Natalie Portman Stars in Panned Art World Satire "The Gallerist"

Despite a talented cast, the new film from director Cathy Yan fails to land its comedic punches or offer insightful commentary on the art world.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 11:55am

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In "The Gallerist," Natalie Portman stars as a desperate gallerist who hatches a scheme to sell a dead art influencer as part of an exhibit at Art Basel Miami. The film, directed by Cathy Yan, features a talented ensemble cast including Jenna Ortega, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sterling K. Brown, Daniel Brühl, and Zach Galifianakis. However, critics say the film is "painfully unfunny" and wastes its cast on a zany story that never communicates a clear vision or offers meaningful commentary on the art world.

Why it matters

Cathy Yan's previous film, "Birds of Prey," faced backlash from some comic book fans, leading to speculation that "The Gallerist" could offer sharp commentary on the director's experiences in the studio system. However, the film fails to deliver on that promise, leaving critics disappointed by its shallow observations and lack of comedic success.

The details

In "The Gallerist," Portman plays Polina Polinski, a gallerist desperate to prove her worth after a divorce from her wealthy husband (Sterling K. Brown). Polina is working to pull off a big exhibition featuring artist Stella Burgess (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), but when an art influencer (Zach Galifianakis) dies in a freak accident at the gallery, Polina is forced to try to pass him off as part of the exhibit. The film follows Polina's madcap attempts to clean up the mess and save her gallery.

  • The film is set during Art Basel Miami.

The players

Cathy Yan

The director and writer of "The Gallerist," known for her previous film "Dead Pigs" and the Harley Quinn movie "Birds of Prey."

Natalie Portman

The Oscar-winning actress who stars as the desperate gallerist Polina Polinski in "The Gallerist."

Jenna Ortega

The actress who plays Polina's assistant Kiki in the film.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph

The actress who portrays the artist Stella Burgess, whose sculpture is at the center of the film's events.

Zach Galifianakis

The comedian who plays the art influencer Dalton Hardberry, whose accidental death sets the film's plot in motion.

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The takeaway

"The Gallerist" represents a missed opportunity for director Cathy Yan to offer sharp commentary on the art world and her own experiences in the film industry, as the film fails to land its comedic punches or provide meaningful insights, despite a talented cast.