The companies plan to release The Gallerist exclusively in US cinemas on September 19
Pop Culture & ArtAugust 07, 20261 min readPhoto: MRC II Distribution Company
Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega’s dark comedy The Gallerist is officially heading to US cinemas after Roadside Attractions and Vertical acquired the film’s domestic distribution rights following its acclaimed debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
Directed by Cathy Yan (Birds of Prey), The Gallerist stars Portman as desperate Miami art dealer Polina Polinski, who hatches an outrageous plan to pass off a dead body as a work of art in a bid to save her struggling gallery during Art Basel. Ortega plays her assistant, Kiki Gorman, in a star-studded ensemble that also includes Sterling K. Brown, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Zach Galifianakis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Daniel Brühl and Charli XCX.
The film premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it generated significant attention for its biting satire of the contemporary art world. While critics were divided on the film itself, Portman’s performance received widespread praise, and the project quickly emerged as one of the festival’s most talked-about acquisitions.
Roadside Attractions and Vertical said they were thrilled to bring the film to audiences, praising Yan’s sharp direction and the cast’s performances. The companies plan to release The Gallerist exclusively in US cinemas on September 19, with additional international release plans expected to be announced later.
The acquisition adds another high-profile project to Ortega’s busy slate following Wednesday season 2, while Portman continues balancing acting and producing through her company MountainA. With its provocative premise and acclaimed cast, The Gallerist is expected to be one of the most closely watched indie releases of the autumn.
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