The Gallerist Review: A Completely Captivating Thriller-Comedy

The Gallerist boasts three incredible lead performances that will have viewers rooting for the people they very clearly should not be.

Sitting down to watch Cathy Yan’s The Gallerist, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a premise that sounds like Weekend at Bernie’s meets The Square. But after ninety minutes of breathless, high-stakes absurdity, I can safely say I was blown away.

What struck me most about Yan’s direction is the way she treats the gallery setting. By keeping the majority of the action confined to a single, sleek Miami space, the film creates an incredible sense of urgency. It starts as a satire but quickly morphs into a pressure cooker. As Polina Polinski (played with a terrifying, manic energy by Natalie Portman) navigates the looming deadline of Art Basel, the physical presence of the art piece – a literal dead body – becomes a ticking time bomb.

I found the claustrophobia of the setting to be one of the film’s strongest assets. You feel trapped in that gallery right alongside the characters. Every time a critic or a high-profile influencer leaned in to inspect the piece, my heart was in my throat. The longer that body stayed on display, the more the world seemed to shrink, leaving only the mounting threat of impending disaster.

On paper, I should have hated these people. Polina is dangerously ambitious, bordering on sociopathic, and her scheme is objectively horrific when you boil it down. Yet, Natalie Portman brings such a desperate, human grit to the role that I found myself somehow rooting for her success. Opposite her, Jenna Ortega is perfect as the skeptical, increasingly frazzled assistant. Their chemistry is electric; Ortega plays the straight man role with a dry wit that grounds the movie’s more outlandish moments. She truly shines here.

Then there is Catherine Zeta-Jones, who rounds out this powerhouse trio with a performance that is nothing short of iconic. Together, these three women navigate a moral gray area so deep it’s practically pitch black, yet they remain undeniably charming. It’s a testament to the writing and acting that I wanted them to get away with it, despite the terribleness of their crimes.

While the leads carry the emotional weight, the supporting cast is equally as impressive. Sterling K. Brown delivers an incredible performance as Polina’s ex-husband. The final shot of him, which I refuse to spoil, literally gave me chills. Zach Galifianakis provides the kind of eccentric, off-the-wall humor that skewers the pretentiousness of the elite art world perfectly, even though he does not grace the screen for very long.

Topping it all off is Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who once again proves why she is a total powerhouse, stealing every single scene she’s in with a commanding screen presence. Each of these actors brings their A-game, ensuring that the world outside Polina’s immediate panic feels just as vivid, ridiculous, and lived-in as the main trio’s desperate scheme.

Overall Thoughts On The Gallerist

The Gallerist is an exploration of value and perception. It is a gutsy, dark comedy that shouldn’t be as charming as it is. Thanks to an incredible ensemble cast who bring their A-game, it is impossible to look away.

Cathy Yan has crafted a film that is both a biting social commentary and a high-octane thriller. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this captivated by a film. I truly could not take my eyes off the screen as I held my breath waiting to see how it would all play out. If you have the chance to see this movie, do it – just maybe don’t look too closely at the exhibits.

About The Gallerist

A desperate art gallery owner devises a daring plan to sell a deceased individual as art during Miami’s prestigious Art Basel event.

The Gallerist played at Sundance 2026.

NEXT: Send Help Review: Sam Raimi’s Gory, Hilarious, & Wild Survival Romp

70%

70%

The Gallerist boasts three incredible lead performances that will have viewers rooting for the people they very clearly should not be.

• 7