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THE CARETAKER
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WINNER OF 20+ INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS.​​
UK PREMIERE 23RD AUGUST AT FRIGHTFEST 2025.
Odeon Luxe, West End, 3.35PM.
​COMING TO UK CINEMAS OCTOBER 3RD 2025.
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Psychological thriller / horror.
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113 minutes.
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Director & Writer - Luke Tedder​​
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FrightFest 2025 Official Selection
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UK & Ireland Theatrical & VOD - Distributor AJAMAX.​
THE STORY & THEMES
A character-driven horror-thriller set at Lockbridge Academy, an isolated school on the coast, run by the powerful aristocratic Aberdeen family, who are hiding a dark secret. Eddie, a mute burdened with caring for his cruel, ailing mother, who is on the cusp of losing their home, takes a caretaker position at the foreboding Lockbridge. There, he meets a cleaner named Marie, sparking an instant connection that will alter the trajectory of his life, while unraveling a sinister mystery lurking within the school that could shatter the Aberdeen family legacy forever.
The Caretaker explores the themes of overcoming communication boundaries, power dynamics and how childhood trauma shapes adult lives.
THE CHARACTERS
"Eddie" - Ben Probert
Eddie is a thirty-something year old mute, affected by a traumatic childhood and isolated adult life, to say Eddie hasn't had it easy would be an understatement. Luckily for Eddie his fortunes seemingly turn in his favor when he's offered a job at the elite Lockbridge Academy as a Caretaker.
Ben Probert is an award-winning British actor known for his emotionally raw performances and dedication to independent cinema. Born in Ascot, Berkshire, Ben discovered a passion for acting and storytelling while studying Drama and Art at Charters School in Sunningdale.
After early work in catering and qualifying as an electrician, Ben returned to his creative roots, co-founding Full House Productions with his brother Josh Probert and friend Josh Reeve. Their sketches and web series drew local media attention, setting the stage for Ben’s screen career.
Ben’s growing filmography includes roles in major productions such as The Monuments Men, Powder Room, and A Royal Night Out, as well as numerous indie projects with Landa Pictures. In 2016, he starred as Hunter in Precognition, which premiered at Sci-Fi London and Other Worlds Austin before streaming on Amazon Prime.
During the pandemic, Ben wrote and directed Self-Isolation, winning Best Film and Best Acting Duo (with his brother Josh) at several international festivals.
"Marie" - Mackenzie Larsen
Marie is a down-to-earth and down on her luck cleaner working at the isolated Lockbridge Academy under the thumb of the controlling aristocratic Aberdeen family, after a painful break up she's determined to re-build her life and pass the entrance exam for law school.
This role is Mackenzie's feature film debut, for which she has won 6 best actress awards at international festivals, including the LA Film Awards.
Mackenzie is an award winning actor, writer, and musician. Since graduating with an MFA in acting from LAMDA in 2022, she has co-founded radio-drama theatre company "Other Mysteries Theatre", as well as being half of the writing partnership Larsen & Chalk. Her powerful musical a "Heaven Has No Rage" about new motherhood is premiering at The Other Palace in 2026, alongside developing a second musical "The Devil's Work".
Mackenzie is an accomplished songwriter & solo artist, currently working on her debut album "Hiding".
Her other most recent credits include: Lily in The Painting, Kate in Small Talks, Paige in Styx & Stones. Recent Theatre: A in Odd Jobs, Iris Osiris in The Graveyard Snack: Live (Other Mysteries Theatre), Myrtle in The Midnight Snack: Live (Other Mysteries Theatre, OffFest Nomination), Sarah Hollis in The Welkin, Mrs Van Buren in Intimate Apparel, and Natash in Three Sisters.
"Charles" - Scott Hume
Charles Aberdeen the 3rd is the son of a rich aristocrat, deputy head of the elite Lockbridge Academy and a complicated man with anger issues. His recent break up with Marie has sent him on an emotional downward spiral of jealous rage compounded with a dark past that he can't run away from.
Scott Hume is a versatile UK actor whose performances span film, television, and theatre. He recently portrayed Guy Woodhouse in the psychological thriller Apartment 7A (2024), and earned a Best Actor Award at the Eastern Europe International Movie Awards — for his powerful lead performance as Adam in the short film Purgatory #Breakthecycle (2021).
Scott’s screen work includes appearances in Netflix’s The Crown as a Royal Detective, Autopsy: The Last Hours of… as Jerry Lewis, and a brief turn as a Stormtrooper in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. He has also delivered compelling performances in shorts such as The Grey Room, Stuck, and the drama PREMature.
On stage, Scott was the understudy in the West End production of Lyonesse, starring Lily James and Kristin Scott Thomas, and played Scott in the off-West End production of The Girl on the Train, showcasing his depth and presence in live performance.
"Lisa" - Lauren
Born rich and on the surface a spoiled bully, Lisa on paper seems like she's had an easy life but an unresolved trauma has pushed her to make questionable decisions, in a family where she already feels like an outsider.
"Aberdeen" - P G Pearson
Headmaster and father to Charles & Lisa, Aberdeen has spent his life running Lockbridge Academy and leveraging his massive wealth to his family's advantage. On the surface he appears a calm and pragmatic man but beneath the polished exterior lies a murky past that if discovered could destroy his family reputation.
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