The Man in My Basement is a 2025 American psychological thriller directed by Nadia Latif in her feature debut. The film is based on the novel by Walter Mosley, who co-wrote the screenplay. It stars Corey Hawkins, Willem Dafoe, Anna Diop, and Tamara Lawrance.
Set in the quiet, affluent town of Sag Harbor, the story follows Charles Blakey, a down-on-his-luck African American man who’s about to lose his family home. When a strange European businessman offers to rent out Charles’s basement for the summer, Charles agrees—only to find himself pulled into a chilling moral dilemma.
Blending mystery, race relations, and psychological tension, the film dives into themes of power, guilt, and what it means to be responsible for someone else’s actions.
The Man in My Basement is rated R for language, sexual content, graphic nudity, and some violent content. It will be released in theaters and digital platforms in late 2025.
The Man in My Basement Age Rating
The Man in My Basement is officially rated R for the following reasons: language, sexual content, graphic nudity, and some violent content. Below is a closer, spoiler-free look at what parents should know:
Violence
There are some unsettling moments of violence, mostly psychological or implied, with occasional scenes of physical confrontation. Tension builds through manipulation, emotional intimidation, and a growing sense of danger. While not constant, the violence can feel intense due to the film’s serious tone.
Language
The film includes strong language throughout, including racial slurs and other explicit terms. The dialogue reflects the tense and often uncomfortable relationship between the two lead characters.
Sexual Content & Nudity
There are scenes of graphic nudity and sexual content. These moments are not prolonged but are explicit in nature and form part of the film’s exploration of complex adult themes, including moral boundaries and power dynamics.
Mature Themes
The story tackles difficult subjects such as racism, guilt, moral compromise, psychological control, and privilege. These themes are presented in a serious and thought-provoking way, and they may be emotionally challenging for some viewers.
Is The Man in My Basement Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–12: Not suitable. The film contains graphic nudity, mature themes, and strong language that are inappropriate for this age group.
Ages 13–17: Not recommended. Even mature teens may find the content too intense or confusing. The nudity and sexual content alone make it inappropriate, and the complex moral issues require adult-level understanding to fully process.
The Man in My Basement is best suited for adult audiences. It’s a psychological thriller meant to spark deep reflection rather than fast-paced action. Parents should know that while it doesn’t rely heavily on graphic violence, the film’s emotional and thematic intensity makes it more appropriate for older, mature viewers.
What Parents Can Do
Preview First: Watch the film on your own to assess whether your older teen can handle the content.
Talk About the Themes: If your teen watches it, have a conversation about the story’s moral questions and how power can shape human behavior.
Discuss Boundaries: Use the film as an opportunity to discuss emotional manipulation, trust, and consent.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for The Man in My Basement?
A: The film is rated R for language, sexual content, graphic nudity, and some violent content.
Q: Is The Man in My Basement appropriate for teens?
A: No. The film is best for adults due to its explicit content and mature subject matter.
Q: Does the movie contain graphic violence?
A: Some violence is present, but is not the main focus. It is mostly psychological and disturbing.
Q: Is there nudity in the film?
A: Yes. There are scenes of graphic nudity and sexual content.
Q: Where can I watch The Man in My Basement?
A: The film will be released in theaters and on digital platforms in late 2025.