The Caretaker

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.

I was lucky enough to recently receive a screener of The Caretaker - and it's excellent. Pacy, unexpectedly complex, brilliantly jump-scary, surprisingly moving and romantic - with great chemistry between the leads, and beautifully put together. LOVE the way it's lit. It all felt early-70s Stephen King, in all the right ways. And the final act is immensely satisfying.

Performances are fantastic across the board - Ben Probert, in particular, offers a masterclass in naturalism.

Luke Tedder's directing and editing is top notch. It's great to see him tackle low-key horror/thriller.

I can't wait to see what these guys do next!

I believe this is Landa's best film yet, building on their previous experience and success, while branching out into a new genre for this production. The production value is outstanding, far beyond what you would expect from a low budget independent film, making great use of location filming. The film draws you in with an intriguing set up and a few unnerving scenes, then gradually reveals it's moving emotional centre. It's dark but never too dark or exploitative of its subject matter. Hats off especially to Ben Probert's physical performance, Luke Tedder's masterful direction and to the score.

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.

We were lucky enough to see The Caretaker last night on the big screen. An absolutely brilliant film from start to finish. Tense and spooky one minute, emotional the next. So many twists and turns that keeps you gripped from the start, and rooting for the main protagonists. Amazingly talented cast of all ages (including the youngest) all of whom demonstrated great depth, range and emotion. Great cinematography, direction and script with fantastic locations and make up artistry. Everyone who loves a gripping film should see this atmospheric film, its so good and deserves a really wide audience. Well done to entire cast and crew.