Film: The Caretaker
Director: Luke Tedder
Writer: Luke Tedder
Starring: Ben Probert, Mackenzie Larsen, Scott Hume, P G Pearson, Lauren Shotton
Synopsis – Eddie is mute, he takes a caretaker job at the coastal Lockbridge Academy to avoid homelessness. There, he forms a bond with cleaner Marie, while uncovering dark secrets that threaten the Aberdeen family’s control of the school.
The Caretaker will be playing at Dead and Sudburied on Sunday, 19th October at 4:15 pm.
Q. Your film The Caretaker has been selected for Dead and Sudburied, can you tell us a bit about what we can expect from the film?
A. The Caretaker is a slow-burn character driven, psychological horror/thriller with a strong emotional core. It’s unsettling, atmospheric, and leaves you with questions long after the credits roll. Expect dread, beauty, and a very human story at the centre of it all.
Q. You play Eddie Hartwood in the film. What first attracted you to the character when you read the script?
A. What drew me to Eddie was how real he felt. He wasn’t just a horror character; he was a man carrying deep pain and silence. Playing a mute character was especially interesting to me as an actor, everything had to come through stillness, expression and presence. The script made me feel responsible for him, like I had to do him justice.
Q. What sort of preparation did you do for the role?
A. I stripped things back completely. I journaled as Eddie, spent time in silence, and even tried communicating non-verbally for days. Physically, I switched to cardio and dropped weights to lose size, Eddie needed to look worn down, not built up. It was about disappearing into him, not standing out.
Q. Are there any elements of the character which you feel reflect some of your own personality?
A. Yes, definitely. Eddie’s isolation and quiet resilience resonated with me. I’ve never been the loudest person in the room, I’m more of a listener, someone who takes in their surroundings. So that side of him felt very natural to step into.
Q. Did you make any changes to the character form how it was written in the original script?
A. Not really no, Eddie was so well written. The main changes came through the physical side, like how he carried himself and the stillness I brought to him. It was less about altering the script and more about finding those quiet details that made him feel alive.
Q. What were some of your favourite memories of making the Film?
A. The location stands out, the old building and the coast gave everything a haunting atmosphere. I also really valued the connection with the cast and crew; despite the heavy story, we shared a lot of laughs off-camera. That balance made the experience very special.
Q. Did you experience any issues during filming?
A. Nothing major, mostly the usual indie challenges: tight schedule, small crew, long days. I did a lot of work behind the camera too, location management and set building, so it was full-on at times. The biggest test was balancing that with the emotional and physical demands of Eddie, but the team pulled together, and we got there in the end.
Q. What makes The Caretaker stand out as something different in the horror genre?
A. It’s not just about scares, it’s character-driven. Following a mute lead makes it unique, with so much told through silence, body language, and atmosphere rather than dialogue or jump scares. Some of the scariest elements come from abuse and trauma, which makes the horror feel grounded and real.
Q. What do you hope people take away after watching the film?
A. I hope people feel the weight of Eddie’s silence and see the humanity behind the horror. If it sparks empathy and lingers with them after the credits roll, then we’ve done our job.
Q. Do you have any other projects which you are currently working on?
A. Right now I’m focused on promoting The Caretaker, but we’ve also got a sci-fi feature in post-production. And if the right role comes along, I’m always ready to dive in.
Q. If someone was looking to get into filmmaking film what advice would you give them?
A. Start small and just make something. Don’t wait for the “perfect” conditions, they don’t exist. If you care about the story, that passion will carry you through the tough bits. Every story is worth telling. If you’ve got an idea, write it down, grab a camera, and start filming. Don’t wait, just create.
The Caretaker will be playing at Dead and Sudburied on Sunday, 19th October at 4:15 pm.
You can find out more about Producer / Actor Ben Probert on the Website
Find out more about the festival and purchase tickets for Masks here
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
