The 2026 Sundance Film Festival received an unforgettable burst of star power — and dark humour — as Natalie Portman arrived with a dazzling ensemble cast to premiere The Gallerist. Directed by Cathy Yan, the film instantly became one of the most talked-about entries at the festival, thanks to its daring premise and heavyweight lineup.
The Gallerist made its world premiere on January 24 at Sundance. Portman, who both produces and stars in the film, takes on the role of Polina Polinski — a platinum-blonde, eccentric art dealer caught in a spiral of ambition, desperation, and moral chaos. According to the official Sundance synopsis, Polina is “a desperate gallerist who conspires to sell a dead body at Art Basel Miami.” The shocking logline alone was enough to spark curiosity long before the film’s debut.
During the post-screening Q&A, Portman addressed how much of herself she brought to the character — with a quick dose of self-aware humour. “I’ve never tried to sell a dead body before,” she joked, immediately drawing laughter from the audience. She added that while the role is far from autobiographical, the story’s themes resonated with her on a deeper level.
Portman explained that the film explores the strange alchemy of being an artist — where personal emotion becomes a marketable product. She described the process of creating art as both magical and unsettling, noting the tension between passion and survival that many creatives experience. According to her, The Gallerist speaks directly to those who make art but must also rely on the marketplace to continue doing what they love.
She also revealed that an early conversation with director Cathy Yan helped shape her understanding of Polina’s moral descent. Portman explained that the story reflects the slippery slope of compromise — the idea that small justifications gradually lead to shocking actions. Before one realizes it, she said, the character is metaphorically washing blood from her hands.
Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, and Charli xcx at the @sundanceorg premiere of #TheGallerist. pic.twitter.com/NZuWvzTGDp
— Variety (@Variety) January 25, 2026
Joining Portman on stage for the discussion were Jenna Ortega, Charli xcx, Cathy Yan, and co-writer James Pedersen. Ortega and Charli both play significant roles in the film, which boasts a stacked supporting cast including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sterling K. Brown, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Daniel Brühl, and Zach Galifianakis. Zeta-Jones was unable to attend the premiere due to travel constraints.
For Charli xcx, The Gallerist marks one of three acting projects debuting at Sundance this year, further expanding her presence beyond music.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival runs from January 22 to February 1 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. This year’s edition is especially historic — it is the final Sundance to be hosted in Utah before the festival relocates to Boulder, Colorado in 2027, and the first to take place following the passing of founder Robert Redford.
With dark comedy, artistic ambition, and a fearless cast, The Gallerist has already cemented itself as one of Sundance’s most unforgettable premieres.
