Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Caveat’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Caveat’.
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It is definitely safe to say that the horror genre is perhaps one of the most intelligent genres out there in storytelling. Since it is one of the few that bothers to put a magnifying glass up to the human condition and/or modern society and explore its struggles and ills in great detail… all while providing the audience with a horrifying and gory story that uses fear to hammer home its point. But while that is a storytelling device and angles that we celebrate in regard to this genre on a consistent basis, focusing upon those elements unfortunately allows for us to sometimes forget that the intelligence of horror extends far beyond quality commentary and examinations of the human condition.

Because this is a genre that can in fact, be quite philosophical in nature. To the point where it has also held that same magnifying glass up to religion and its pros and cons and it has even pondered upon the nature of death and the meaning of life, and as the genre continues to grow in popularity… it is starting to expand to all kinds of other unique examinations revolving around concepts that we take for granted and it is even diving into more positive aspects of the human condition. The kind that we don’t talk about enough in our everyday world since it is easier to discuss and reflect upon the darker stuff we see on the street and hear about on the news and social media. And it just so happens that Shudder recently released a film that meets that uniquely elevated philosophical standard, since Caveat explores two notions that rarely receive any attention in the genre.

A feat that this film accomplishes, by providing us with one supremely unique and original story that allows for those explorations to take place. One that involves perhaps the strangest job offer in the history of job offers. For a man named Barret is fully prepared to provide a drifter named Issac… with $1000 for simply swinging by his family’s isolated property to keep an eye upon his niece, Olga, for a week. Which is a solid deal for a quick babysitting job. But once the duo arrives at their destination, Issac has second thoughts about the gig and with good reason. For Barret forgot to tell him that the property sits on a lonely island and that his niece has some severe mental health issues and oh; that Issac also has to wear a special locked harness to keep Olga in a safe mental space. And while those are some odd surprises, Issac needs the money and agrees to the terms and that is when the real trouble begins. For it doesn’t take long for him to understand that this strange house is also full of disturbing secrets and memories that are about to change his life, forever.

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Which is ironically, a plot that at first glance, appears to be nothing special. Because stories that feature isolation and spooky moments and eerie spirts are indeed nothing new. Nor are stories where the protagonist is surrounded by unhealthy people or held captive by them in some form or fashion. But once Issac begins to peel back the rotten layers surrounding this twisted home, the unique concept explorations get underway. One of which involves the nature of karma. For it quickly becomes apparent that the strange happenings in this house are manifesting themselves because of the horrible acts that have taken place under this moldy and disheveled roof and once that comes to light, it is equally as clear that the evil that lurks here… wants to make bad people pay and pay dearly. Which in turn allows for a satisfying finale, where karma does indeed deliver as advertised, to take place, and while that makes for a fine reminder that what we put into this world comes back to us tenfold and could potentially... manifest into something awful if enough bad karma is concentrated in one place... what’s truly amazing about this particularly straightforward examination, is that it sets the stage for the second one.
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Because this motion picture, also ponders upon notions that we have yet to really answer in regard to modern man. In that, are we actually products of our environment and fallible and savage because of that? Or can we actually rise above our surroundings and accomplish positive wonders and that is handled by way of Issac’s journey in this tale. For we come to learn that time and time again, this poor man has had the opportunity to truly give into the darkness surrounding him, yet he outright struggles to do so. Which has allowed for him to consistently find his way out of bad situations and stay true to himself and according to this film, that means we are in fact… capable of being more and of being better and staying true to the good that is embedded within our souls when presented with corruptible situations, and that allows for this story to offer a little brightness to the audience.

​Something that is a necessity. Because despite the fascinating explorations present in this tale, this is at its core, a horror film and the scares and unsettling visuals present in this film, definitely take it into a supremely dark and disturbing place. In fact, there are several sequences that took this reviewer completely and utterly off guard with their raw and unexpected nature, making this scary story as solid as they come and a wonderful watch for certain. Because you really cannot go wrong with a horror film that works to break new ground exploration wise, whilst satisfying the viewer with solid scares and terrifying visuals and well, if you’re looking for a solid and unique horror film that is filled to the brim with depth, then do carve out a little time to give Caveat, a look.

‘Caveat’ is available to stream right now, exclusively on Shudder.

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