 14th century Italy, Butler plays Pope Bonifacio VIII.According to Coming Soon, Butler plays Louie and delivers some of the film’s best dialogue as he rides alongside Nick to help him with manuscript-related endeavors.
Butler steals scenes with his exaggerated style, and the actor is credited with playing against convention, acting more brutal on screen than the audience has seen before.
Gerard Butler as Louie: the hit man in “In the Hand of Dante.”
The film follows the story of researcher Nick Tosches, who is called upon to authenticate what may be Dante’s original manuscript of the Divine Comedy. Instead of checking it out, Nick steals the manuscript and sets off on a journey through the criminal underworld. Louie, played by Gerard Butler, becomes his companion on this journey, helping him navigate the dangerous situations that follow.
Gerard Butler as Pope Bonifacio VIII in the historical timeline
In the 14th century sequences, Gerard Butler takes on the role of Pope Bonifacio VIII, a historical pope known for his corruption and moral failings. This character works in the Italian timeline where the poet Dante lived and created his masterpiece. According to the film’s story, Pope Bonifacio VIII is a symbol of institutional corruption and abuse of religious authority. His appearance in the historical timeline mirrors his character, Louie, in the modern story, suggesting that greed, corruption, and moral compromise are universal human traits that span generations.
The character of the Pope adds an additional dimension to the film’s examination of the use of power and authority throughout history for personal gain.
In the Hands of Dante Cast: Gerard Butler Joins Oscar Isaac And the stars of the band
According to reports, the film stars Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Louis Cansimi, Sabrina Impacciatore, Franco Nero, Benjamin Clementine, Paolo Bonacelli, Martin Scorsese, and Al Pacino. Some cast members play two characters: one from the modern timeline and one from the historical timeline.
Julian Schnabel’s visual approach to In the Hand of Dante
Director Julian Schnabel distinguishes between the two timelines through visual means. The present-day New York scenes were filmed in black and white, while the historical Italian scenes were filmed in color. This visual distinction highlights the different settings and time periods of the narrative.
Directed by Julian Schnabel, the film follows parallel stories unfolding in modern-day New York and 14th-century Italy.
“In the Hand of Dante” release date and production details
The film had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2025. It was released theatrically in the United States on June 12, 2026, followed by an OTT release on June 24, 2026. The project is based on Nick Tosches’s 2002 novel of the same name, and director Julian Schnabel co-wrote the screenplay alongside Louise Kugelberg.Stream In the Hand of Dante on Netflix.
