Gal Gadot is facing yet another career setback after her latest Netflix project, In the Hand of Dante, has been widely panned by both critics and audiences. The ambitious arthouse drama, which arrived on the streaming platform recently, was expected to showcase a more serious side of the Israeli actress. Instead, it has drawn some of the harshest reviews of her career so far.
A Star-Studded but Polarising Project
Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julian Schnabel, In the Hand of Dante features an impressive ensemble cast including Oscar Isaac, Al Pacino, Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, and even Martin Scorsese in a supporting role. The film jumps between the 14th century and early-2000s New York, following two intertwining stories connected to Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy. Half of the movie is shot in black and white, adding to its artistic ambitions.
Despite this heavyweight lineup, the 153-minute film has been described as a 'time-hopping trainwreck' by Decider, while RogerEbert.com called it 'alternately riveting and dull as dirt.' Little White Lies was even more scathing, labelling it not entertaining enough to qualify as a 'compelling disaster' and pointing to several 'career-worst performances.'
Many reviewers have drawn comparisons to Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis, another ambitious and divisive project that struggled both critically and commercially.
Gadot's Performance Comes Under Fire
Much of the criticism has centred on Gal Gadot's performance. Reviewers have described her line delivery as 'stiff,' and she appears only briefly in the film as the goddess Venus in a dream sequence, which includes a nude scene. While some praised the artistic intent, audiences have been less kind.
Social media reactions have been particularly brutal, with some viewers writing, 'Get Gal Gadot off the screen,' and claiming she 'gets money for doing absolutely nothing.' One commenter noted that her acting struggles appear consistent 'no matter what era she's thrown into.'
Gadot, who turned 41 earlier this year, has long faced scrutiny over her acting abilities. Her breakthrough as Wonder Woman in 2017 brought her global fame and critical acclaim, but subsequent projects have yielded mixed results. Films such as Wonder Woman 1984, Death on the Nile, and Snow White drew criticism, while Heart of Stone and other Netflix outings failed to make a significant impact.
The Challenges of Transitioning Beyond Blockbusters
The reaction to In the Hand of Dante highlights the difficulty many action stars face when trying to move into more prestige or arthouse territory. Gadot's commanding screen presence worked perfectly for the role of Wonder Woman, but translating that into nuanced dramatic performances has proven challenging.
In interviews, Gadot has remained confident in her abilities. She previously told The A Talks that she considers herself 'solid' and believes her work ethic is one of her greatest strengths. However, the current wave of criticism suggests that audiences and critics are still waiting for her to deliver a truly standout non-franchise role.
The film also arrives amid lingering conversations about Gadot's public image. Last year, she addressed backlash over comments linking Snow White's poor box office performance to anti-Israel sentiment, later clarifying her remarks on Instagram. While her views as an Israeli actress have occasionally drawn criticism, the latest film's reception appears driven more by its execution than external factors.
What's Next for Gal Gadot?
At this stage in her career, Gal Gadot finds herself at a crossroads. Her association with the Wonder Woman franchise and Fast & Furious films cemented her as a bankable star, but consistent critical success has remained elusive outside those big-budget projects. Red Notice proved she can still deliver crowd-pleasing performances on Netflix, but prestige fare like In the Hand of Dante has so far failed to convince sceptics.
For now, the spotlight remains on how Gadot responds to this latest round of reviews. Many successful actors have used early criticism as fuel to refine their craft and choose more suitable roles. Whether she doubles down on action blockbusters or continues pursuing challenging dramatic parts will likely shape the next chapter of her career.
In the Hand of Dante is currently streaming on Netflix. While it may not have won over critics, its bold artistic choices have at least sparked conversation — even if that conversation has largely centred on Gadot's performance.
