Willem Dafoe, Corey Hawkins, Anna Diop, and director Nadia Latif recently discussed their film The Man in My Basement, adapted from Walter Mosley’s novel. The story unfolds in a deteriorating Sag Harbor home, where a mysterious businessman triggers a psychological thriller centered on themes of race, trauma, and inner demons. Dafoe and Hawkins lead the cast, while Latif makes her feature directing debut, guiding the ensemble through a tense and unforgettable journey. The conversation took place with host Kyle Meredith, offering insights into the film’s creation and meaning.
Willem Dafoe on Embracing Uncertainty in Acting
For Willem Dafoe, the appeal of working on The Man in My Basement was rooted in facing the unknown. He explained that every project begins with uncertainty and insecurity, which invigorates his performance rather than leading to complacency. Dafoe likened acting to childhood pretend play, fully immersing in the role to the point where the challenges seem real:
“You always at the beginning say, ‘Hm, how does this go?’ No matter how many times you do it, you start from insecurity,”
—Willem Dafoe
“But that’s what keeps you alive and not just sleepwalking through stuff you already know.”
—Willem Dafoe
“If you can survive this stuff in pretend, you start to get the illusion you can survive it in life.”
—Willem Dafoe
Director Nadia Latif on Personalizing Walter Mosley’s Story
Nadia Latif highlighted the importance of making the film deeply personal. She connected the lead character Charles Blakey’s experience of grief to her own fears of loss, emphasizing that authenticity is essential in filmmaking:
“Every film has to be personal. You cannot make a film that is not personal to you,”
—Nadia Latif
Anna Diop added that using the thriller genre allows the film to explore difficult themes without feeling preachy:
“Nobody wants to be lectured to. So genre gives filmmakers a way to get really important topics across while putting it in this more entertaining way.”
—Anna Diop
Corey Hawkins described his approach to portraying Charles as fluid, adapting to the emotional demands of each scene. He acknowledged the discomfort this brought, a feeling intended to resonate with the audience:
“[My character] is like water, shaping to whatever moment he’s in. It was uncomfortable to sit in, but uncomfortable as it should be for the viewer.”
—Corey Hawkins
Anticipating the Impact of The Man in My Basement
The film’s exploration of complex issues such as race and trauma through a psychological thriller create a tense atmosphere that challenges viewers emotionally. With strong performances from Willem Dafoe and Corey Hawkins, and Nadia Latif’s fresh directorial vision, The Man in My Basement is positioned to spark important conversations. Audiences can expect a gripping narrative that intertwines the unsettling with the personal, making the story a vivid reflection on human resilience and fear.
