OUT NOW The Dutchman

[Infamous114]

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Clay, a successful but troubled black businessman, attends therapy sessions with his wife, Kaya, in an attempt to salvage their marriage. But their mysterious therapist is not all that he seems, and begins to unexpectedly appear to Clay outside of their sessions. On a New York subway train, Clay encounters Lula, a seductive but sinister white stranger who slowly begins to unravel his life. Clay must discover the truth behind this encounter to get back to his wife, heal his fractured soul, and survive the night. In this modern adaptation of the 1964 Obie Award winning play, The Dutchman brings a contemporary edge to the original, exploring themes of race and identity in America.​

 

[Infamous114]

 

[Infamous114]

This is out in theaters

 

[Infamous114]

This is out on digital

 

[neo2090]

The Dutchman


PRAISE: Clay is going through it in life and its written all over his as he sits through couples therapy with his wife Kaya. I was on the same page with Clay because being cheated on in a long term relationship can throw anyone for a loop. When temptation to get some kind of sexual pleasure as revenge is dangled right in front of you for Clay its a temptress named Lula why not go for it. Andre Holland as Clay and Kate Mara as Lula turn in excellent performances. This 2026 version of the 1966 film goes for more of a Twighlight Zone vibe and I didn't mind it at all as I wondered what kind of trouble had Clay actually gotten himself into. The biblical reference about temptation also boldly stood out. Even when the film goes to race relations i was on board for some of it especially when the film nods to how most injustices racial or other are resolved in modern times,and look at all of the good things that came from being oppressed falls right under the lame, oblivious and horrible thinking that slavery was a choice.

PROBLEMS: Reading about the 1966 film it definitely sounds more interesting than this 2026 version. The themes in that version sound 100 times more relevant than this modern version especially in its time period. If this movie was structured differently i would have been drawn in further with its discussion of race but this film chooses to wait for such discussions and focuses on the unnecessary. If the film had added some obliviousness to Clay the story would have worked better for me. The race relations discussions between Clay and Lula are far to short and more like put downs instead of trying to prove points. Likely why the 1966 version is better.

Scale of 1 to 10 a 6½