The Caretaker

I enjoyed watching "The Caretaker" (I was treated to a preview as my son was an extra in the film). It's a combination of thriller, detective story and ghost story, well-acted and well-shot. The action begins slowly and does a slow crescendo to the climax, holding the viewer's attention throughout.

The special effects, visual and aural, are done well.

My only criticism is that the rasping sound heard during the ghost's appearances made me think inevitably of Harry Potter speaking Parseltongue which wasn't the intended impression, and I expect that will be so for many viewers! Perhaps an alternative sound (for examples muffled sobbing, heartbeats, running footsteps, a low rumble, a snatch of Ligety music or a combination of these) would work better without triggering distracting associations.

I look forward to further films from this company.

This film filled me with all sorts of emotions from anger to sadness! Anger from the child who suffered abuse from a loveless mother scary as the plot thickened with the twists and turns as the truth came out and emotional at the end! Great performances from everyone! A very dark story which at times had me on the edge of my seat! It had a mixture of everything from failed relationships to the start of a love story with a lot of horror in the middle to the end! Each actor played their part so well from the sad homeless Caretaker to the spoilt upper class Deputy Head Master they had me feeling this story was real !

The Caretaker is a breath of fresh air for British filmmaking, combining a talented bunch of actors and a well thought out script.

Fantastic performances all round with special mention of Scott Hume as the troubled Charles Aberdeen, Ben Probert as our 'mute hero', complemented by the remaining cast assemble, including a very stern butler played by Dave Morris.

Special mention must go out to the sound, reproduced wonderfully in surround, heightening the suspense, as well as very impressive cinematography.

Wonderfully shot, with more than enough jump scares (and the odd bit of laugh out loud comedy) to keep you on your toes.

I watched this film at the cinema with family on 25th January 2025. I wasn't sure what to expect as this is not my usual type of film, I'm more the romantic, comedy type! I was invested in the characters from the start especially the main character, the caretaker. Despite his lack of dialogue I was able to feel his emotions and have a deep empathy for him. The film had a great storyline, with twists, turns and suspense, I wasn't disappointed. It's left me with questions about the characters future which to me is the sign of a great film! I'd recommend watching this film, even if it's not your usual "go to".

I thoroughly enjoyed this film, though I'll admit it took a little while to find its footing. The opening was slower than I expected, but once the story picked up, it more than delivered. The strong storyline and compelling character developments kept me engaged throughout. Each character was layered with their own struggles and demons, which added depth and realism to the narrative.

The main character stood out in particular. Despite being a mute, their emotional range was excellent. The way they conveyed grief, determination, and hope through body language and facial expressions was captivating-a true testament to both the actor's skill and the direction.

Visually, the film was impressive. The cinematography was well executed, with thoughtful framing and lighting that added to the story's tone. The post-production work, from seamless edits and scene transitions, to atmospheric sound design, elevated the experience even further.

Speaking of sound, I couldn't help but notice and appreciate the ASMR-like elements woven into the scenes involving food. The attention to detail in these moments brought an unexpected but delightful sensory element to the film.

Finally, the cast was excellent across the board. Every actor brought their character to life with conviction and nuance, adding richness to an already well-crafted film. Many scenes made me feel uneasy, which proved the cast really nailed their roles.

I highly recommend this film & hope it gets the viewings it deserves. Congratulations to all involved.