The Dutchman follows a twisted game of cat and mouse that becomes uncomfortable at times to watch. André Holland and Kate Mara are captivating.
If you love a twisted movie that will make you think, The Dutchman is for you. This film follows a man named Clay (André Holland) who is struggling to make things work with his wife Kaya (Zazie Beetz) when one of the worst possible things that could happen to them does – a strange woman (Kate Mara) takes an interest in Clay when she meets him on a subway train.
She seems drawn to him like a spider stalking a poor defenseless fly, sinking her teeth into him and claiming him as her own. This twisted game of cat and mouse is sometimes difficult to watch, but in a way that will get viewers thinking. Once she has him in her clutches she knows she can do anything to him and he will just have to sit back and take it – because she is a white woman and he is a Black man, therefore, most people will believe her over him.
A tale of race and politics, things become extremely interesting by the mid-way point as Clay tries to escape her but quickly learns he cannot. Holland and Mara are absolutely phenomenal together, doing a wonderful job of portraying the passion, heartbreak of the diabolical plan that is unfolding.
Both of their performances are completely captivating, making it difficult to look away. They know exactly the roles they are there to perform and while the rest of the cast (including Stephen Henderson & Aldis Hodge) is stellar as well, they often fade away to the background as Mara and Holland step forward.
The Dutchman is based on a one act stage play by the same name. One of my favorite things about this film is that pays homage perfectly to that play throughout the film. There are theater elements woven throughout the movie in a way that is a pleasant surprise, and one that should remain a surprise.
While it adds a bit of a meta twist on things, I rather enjoyed it. That said, others might find it to take away from the overall message that the story is trying to relay. These are some of the best visuals in the movie, that I feel take the entire third act to the next level. That said, it does muddle some of the big reveal and make certain elements a bit confusing – something that is hard to fully explain without spoiling the film.
The Dutchman is a feat of a film that will surely make viewers think about the social injustice that this country is unfortunately still plagued with. Its powerful messaging and uncomfortable themes bleed through in a way that will have audiences thinking about The Dutchman for a long time to come.
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About The Dutchman
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.
The Dutchman premiered at SXSW 2025.
The Dutchman is a feat of a film that will surely make viewers think about the social injustice that this country is unfortunately still plagued with.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.