Rent Caveat (2020)

Little clarity amidst the gloom. - Caveat review by NP

Caveat starts off as a really good film, promising much horror weirdness. You can just about accept down-on-his-luck Isaac (Jonathan French) taking a job for about five days, in an isolated area, effectively babysitting his landlord’s disturbed niece Olga (Leila Sykes). You can entirely understand his anger when he finds out the location is actually an island – even that he has to wear a harness that prevents him from reaching other rooms, even if it leaves him at the mercy of the unstable girl – and as it turns out, her crossbow! You can allow yourself to just about believe in all this because, with that premise, the story looks to be beautifully directed and should be justifiably brilliant.

Sadly, after a strong start, while the atmosphere remains rich and beautifully muggy, and the acting convincing, the story becomes a repetitious mish-mash of scenes that make less and less sense. Also, Sykes is undoubtedly a good actor, but lacks any kind of sense of threat, even when she is armed.

I enjoyed Caveat, but only up to a point. When it ends on a typically odd note, I found myself in need of a certain amount of clarity to appreciate what I’d just watched. My score is 5 out of 10.