As a seasoned cinephile who has been fortunate enough to witness the evolution of modern horror cinema, I can confidently say that Damian Mc Carthy’s Caveat is a hidden gem that deserves more attention. Having been introduced to his work with the critically acclaimed Oddity this year, I was eager to delve deeper into his oeuvre and was not disappointed.
Prior to making a splash among horror enthusiasts this year with his acclaimed low-budget indie production titled “Oddity”, Damian Mc Carthy had already directed his first feature film in 2020, which has so far been a largely overlooked gem. Thanks to Shudder, Mc Carthy’s debut film, “Caveat”, is now accessible for streaming on their platform. If you found “Oddity” chilling, I recommend not missing out on this one as it offers the same level of terror.
Starring Johnny French, the film follows his partially amnesiac drifter character of Isaac as he takes a job caring for a psychologically disturbed woman (Leila Sykes) on a remote island. It’s a simple premise, but the way Mc Carthy executes it is a wonder to behold. Like Oddity, it’s somewhat of a slow build, inducing dread and anxiety with each passing frame to create an atmospheric horror film that descends deeper and deeper into madness as its mystery is revealed. And while Oddity had that disturbing wooden mannequin, Caveat has a creepy stuffed bunny tied to its story that will definitely give you goosebumps.
Despite having an 83% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes compared to Oddity’s 96%, don’t dismiss Caveat as it’s still a film you should consider watching. Given that it’s director, Mc Carthy’s debut feature, the quality of what he managed to produce with a budget of approximately $300,000 is truly impressive. Skillfully combining supernatural and psychological elements, Caveat is undoubtedly worth dedicating 90 minutes of your weekend to watching.
Caveat Uses Familiar Horror Tropes To Lure You In
Initially watching “Caveat,” seasoned horror enthusiasts will swiftly spot several common genre motifs. For instance, it’s set in a remote area, features a spooky toy, and includes an unsettling woman designed to induce the shivers. According to McCarthy in his interview with Moving Pictures Film Club, these elements were strategically used for one specific purpose: to create a sense of security, only to unexpectedly snatch it away at the opportune moment.
Though it might seem conventional at first glance, with the island, the dimly lit basement, eerie wind-up toys, and paintings, my goal was to breathe new life into these elements. By making them recognizable to the audience, I hoped to create a sense of ‘been there, done that’. If viewers think ‘I’ve seen this before, so it won’t scare me’, I can then leverage their familiarity to surprise them when they least expect it.
The strategy he executed skillfully was deceiving, as the movie unexpectedly changes direction after you’ve grown accustomed to its themes and engaging elements. This sudden shift keeps you off-balance throughout the rest of the film, adding an element of fun. Remarkably, this technique was employed again in “Oddity”, achieving perfection. Currently, these films can be streamed on Shudder for $6.99 a month, or consider AMC+ at $8.99 per month which offers Shudder and several other excellent channels as well.
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2024-11-16 20:33