Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Paul Schrader’s The Basics of Philosophy Probes Guilt and Change
The Basics of Philosophy is a new movie written and directed by Paul Schrader.
Jack Huston plays John, a philosophy professor at a college in the American Midwest.
John has hidden a serious wrong he committed in the past.
Miguel, who was 14 when the events began, returns many years later.
Miguel wants John to face what happened and provide closure.
This causes John’s carefully built life to fall apart.
The movie asks whether someone who has done terrible things can truly change.
It also uses ideas from religion and philosophy to explore guilt and responsibility.
The reviewer says the film is challenging but still tells an engaging story.
Paul Schrader’s film premiered out of competition at the Venice Film Festival.
Jack Huston plays philosophy professor Dr. John Jorrison, who hides a troubling past.
Jorrison’s former victim, Miguel Vasque, returns seeking closure over a sexual relationship that began when he was 14.
The story examines guilt, religious ideas, personal responsibility and whether people can change.
The 94-minute film also stars Sofia Boutella, Daniel Zovalto, Bill Pullman and Karl Glusman.
- Who
- Director-screenwriter Paul Schrader; Jack Huston as Dr. John Jorrison; Daniel Zovalto as the older Miguel Vasque; and Sofia Boutella as Rebecca.
- What
- A 94-minute drama about a philosophy professor confronting his hidden past after a former victim returns.
- When
- It premiered on a Friday at the Venice Film Festival; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- At the Venice Film Festival; much of the story takes place at a Midwestern U.S. college.
- Why
- The film explores guilt, responsibility, religious and philosophical ideas, and whether people can change.
- Title
- The Basics of Philosophy
- Director-screenwriter
- Paul Schrader
- Festival
- Venice Film Festival, out of competition
- Running time
- 1 hour 34 minutes
- Lead actor
- Jack Huston as Dr. John Jorrison
- Central conflict
- Miguel Vasque returns to confront Jorrison about a sexual relationship that began when Miguel was 14.
- Producers
- Braxton Pope and David Wulf
- Executive producer
- Martin Scorsese