Charles Blakey is a man adrift. Facing financial ruin and the impending loss of his family’s ancestral home in Sag Harbor, he is paralyzed by shame and a deep sense of failure. His life takes a bizarre and unsettling turn when a mysterious, impeccably dressed white businessman with a chilling European accent, Anniston Bennet, makes him a singular offer: a large sum of money to rent his basement for the summer. Desperate, Charles agrees, unaware that he is not merely renting a room, but becoming a jailer and a participant in a deeply psychological and moral experiment.

Based on the acclaimed novel by Walter Mosley, this gripping psychological thriller delves into themes of power, guilt, race, and inherited trauma. As Bennet moves into the confined space, the dynamic between the two men shifts in unpredictable ways, forcing Charles to confront his own identity, the weight of his family’s history, and the unsettling nature of good and evil. The basement becomes a crucible, and the strange arrangement forces a reckoning that will change Charles Blakey forever.

The Man in My Basement movie cast

1. Corey Hawkins as Charles Blakey

Corey Hawkins delivers a masterful performance as Charles Blakey, capturing the character’s profound ennui, simmering frustration, and deep-seated connection to a home that represents both his heritage and his prison. Hawkins portrays Charles with a relatable vulnerability, making his desperation palpable as he reluctantly agrees to the strange bargain that threatens his very sanity. His performance is a quiet storm of internal conflict, conveyed through weary eyes and a guarded posture that slowly unravels as the film progresses.

Throughout the film, Hawkins masterfully charts Charles’s transformation from a passive victim of circumstance into an active participant in a terrifying psychological duel. He is forced to confront not only the enigmatic Anniston Bennet but also the demons of his own past and the unresolved legacy of his ancestors. Hawkins ensures that Charles’s journey is not just about survival, but about a hard-won and painful self-discovery, making his arc both haunting and profoundly cathartic.

2. Willem Dafoe as Anniston Bennet

Willem Dafoe is utterly mesmerizing and chillingly ambiguous as Anniston Bennet, the stranger who offers Charles a way out of his financial despair. Dafoe brings an unnerving, calculated precision to the role, crafting a character whose polite, European demeanor masks a formidable and manipulative intellect. His every gesture and softly spoken word is laden with unsettling subtext, creating an atmosphere of creeping dread that permeates every scene he is in.

Dafoe’s genius lies in his ability to make Bennet simultaneously sinister, pathetic, and fascinating. He is a man voluntarily entombing himself, and Dafoe explores the complex layers of guilt, penance, and control that motivate this bizarre act. His dynamic with Hawkins is the terrifying heart of the film—a complex dance of power, morality, and racial history made electrifying by two actors at the peak of their powers.

3. Anna Diop as Narciss Gully

Anna Diop brings strength, intelligence, and compelling warmth to the role of Narciss Gully, a local historian and love interest who becomes Charles’s confidante and moral anchor. Diop portrays Narciss as a woman deeply connected to the history of Sag Harbor, her own sense of identity and purpose providing a stark contrast to Charles’s drift. She represents a tether to the community and to a reality outside of the bizarre situation unfolding in Charles’s basement.

Diop’s performance is crucial as she becomes the audience’s ally in questioning Bennet’s motives and challenging Charles’s passivity. Her character is not merely a supportive figure; she is an active agent whose own curiosity and concern propel the mystery forward. Her scenes with Hawkins are charged with a genuine chemistry that offers glimpses of a normal life and happiness that Charles fears he may never attain.

4. Brian Bovell as Brent Blakey

Brian Bovell appears as Brent Blakey, Charles’s more successful and pragmatic cousin who represents a different path and a source of familial tension. Bovell brings a grounded, no-nonsense energy to the role, portraying Brent as a man frustrated by Charles’s inability to manage his affairs and wary of the strange deal he has made. His character highlights the pressures and expectations within the Blakey family.

Bovell’s performance effectively creates a realistic familial dynamic, with Brent serving as a voice of reason and skepticism. Their interactions are fraught with the complicated history of siblings, filled with both rivalry and a deep, unshakeable bond. Brent becomes a crucial link to the outside world, his concern growing as Charles becomes more deeply entangled in Bennet’s web.

5. Tamara Lawrance as Bethany

Tamara Lawrance makes a memorable impact as Bethany, a sharp and perceptive friend to Charles who is immediately suspicious of Anniston Bennet and his arrangements. Lawrance brings a witty and skeptical energy to the film, her character serving as an early warning system and the voice of the audience’s own doubts. Her clear-eyed perspective cuts through the strange mystique that Bennet cultivates.

Lawrance’s performance, though limited in screen time, is vital in establishing the off-kilter nature of Bennet’s proposal from an outside viewpoint. Her interactions with Charles are filled with the easy rapport of long-time friends, and her genuine concern for his well-being adds another layer of stakes to the increasingly dangerous situation.

6. Gershwyn Eustache Jnr as Clarence Mayhew

Gershwyn Eustache Jnr portrays Clarence Mayhew, a lifelong friend and local figure in Sag Harbor. Eustache Jnr brings a sense of easygoing camaraderie and local authenticity to the role, representing the community that Charles feels he is failing. His character offers a glimpse into the normal, everyday life that continues just outside of Charles’s escalating personal crisis.

His performance grounds the film in its specific setting, emphasizing the tight-knit nature of the community and the weight of personal history that each character carries. Clarence is a reminder of the world Charles is in danger of losing, both his home and his place within the social fabric of his town.

7. Pamela Nomvete as Irene Littleneck

The esteemed Pamela Nomvete brings gravitas and wisdom to the role of Irene Littleneck, an elderly community matriarch who possesses a long memory and a deep understanding of the area’s history. Nomvete’s performance is layered with quiet authority and intuitive knowledge, her character potentially holding keys to understanding the deeper implications of the Blakey family’s legacy and the strange man in the basement.

Nomvete, even in a limited role, commands the screen with a powerful presence. Irene serves as a link to the past, her insights suggesting that the currents of history and guilt running through the narrative are deeper and more complex than they initially appear. She is a keeper of secrets and a voice of ancestral wisdom.

8. Shellia Kennedy as Aunt Peaches

Shellia Kennedy appears as Aunt Peaches, a relative from Charles’s past whose memory or legacy hangs over the family home. Kennedy’s role, likely appearing in flashbacks or through Charles’s memories, helps to flesh out the rich family history that Charles feels obligated to protect. She represents the generations that came before and the weight of their experiences within the home.

Kennedy’s performance adds emotional depth and historical context to Charles’s struggle. The memory of Aunt Peaches and her connection to the house becomes a symbol of what is truly at stake—not just a building, but the physical manifestation of his family’s journey, resilience, and memory, making the threat of its loss even more profound.

The Supporting Ensemble

The film is bolstered by strong performances from Jonathan Ajayi as Ricky Winkler, Mark Arnold as Wilson Ryder, and Brooke Walter as a Newsreader, each adding crucial layers to the world of Sag Harbor and the narrative’s unfolding mystery. Their collective presence creates a fully realized community that forms the backdrop for this intimate and psychological two-hander.

Why The Man in My Basement Is a Must-See

• Psychological Intensity: A chilling, thought-provoking thriller that explores complex themes of power, guilt, and race.

• Award-Worthy Performances: Corey Hawkins and Willem Dafoe deliver stunning, powerhouse performances in a gripping two-hander.

• Literary Pedigree: Based on the acclaimed novel by master storyteller Walter Mosley.

• Unforgettable Story: A unique and haunting narrative that will linger long after the credits roll.

Some Prisons Have No Bars. The Man in My Basement premieres in theaters September 12, 2025.