In the Hand of Dante
Here's what we found in In the Hand of Dante. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.
Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to In the Hand of Dante
In the Hand of Dante (2026) is an upcoming American crime drama and historical mystery film directed by Julian Schnabel, based on Nick Tosches' 2002 novel. The movie interweaves two parallel narratives: one following the 14th-century poet Dante Alighieri as he completes "The Divine Comedy," and the other set in the modern world, where a writer, Nick Tosches, becomes embroiled in a dangerous criminal network. Both storylines are connected by a mysterious manuscript carrying historical and spiritual weight. The film features a notable cast including Oscar Isaac (playing dual roles as Nick Tosches and Dante Alighieri), Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, Jason Momoa, Al Pacino, and John Malkovich. It is rated R by the MPAA for strong violence, language, and sexual references, making it unsuitable for younger audiences and recommended for viewers aged 17 and above with parental discretion. The narrative explores profound themes such as obsession, sin, morality, and spiritual struggle.
Things to Consider
Violence
The film contains strong, brutal, and often shocking violence, including organized crime activities, physical fights, and historical combat with visible blood and injuries. Some sequences are intense and disturbing, particularly those linked to depictions of 'hell' and human suffering.
Scenes depict assassin Louie (Gerard Butler) shooting a man in the head and gunning down several people as Nick Tosches (Oscar Isaac) watches. Nick's uncle (Al Pacino) rationalizes to a young Nick about fatally stabbing a teenager in a back-alley fight. Louie is also confirmed to have followed and killed Nick's experts.
Profanity
There is frequent use of strong, explicit, and harsh profanity throughout the movie, especially in crime-related scenes, including repeated use of major swear words and aggressive verbal exchanges.
Scary & Intense Content
The film is described as dark, intense, and emotionally charged, featuring disturbing imagery, strong violence, and sequences that could be unsettling. The narrative delves into themes of human suffering and spiritual struggle.
Disrespect & Rebellion
The plot prominently features characters engaged in criminal activities, including a mafia don recruiting a writer for a violent quest to steal a manuscript. This involves deliberate defiance of law and authority.
Would these 4 concerns matter to your family?
Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.
Romance and Sexual Content
The movie includes sexual references and suggestive scenes tied to relationships and desire. The MPAA rating specifically includes 'sexual references' as a descriptor.
Witchcraft & Occult
The film explores spiritual themes and includes references to elements that could be perceived as occult within a historical context. Dante consults a rabbi, a situation described as potentially 'heretical, unholy and black' from the Church's perspective, leading to mystical revelations. A character named Mephistopheles is also listed in the cast.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
There is no evidence in the provided search results to indicate the presence of LGBTQ+ or gender identity themes, characters, or discussions in "In the Hand of Dante (2026)". The broad search and the specific LGBTQ+ search yielded no relevant information.
Substance Use
No specific details regarding explicit substance use, drug trafficking, or addiction are mentioned in the available search results. While 'Drug & Alcohol Content' is listed in a table of contents for a review, no supporting evidence or specific scenes are described.
Anti-Christian Themes
While the film reimagines Dante's 'The Divine Comedy,' a work with strong Christian allegorical themes, and features a character with a 'crisis of faith,' there is no explicit evidence of mockery or insult towards Christian beliefs or symbols. A historical interaction with a rabbi is noted as potentially 'heretical' from the Church's perspective, but this reflects historical context rather than the film's endorsement of anti-Christian sentiment.
"In the Hand of Dante" delves into profound themes of sin, morality, and spiritual struggle, echoing the original "Divine Comedy's" journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven. The portrayal of a protagonist, Nick Tosches, entangled in a life of crime, and Dante Alighieri's 'crisis of faith,' presents opportunities for reflection on human fallenness and the search for meaning. From a Christian worldview, the violence and profanity, while serving the film's dark narrative, are a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and a world separated from God's righteousness. The film's exploration of good versus evil, particularly with the inclusion of a figure like Mephistopheles, aligns with biblical understanding of spiritual warfare and the reality of demonic forces. The obsessive quest for 'love, beauty, and the divine' highlights humanity's inherent longing for transcendence, which, from a Christian perspective, can ultimately only be fulfilled in God. The film also touches on the complexities of faith and belief, as seen in Dante's struggle and his consultation with a rabbi, which the Church historically viewed as potentially heretical. This can prompt discussions about religious dogma, individual spiritual journeys, and the pursuit of truth outside established religious institutions. While the film's narrative appears to reward vice in the short term through criminal acts, the overarching themes of despair, regret, and the search for redemption suggest that such choices ultimately lead to spiritual emptiness. The portrayal of family relationships, particularly Nick's motivations after the death of his daughter, could offer a lens to discuss the impact of loss and the importance of familial bonds, though the film's overall moral accountability for the criminal elements is to be assessed within the narrative's conclusion. The film's focus on crime and greed presents a materialistic worldview in the modern timeline, contrasting with Dante's spiritual quest, allowing for a discussion on the clash between worldly pursuits and eternal significance. The film may depict a transcendent view through Dante's journey for understanding, but its alignment with biblical values depends on how redemption and forgiveness are ultimately portrayed within its dark and violent framework.
Additional Context
Best For Ages
The film is rated R by the MPAA for strong violence, language, and sexual references. It is recommended for adults 18+ and ages 16-17 with guidance due to its dark and intense narrative, graphic elements, and complex mature themes.
Good to Know
The film's non-linear storytelling may be challenging for some viewers. It is an ambitious epic that contrasts quiet introspection with shocking violence, exploring art, religion, morality, masculinity, obsession, identity, and greed.
What are you watching next?
Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.
No credit card required — join hundreds of families