The Caretaker (2016)

After a long line of fired caretakers, Mallorie (Meegan Warner) ends up caring for her medicated slightly crazy Grandmother Birdie (Sondra Blake). Mallorie was raised by her grandmother, a carnival witch, and has her own issues. Mal sleeps walks in a trance-like state and calls out the name of her boyfriend August (Sean Martini). Birdie doesn't want August in the house. He violates rules. Eventually she tolerates him. Both women behave creepily. Birdie says to Mal when they first meet, "I'm going to have a guest. One of the dead kind. I am so glad you are here." The film has a fair creep factor which is end loaded.The drama builds slow establishing two complex characters. And when all else fails, add a clown. Really they did.Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity. Couple start to get it on but is interrupted. Chanel Celaya is gosh awfully purdy.

The Caretaker is an exciting new horror thriller that all horror film fans will enjoy. From first-time feature film director Jeff Prugh comes a well- crafted independent film that gives the feel of a Hollywood box-office hit. The Caretaker follows a young woman named Mallorie (Meegan Warner) and her boyfriend August (Sean Martini) as they temporarily move into Mallorie's sickly grandmother's home to care for her. What was intended to be a nice gesture from this young couple soon turns into a bad decision as they learn the truth about Mallorie's grandmother Birdie (Sondra Blake) and her shady intentions. Although the whole cast was superb, Sondra Blake steals the show as she gives a spooky and captivating performance that takes the scary plot to the next level and keeps audiences wanting more. Unlike most films in its genre, The Caretaker does a great job of developing each major character which allows the audience to gain more from the film than just a good scare. If you enjoy films of this genre, I definitely recommend giving this movie a watch.

I was so impressed with the character and setting driven storyline. Nowadays, there are few movies that manage to scare audiences without special effects, blood and gore; however, this film successfully kept me on the edge of my seat with incredible performances from the actors and a gripping original plot inspired by the old mansion they reside in and a family history of psychosis. Mallorie is a young woman who steps up to take care of her grandmother Birdie when all of her previous caretakers are driven away by the horrors of the old house that she lives in. Mallorie's boyfriend, August comes with her as emotional support, but also to keep an eye on her sleepwalking problem and her own fears of becoming like her grandmother. Sondra Blake does a wonderful job in playing the crazy grandmother, who carries the story forward as her psychosis becomes worse and her previous Wiccan practices are revealed as she summons the dead back to the house. Witches. Haunted houses. And a scary clown. This movie is perfect to get you in the mood for Halloween.

If you like smart, original horror/thriller films, check this one out. It has a creepy, claustrophobic feeling and a good set of performances from the mostly young cast. There isn't a lot of gore, blood and guts and slasher-film type stuff here. It starts off slow, with some almost comedic elements that make you wonder where the film is headed, and the horror aspect really kicks in about half-way through. The filmmakers build suspense via the history of the house, the old woman Birdie and the mystery of who she is and why they have to take care of her, and traditional psychological thriller techniques with the clown Rawdily. The film almost has a vintage, classic 50's horror feel to it. An approach that really sets it apart from all the found-footage horror that everyone is doing these days. Megan Warner is great as Mallorie.