Paul Schrader to Shoot ‘The Basics of Philosophy’ This Month — A New Entry in His ‘Man in the Room’ Saga

Back in 2023, Paul Schrader hinted that he might have just “one more” film left in him following a series of health setbacks. Fast forward to 2025, and not only did “Oh, Canada” premiere at Cannes last year, but he’s also lined up two more films — proving he’s far from finished.

He was supposed to shoot “Non-Compos Mentis,” a $5 million New York-set noir about sexual obsession, last November, but I hesr that one got delayed, and he’s opted to shoot the another project.

Schrader is now in prep mode for “The Basics of Philosophy,” which starts shooting June 26. I’m still working on getting casting details for this one, but the folks behind this film clearly want Deadline to publish the exclusive, whenever that may be.

Described as following an “intellectual university philosophy professor,” the film will continue in the stylistic vein of his “Man in a Room” trilogy — “First Reformed,” “The Card Counter,” and “Master Gardener.”

At 78, Schrader’s health remains a concern — he shot “Master Gardener” with an oxygen tank and refused hospital treatment during its final stretch. At Venice, he ominously called that project his “last rodeo.” But as “Oh, Canada” proves — and these new films suggest — he’s still charging forward.

Schrader’s six-decade filmmaking career has been quite the journey. Not counting his own directorial efforts, he’s also written these incredible scripts for “Taxi Driver,” “Rolling Thunder,” “Raging Bull,” “The Last Temptation of Christ” and “Bringing Out the Dead.”

If I had to make a list of his best films as a director, they would have to include “Blue Collar,” “Mishima,” “Affliction,” “Auto Focus,” and “First Reformed.”