Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega Shine in Uneven Film ‘The Gallerist’

Cathy Yan’s The Gallerist looks stylish and bold on the surface, but beneath the colorful visuals and strong performances, the movie struggles to deliver a truly engaging story. While Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega are highly entertaining together, the film itself feels more like a lecture than an emotional or thrilling experience.

This is Yan’s first movie since Birds of Prey, and while her creative energy is still present, The Gallerist often feels confused about whether it wants to entertain or make a statement about modern art culture.

A Stylish Setup With Dark Humor

The film introduces us to Polina Polinski (Natalie Portman), a stressed art gallery owner on the verge of financial collapse. During a private viewing of new artwork by artist Stella Burgess (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), Polina’s assistant Kiki (Jenna Ortega) alerts her to a water leak near a large sculpture called The Emasculator.

Things quickly spiral out of control when a rude art influencer insults the work — and soon ends up dead, accidentally impaled on the sculpture.

Instead of calling the police, Polina and Kiki attempt to cover it up, hoping to survive the night without losing everything.

When Crime Becomes “High Art”

The situation becomes more complicated when the sculpture, now hiding a dead body, starts attracting attention. Photographers, influencers, and collectors begin flooding the gallery, praising the piece as edgy and meaningful.

The film makes a clear point: modern art often gains value not because of meaning, but because of shock and hype.

Polina convinces Stella to keep quiet, arguing that this version of the artwork will make her famous — even if it wasn’t what she originally intended.

Portman and Ortega Are the Film’s Biggest Strength

Natalie Portman delivers a tense, frantic performance as a woman slowly unraveling under pressure. Jenna Ortega brings sharp humor and anxiety to Kiki, making their partnership the emotional center of the movie.

Their fast-paced dialogue and chaotic energy help keep the film alive, especially during scenes where they rush around the gallery trying to hide evidence while maintaining a calm public image.

Strong Ideas, Weak Execution

The Gallerist wants to say a lot about:

• The commercialization of art

• Influencer culture

• Fame versus real talent

• How money shapes creativity

While these themes are interesting, the movie doesn’t explore them deeply enough. Instead, it repeats the same ideas without pushing them forward, making the message feel obvious rather than insightful.

Notable Supporting Performances

The film becomes more entertaining when new characters arrive:

• Catherine Zeta-Jones as a powerful art dealer

• Sterling K. Brown as Polina’s ex-husband

• Daniel Brühl as a wealthy art collector

A bidding war over the artwork highlights the film’s strongest critique: rich collectors often care more about image and status than the art itself.

This moment finally delivers the sharp satire the movie promises — but it arrives too late.