Caveat is a 2020 Irish horror film written, directed, and edited by Damian Mc Carthy in his feature directorial debut. He also wrote Oddity (2024). Starring Johnny French and Leila Sykes, the story follows a drifter suffering from partial memory loss who agrees to care for a psychologically disturbed woman in a house located on a secluded island.

To be honest, I was surprised by this one. For a low-budget indie film, I found Caveat to be creative, creepy, and suspenseful. I wouldn’t call it terrifying, but it definitely offers more than you would expect from such a minimal setup. It does a lot with very little, and I respect that. Johnny French was a standout for me. He handled the role of Isaac really well and brought a lot of quiet intensity to the character.

I have seen some people question the logic of the plot. For example, why would someone agree to go to such a clearly dangerous place to care for a troubled person? And yes, there are a few plot holes I will not spoil here. I agree that some of the character decisions are questionable, but at the end of the day, you are watching a horror film. We could all ask why people go into basements, answer strange phone calls, or run back into the house. People make bad choices. Just try to enjoy the story for what it is.

Even though the pacing is slow, I found the film unpredictable and engaging. It kept me watching, and that alone deserves some credit.

For me, the real star of the film is the setting. The isolated house, with its peeling wallpaper, strange layout, and that haunting chain coming from the cellar, creates a strong and uneasy atmosphere. It is beautifully designed and adds a lot of tension without relying on jump scares.

I am not usually a fan of slow-burn horror, which is why I was unsure about watching this at first. I am glad I did. I will not be rushing to watch it again, but it definitely stayed on my mind throughout the day, and I already have a few friends I will be recommending it to.

While it might feel a little too slow for some viewers, I think the atmosphere, visuals, and performances make it worthwhile. The director created something interesting and original, and that deserves recognition.

3 out of 5

Not perfect, but unsettling in all the right ways with a standout setting and lead performance.

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