Caveat (2020)
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A man with memory loss takes a job guarding a disturbed woman on a remote island, only to find himself trapped in a web of secrets.
The story
After being discharged from the hospital, Isaac, an amnesiac drifter, is hired by Moe Barrett to look after his brother Ed's daughter Olga. The job takes place in a house on a remote island. Isaac is required to wear a chained leather harness that prevents him from leaving the house or entering Olga's room. As Isaac explores the property, he begins to notice unsettling details about the house and his own presence there, while the girl, Olga, remains in a catatonic state. The situation becomes increasingly tense as Isaac must navigate the physical and psychological constraints of his role while dealing with the mysterious circumstances surrounding the girl's care.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Isaac, a man with memory loss, is hired by Moe to guard Olga, the daughter of a deceased man, on a remote island. Isaac is physically restrained by a chain and told not to enter Olga's room. However, Isaac discovers a hidden corpse behind a wall and realizes the truth of his situation. After a series of supernatural occurrences and a confrontation with Moe, Isaac manages to free himself but finds himself trapped on the island. He eventually realizes that he was previously at the house and had been involved in the tragedy that befell Olga's family. He eventually manages to escape the house, while Moe is confronted by the corpse of Olga's mother. The film ends with Isaac and a chained Olga facing each other from a distance.
- First release year
- 2020
- Runtime (minutes)
- 88
- Production countries
- Ireland; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Damian McCarthy
- Writers
- Damian McCarthy · writer
- Cast and characters
- Johnny French · Isaac; Leila Sykes · Olga; Ben Caplan · Moe Barrett, Olga's uncle; Conor Dwane · Olga's father; Inma Pavon · Olga's mother; Charlie · Jed the dog
- Genres
- horror; psychological thriller
- Themes
- memory loss; isolation; supernatural
- Tone and mood
- gothic; tense; eerie
- Setting
- A house on a remote island.
- Premise and plot tags
- amnesia; island; basement
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews for its atmosphere and direction, though some critics found it less rewarding than it was intriguing. It was noted for its effective use of a low budget to create a sense of unease.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 60 · scale: 100
- Production trivia
- The film was shot in West Cork.; The toy rabbit was acquired via eBay.; The house used for filming was Bantry House.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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