I just walked out of the theater for 'The Dutchman' and honestly, I'm still processing it. My coffee's getting cold because I keep staring into space, replaying certain scenes in my head. It wasn't the thriller I expected from the poster - it's heavier, more psychological. I feel this weird mix of admiration for what it tried to do and frustration with how it stumbled. That subway setting is still haunting me - the claustrophobia, the tension. I keep thinking about André Holland's face in that final shot. It's one of those movies that sticks with you, even when parts of it don't quite work.
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What's The Dutchman About?
The Dutchman follows a successful Black businessman, played by André Holland, whose life is already fraying at the edges. On a late-night New York subway ride, he encounters a mysterious white woman, Kate Mara. What starts as an awkward conversation spirals into a tense psychological duel that forces him to confront his identity, his marriage, and the masks he wears. It's a pressure-cooker of a film set almost entirely underground.
What Works in The Dutchman
- ✓ André Holland's performance is phenomenal. You feel every ounce of his internal conflict and simmering rage in his eyes.
- ✓ The claustrophobic subway cinematography is masterful. You can almost smell the stale air and feel the train's vibrations.
- ✓ The core concept is intellectually gripping. It tackles race, class, and performance in modern America head-on.
- ✓ Stephen McKinley Henderson, in his brief scenes, delivers a monologue about 'wearing the suit' that absolutely gutted me.
What Doesn't Work
- ✗ The pacing drags in the middle. There's a 15-minute stretch where the cat-and-mouse feels repetitive.
- ✗ Kate Mara's character sometimes veers into caricature. Her motivations felt more like a plot device than a real person.
- ✗ The ending, while bold, left me a bit unsatisfied. It felt more like a statement than a conclusion to the story we'd been following.
Standout Moments & Performances
Two moments are burned into my brain. First, the initial meeting on the train. The way Holland's character politely tries to disengage, and Mara's character just... doesn't let him. The micro-aggressions are so subtle and sharp. I felt my own shoulders tensing up. Second, a flashback scene with Zazie Beetz. It's quiet, just a couple arguing in a kitchen, but it reveals so much about the hollow core of his 'successful' life. It made the whole subway confrontation hurt more. There's also a moment where Holland looks at his reflection in the dark train window - the sheer exhaustion on his face said more than any dialogue could.
Main Cast: André Holland, Kate Mara, Zazie Beetz, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Aldis Hodge
Direction, Music & Visuals
Director Andre Gaines makes a bold choice to keep us trapped in that subway car, and it mostly pays off. The cinematography uses sickly fluorescent lights and deep shadows to create unease. The sound design is brilliant - the screech of the train becomes a character, amplifying the tension. The score is minimal, just low drones that make your stomach knot. Performance-wise, Holland carries the film. He's in every frame, and his journey from composed professional to a man unraveling is heartbreaking. Mara is effective, if a bit one-note at times. The real weakness, technically, is the script's structure - it needed another pass to tighten that saggy middle act.
Director: Andre Gaines
Who Should Watch The Dutchman?
If you're into slow-burn, talky psychological dramas that prioritize ideas and atmosphere over plot, give this a shot. Fans of plays-turned-films or chamber-piece thrillers like 'Locke' will appreciate the confined setting. It's also essential viewing for anyone interested in nuanced conversations about racial dynamics and performative identity. Be ready to sit with your discomfort.
Who Might Want to Skip?
If you're looking for a fast-paced, action-packed thriller, this is not it. The 'thriller' tag is misleading. Also, if you prefer clear-cut resolutions and easily digestible messages, the ambiguous, challenging ending will likely frustrate you.
Final Verdict
Look, it's a flawed film. That 4.3 rating isn't entirely unfair - it's messy and uneven. But there's something so raw and ambitious here that I have to respect it. I wouldn't watch it again next week, but I might in a year, to see what else I pull from it. I'd recommend it with major caveats: go for the powerhouse performance from André Holland and the suffocating atmosphere, not for a tidy narrative. It's a movie that provokes a reaction, even if that reaction is debate and frustration, and sometimes that's more valuable than something perfectly polished.
