Where Was The Man in My Basement Filmed in 2025?

The Man in My Basement is an upcoming psychological thriller based on the novel by bestselling author Walter Mosley. Directed by Nadia Latif, the film explores themes of race, power, and morality, all centered around a mysterious deal made between two very different men. This movie also marks Latif’s directorial debut for a feature film.

Starring Corey Hawkins as Charles Blakey and Willem Dafoe as the enigmatic Anniston Bennet, the cast also features Anna Diop and Tamara Lawrance in key roles. Though the story takes place in Sag Harbor, New York, the actual filming locations were quite different—and may surprise you.

At NetFilming, we dug into all the details behind the scenes, including when and where the movie was filmed and how the team recreated a New York setting overseas.

The Man in My Basement Filming Locations

While the novel is set in the historically Black seaside town of Sag Harbor in Long Island, New York, the movie was entirely filmed in Wales, United Kingdom. The production team identified several great places to film that let them recreate the feel of a tiny American town while keeping things under control and under budget.

The main places where the movie was filmed are listed below:

1. Cardiff, Wales

The major place where the movie was filmed was the capital of Wales. The UK film industry knows Cardiff for its many filming venues and skilled production teams. It also has contemporary studios and other facilities that let the filmmakers build intricate scenarios indoors and outside.

On January 30, 2024, filming in Cardiff began, transforming several local streets and neighborhoods to resemble Sag Harbor. Cardiff’s blend of old and new buildings contributed to the story’s setting.

2. Wales’s Carmarthenshire

The crew also filmed shots in Carmarthenshire, a beautiful area in southwest Wales, to get more rural and tranquil backgrounds. The quiet settings of the location were perfect for the story’s more serious and solitary parts.

The production team was able to make Carmarthenshire’s natural landscapes and old houses look like suburban Long Island neighborhoods without having to film in the US.

3. Llandybie, Wales

Llandybie, a village in Carmarthenshire, was another important place to film. Several sequences were shot at places like the Llandybie Rugby Club parking lot and light industrial estates, which were changed to look like American-style streets and company fronts.

The filmmakers even brought in U.S.-style props, vehicles, and storefront signage to ensure authenticity. Some behind-the-scenes shots also showed the use of digital effects and skywriting visuals to enhance the American town feel.

These efforts made it possible to recreate the story’s 1990s setting while filming entirely in the UK.

Why was the movie filmed in Wales instead of New York?

Choosing Wales over New York wasn’t just about cost—it was a smart creative and logistical move.

• Controlled Environment: Filming in smaller, quieter towns like Llandybie allowed the team to work with fewer interruptions and complete scenes more efficiently.
• Regional Support: The production received support from Ffilm Cymru Wales, Creative Wales, and Film4, which made it easier to manage budgets while maintaining a high-quality production.
• Visual Match: With the right set design, American-style props, and a few digital tweaks, the locations in Wales closely resembled the mood and appearance of Sag Harbor in 1994.

This approach has become increasingly popular in independent filmmaking, especially for movies with tight production schedules or unique setting requirements.

When Was The Man in My Basement Filmed?

Principal photography started on January 30, 2024, in Cardiff, Wales. Although the production team hasn’t publicly confirmed the exact end date, typical indie thrillers like this wrap up within 6 to 10 weeks.

Based on that timeline, it’s likely that filming concluded sometime in March or April 2024.

About the Story and What to Expect

The story focuses on Charles Blakey (Corey Hawkins), who inhabits the family house located in Sag Harbor. One day, a peculiar proposition comes his way from a wealthy and enigmatic white businessman, Anniston Bennet (Willem Dafoe), who wants to rent Blakey’s basement for the entire summer—and in cash, with minimal questions to be answered.

A straightforward exchange quickly transforms into a psychological contest, compelling both participants to confront complex personal and social issues.

The movie adds another layer by setting the story in 1994, using the Rwandan genocide as a subtle backdrop. This choice deepens the film’s themes of trauma, guilt, and history, making it more than just a suspense thriller.

The Man in My Basement Official Trailer

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with deeper meaning, The Man in My Basement is one to watch in 2025.

Read More: Wicked: For Good Filming Locations & Behind the Scenes