The satirical thriller The Gallerist, starring Jenna Ortega and Natalie Portman, has finally received an official release date. Following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the film directed by Cathy Yan has been acquired by Roadside Attractions and Vertical for U.S. distribution. The movie will hit theaters on December 4, 2026, a release that arrives during a particularly busy period for both actresses.
The plot of The Gallerist between art and crime
The story follows a struggling art gallery owner who, in desperation, decides to pass off a corpse as an artwork during Art Basel Miami. This reckless act triggers a chain of events that will put her career and freedom at stake. The protagonist's fate hangs in the balance, and the question that runs through the film is whether she will end up famous, a felon, or both. Portman plays the cunning but desperate gallery owner, while Ortega is her devoted assistant, a duo that promises sparks.
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A stellar cast and an already acclaimed director
The film boasts an impressive cast, including Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Sterling K. Brown, Zach Galifianakis, Daniel Brühl, singer Charli XCX, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Direction is handled by Cathy Yan, known for Birds of Prey and Dead Pigs, who has shown her talent for satire of the elite by directing an episode of Succession, for which she received an Emmy nomination. The screenplay is written by James Pedersen, while production is handled by MCR, the studio behind 2026's Wuthering Heights and the upcoming The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.
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Early critical reactions are not enthusiastic
Despite the anticipation for the film, early reviews coming out of Sundance are mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Gallerist has a score of 55%, with critics divided. Gregory Nussen of ScreenRant gave the film a 4 out of 10, calling it a tepid satire, almost devoid of genuine humor. However, distributors Roadside Attractions and Vertical have expressed great confidence in the project, highlighting Natalie Portman's brilliant performance and Yan's original direction. The public, however, may have a different opinion, and word of mouth could play a key role in the film's success.
What's next for Jenna Ortega and Natalie Portman
The Gallerist will arrive shortly after Klara and the Sun, the highly anticipated adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel starring Jenna Ortega. Natalie Portman, meanwhile, will star in two more films in 2026, Good Sex by Lena Dunham and Photograph 51 by Tom Hooper. With such a busy schedule, The Gallerist represents further proof of the talent of both actresses, who are enjoying a golden moment in their careers. For those following the latest movie news, this film is certainly one to watch, despite mixed reviews. While waiting for its debut, it's worth revisiting Jenna Ortega's career, as she recently spoke about her role in Spider-Man Brand New Day and her future in the X-Men, as reported in our article.
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Source: https://screenrant.com/jenna-ortega-the-gallerist-movie-release-date-natalie-portman
