Let’s break it down 👇
Read this especially if you’re drawn to psychological dramas, are a fan of Corey Hawkins or Willem Dafoe, or like films that ask tough questions about legacy and race.
🏠 What’s It About
Charles Blakey, out of work and close to losing his ancestral home in Sag Harbor, gets a strange offer. A wealthy white businessman wants to rent out his basement for the summer. No clear reason why. Just a lot of cash. What starts as an awkward arrangement turns into a tense, eerie power struggle.
🧠 What the Film’s Really Exploring
This isn’t just a thriller. It’s about the weight of history, personal, racial, generational. Charles feels stuck in his life. Anniston, the tenant, forces him to confront the past in ways he wasn’t ready for. There are questions here about guilt, control, victimhood, and whether people are ever truly free from what came before them.
🎭 What Works
Corey Hawkins and Willem Dafoe are excellent, every scene between them feels like a duel. The setting is perfect, autumn in Sag Harbor, full of decay and quiet tension. Strong direction from Nadia Latif, who brings her theater background into some sharp, dialogue driven scenes.
🤯 What Might Lose You
The story is overloaded with metaphors. Some characters feel more like symbols than real people. It moves slow. Real slow. If you’re expecting twists or suspense, this isn’t that kind of film.
🧠 The Bottom Line
The Man in My Basement asks big questions, and it’s not afraid to make you uncomfortable while doing it. But it’s heavy, and at times, it’s trying to do too much. Do you think films should aim for clarity, or is the confusion part of the experience?