Luke Tedder (director)
(studio)
15 (certificate)
114 (length)
14 July 2026 (released)
8 h
Despite offers of a place in a hospice and her continual cruelty towards him, Eddie (Ben Probert) devotedly cares for his mother (Elizabeth May) in her home until her death. After which he loses the house and is reduced to taking whatever becomes available. As he’s told by the careers officer, there’s not much on his CV and his muteness will narrow opportunities.
Nevertheless there is the offer of an interview at the prestigious Lockbridge Academy as a caretaker. He has a perfunctory interview with Charles Aberdeen II (P G Pearson) and an introduction to his son Charles III (Scott Hume), and the post is his.
Eddie is introduced to cleaner Marie (Mackenzie Larsen) who shows him the ropes and the general dos and don’ts. Marie also tells Eddie that the previous caretake didn’t leave. He committed suicide.
This then plays into the odd things that happen around the place. There’s the art teacher Lisa Aberdeen (Lauren Shotton) whose mental frailty hasn’t stopped her from suddenly developing a remarkable talent for painting. The disappearance of a young girl (Livvy Dawson) whose apparition Eddie sees from time to time. Then there’s the story between Marie and Charles II.
Written and directed by Luke Tedder this has the traits of a psychological horror cum thriller. All the elements are present which makes it look busy when he tries to incorporate all these elements as well as a family melodrama. As such the film meanders in places (Eddie spends a lot of time exploring the academy) and contributes to a running time of nearly two hours.
That said Tedder has a good ear with an excellent sound design, and his use of light and shade is very effective. At times developing genuine dread and tension.
Probert is excellent as the traumatised Eddie who is tormented by his own secret. This makes a convincing foil for the affable Marie played by relative newcomer Larsen. These performances are in contrast (though not conflict) with Pearson, Shotton and Hume, who ham their evil aristo roles up to eleven.
The Caretaker will have its worldwide digital release on 14 July 2026.
