The Dutchman

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The Dutchman

R

Jan 2026

1h 28m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

Despite strong aesthetics and Andre Holland's richly textured performance, The Dutchman unfolds as a muddled reworking of the stage play that fails to find thematic coherence and a sense of identity.

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Linda Marric

HeyUGuys

Mar 19

3/5

While it does not fully realise its potential, the film succeeds in sparking conversation and challenging its audience.

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Peter Travers

The Travers Take

Jan 9

3/4

In a fresh film take a 1964 race play, Kate Mara’s sexed-up subway rider hits on André Holland like a white Eve out to destroy a Black Adam through assimilation, intimidation, and worse. You can’t watch it passively. It dares you to engage.

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Murtada Elfadl

Variety

Jan 6

The film adds modern references and takes place in the present, but its treatment of the play’s themes remains murky and marred by an inability to let go of what director Andre Gaines evidently considers to be a sacred text.

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Kyle Wolfe

Pop Culture Leftovers

May 30

In the end, The Dutchman lands somewhere between potent and underdeveloped. It carries the weight of its source material, and the performances—particularly from André Holland and Kate Mara—are as committed as the subject matter demands.

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Bill Arceneaux

Moviegoing with Bill

May 22

2.5/5

An innovative interpretation. Brash and daring. It's an ok movie, but never as good or great as it tries to be.

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Romey Norton

InSession Film

May 20

B

Anchored by excellent performances, the film transforms a classic stage confrontation into a contemporary nightmare about race, power, and the dangers hidden beneath performative civility.

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Natasha

Mar 2

I enjoyed the movie and felt that the message was very powerful. I am looking forward to reading the book.

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Juandi

Feb 3

It’s always underwhelming & awkward when good actors can’t make up for a movie that’s lacking in many areas. It had potential to be a fun mind trip but instead ends up leaving you asking “I guess?”

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laurence k

Jan 8

New but still true to the original, The Dutchman ends up impressing on many levels. Terrific acting and music with cinematography that creates an unsettling, disturbing mood throughout. I feel like my audience all knew the original and we all applauded afterwards.

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Marie

Jan 7

This film would’ve been better in the theater rather than theatrical format. While it was short in length, it just felt drawn out to make it 90 minutes. I was alone in the theater and I understood why. There was very little if any marketing and it was boring, beautifully acted but boring for a movie.

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Phillip

Jan 6

I liked it. Shout out Black Love.

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Robert O

Jan 6

Movie should have been better. Needed more depth into the wife’s affair to start the movie to sympathize with the husband and the pain and betrayal he felt. And his affair needed to be much steamier if that was going to be a main focus.

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Andre Gaines

Director

André Holland

Clay

Kate Mara

Lula

Stephen Henderson

Dr. Amiri

Zazie Beetz

Kaya

Aldis Hodge

Warren

7 Films (and 1 TV Series) We Can’t Wait to See at SXSW 2025

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Andre Gaines
Producer: Andre Gaines, Jonathan Baker
Screenwriter: Qasim Basir, Andre Gaines
Distributor: Rogue Pictures / Inaugural Entertainment
Production Co: Federal Films, Cinemation Studios, Washingston Square Films
Rating: R (Brief Violence|Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 2, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 3, 2026
Runtime: 1h 28m