Gerard Butler headlines the crime drama as both modern-day fixer Louie and the historical figure Pope Bonifacio VIII, showcasing two vastly different sides of the story.image credit (Gerard Butler Instagram)
Gerard Butler stars in ‘In the Hand of Dante’, an ambitious crime drama that arrived on OTT on June 24, 2026. Directed by Julian Schnabel, the film brings together an ensemble cast to tell a story spanning two timelines. Gerard Butler plays dual roles across the film’s parallel narratives.
Gerard Butler plays dual roles in ‘In the Hand of Dante’
In ‘In the Hand of Dante,’ Gerard Butler plays two characters. In the present-day storyline 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 movie’s best dialogue as he rides alongside Nick, helping him with manuscript-related endeavours. Butler steals scenes with his over-the-top style, and the actor is credited for playing against type, acting wilder on-screen than audiences have seen him before.
Gerard Butler as Louie: the hit man character in ‘In the Hand of Dante’
The film follows scholar Nick Tosches, who is called upon to authenticate what may be Dante’s original manuscript of ‘The Divine Comedy’. Instead of verifying it, Nick steals the manuscript and embarks on a journey through the criminal underworld. Gerard Butler’s character Louie becomes, his companion on this journey, helping him navigate the dangerous situations that follow.
Directed by Julian Schnabel, the film follows parallel stories unfolding across 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 theatrically released in the United States on June 12, 2026, followed by its OTT release on June 24, 2026. The project is based on Nick Tosches’ 2002 novel of the same name, with director Julian Schnabel co-writing the screenplay alongside Louise Kugelberg.Stream ‘In the Hand of Dante’ on Netflix. Go to Source
