If you are a fan of Irish horror movies and narratives where the atmosphere and quiet are just as important as everything else, then the Caveat movie might be your new favorite film. Damian McCarthy’s feature film directorial debut maintains a subdued terror-filled 90 minutes to entrap you in its silence. With nowhere to hide in its skeletal cast, Caveat tells the story of Isaac. He’s just been released from the hospital. Isaac’s former landlord, Barrett drops in and asks for a favor knowing he is keen to make some money. How, or whether the two men are close, is never explained. Barett wants Isaac to look after his troubled niece for 5-days.
Caveat Movie
The opening scenes for the tensely atmospheric and dark story are impressive. We see Olga making her way around an old dusty house. Her nose is bleeding. Utilizing a dirty and macabre-looking ragdoll bunny, the film sets out to empower this thing as if it were a water diviner searching for whatever evil might be lurking around the place. The bunny’s home is within the remote property and is seemingly owned by Olga, the niece of Barrett. This thing’s intentions are never fully explained either.
Rather in a backward coming forward manner, the Caveat film drags Isaac along with his foggy memory and promises a healthy sum of cash. Barett never tells Isaac the job is on an island. Once they arrive an odd conversation manages to convince Isaac to don a jacket which will, in turn, restrict his movements around the strange house. Like a uniform, Barrett explains.
Attached to what can only be described as a chain leash, Isaac is left to his own devices. As the story opens up, the tension does dull down a little at times. With such an exciting lead-up, my enthusiasm waned quickly despite the spooky imagery and set landscape. The overuse of darkness is at times overkill. If you’re not watching on a massive screen, some of the goings-on might be a little lost.
Evil Energiser Bunny
Rather than fill the movie with what audiences expect and crescendo into a big reveal, Caveat teases with the possibilities of what Isaac’s returning memory might reveal. However, without a better sense of who these people are and what their motivations entail, there is a lack of connection with the characters.
What could have been a heavily memorable psychological horror movie instead wafts into the distance with only the creepy bunny’s face drumming his little drum remaining.
I give Caveat
2.5 evil energizer bunnies out of 5
Caveat Movie Trailer
- The cast includes Ben Caplan, Tiffany-Ellen Robinson, Jonathan French, and Conor Dwane.
- Written and directed by Damian Mc Carthy
- Watch Caveat on the Shudder platform from June 3rd, 2021.
- Mother of Movies obtained Caveat as a screener.
Caveat Movie is Streaming on Shudder
The Caveat movie is streaming on the Shudder platform as well as AMC+. It’s also streaming on Vudu for free with a subscription. For more options on where to watch check the information guide on Justwatch.com
