Willem Dafoe Stars in Hulu Thriller The Man in My Basement

The Man in My Basement, a psychological thriller directed by Nadia Latif and based on Walter Mosley's novel, is set to release in theaters and on Hulu in Fall 2025. The film stars Corey Hawkins as Charles Blakey, a man facing foreclosure on his ancestral home in the historically Black community of Sag Harbor, New York, who rents his basement to a mysterious businessman, Anniston Bennet, played by Willem Dafoe. What begins as a financial arrangement quickly turns into a dark and disturbing psychological game that explores themes of race, trauma, mental health, and generational pain. Latif's adaptation shifts the story's timeline to the early 1990s to coincide with the Rwandan genocide, adding a deeper meditation on history and evil. The film promises a mix of eerie atmospheres and intellectual depth, with a script that interrogates cultural significance and legacy, highlighted by strong performances from Dafoe and Hawkins. Additional cast members include Anna Diop and Tamara Lawrance, and the film aims to be a bold, thought-provoking thriller with layered storytelling.