"enough genuine dread and pitch-black wit to make it worth your time".
"a chilling slow-burn that turns isolation into terror, pairing confident direction with a haunting central performance"
"it really works: moody, heartfelt, and a bit haunting. And the ending? Loved it."
"an impressive piece of independent cinema. It delivers heartfelt storytelling that leaves a powerful impact."
"different to anything I've seen before"
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An original character-driven gothic horror-thriller.
At the isolated elite Lockbridge Academy, some secrets are meant to stay buried. Eddie (Ben Probert), a mute caretaker, and Marie (Mackenzie Larsen), a cleaner desperate for a second chance, exist on the fringes of the school’s cold, aristocratic prestige. When a restless spirit begins to manifest, Eddie and Marie are bound together by a ghostly ultimatum: unearth the academy’s blood-soaked history, or become part of it.
The Caretaker explores the themes of overcoming communication barriers, power dynamics and how childhood trauma shapes adult lives.
"leaves a bold impression that refuses to budge".
Written & Directed By Luke Tedder
"For The Caretaker I wanted to do a slow-burn character driven film that builds up to a boundary pushing climax that you won't see coming. It's important that we see the delicate bond between Eddie and Marie grow, transcending their communication barriers to become something worth fighting for, as it's inevitable that these characters you grow to love are going to get put through hell. So I'm warning you now, your heart may get broken."
The Production
The Caretaker went from its first table read in February 2024 to cameras rolling that May. We made it with a small crew, a tight budget and as many practical effects as we could pull off.
The shoot ran to 32 days across most of 2024, scheduled in blocks around location availability, and closed with a four day finale of set builds, heavy prosthetics and stunts. Post-production took on 114 VFX shots and
the finished film screened for cast and crew in January 2025.
Festivals and Release
The film premiered to a sold out house at FrightFest in Leicester Square in August 2025. It went on to 51 international festival selections and 50 awards, including Best Director (UK Feature) at Bournemouth International Film Festival and Audience Choice for Best Feature at Glowflare Horror Festival, where the tour wrapped in 2026. Along the way it had a select UK cinema release and our own mobile screening event for more than 160 people.
Watch
Streaming now on Prime Video and Fandango at Home in the US. Coming soon to the UK and Europe.
