FrightFest First Blood Strand has brought forward some serious talent so we're chatting to as many as we can starting with writer and director of The Caretaker, Luke Tedder.
NYX: Did you know from a young age that you wanted to work in the film industry?
LT: Yes. I had an interest in filmmaking from a young age, like many others I started with stop motion animations and progressed into making my own home-made live action films. I didn’t really consider it as a career option until I was 17 while applying for universities.
NYX: Are you a fan if horror movies?
LT: Absolutely, one of my favourite films of all time is the original Ridley Scott “Alien”, I have always gravitated towards the more character driven horrors as a pose to purely slasher films, I’m a huge fan of Mike Flanagan’s work, especially his TV shows such as Haunting on Hill House.
NYX: What inspired you to write The Caretaker?
LT: The idea of having a main character in a horror film who is mute was the starting point and the story evolved around that. Communication barriers and power dynamics were the themes I was keen to explore when writing the script.
NYX: There’s also a “class struggle” thread running through it, was that there from the start?
LT: Yes, feeding into the theme of power dynamics, both Eddie and Marie are not just lower class, they’re people who are stuck in situations for which they have little autonomy or ability to escape. Marie is economically trapped working at Lockbridge and Eddie is emotionally trapped in an unhealthy relationship looking after his ailing mother.
NYX: Did you write it with a cast in mind?
LT: Most were written with an actor I knew in mind. Ben Probert was always going to play Eddie, I needed someone who could pull off conveying complicated emotions with only body language and expressions that would be clear for the audience to understand, while at the same time not feeling like a caricature. The newcomer to our production was Mackenzie Larsen who plays Marie, from her first audition tape it was clear she was hugely talented, and she did an incredible job with the role really making it her own.
NYX: Did Ben Probert, who plays the much put upon Eddie have to research for his role?
LT: Ben did a lot of research into mutism and learned some sign language to ensure his portrayal of Eddie was as accurate as possible. He also had a lot of input in helping put together his costumes and figuring out the signature hairstyle, once we had this all figured out, Ben was able to get into character very easily.
NYX: Where did you find such an incredible location?
LT: Through friends we knew, thankfully we were able to find several locations that matched up and created the right atmosphere of grandiosity while also being foreboding and isolating.
NYX: The film has a strong sense of dread running through it, what was the atmosphere like on set?
LT: Fun for the most part! Despite it being quite a serious film, I try to keep things as light on set as much as possible. We did have some very difficult shoot days, most of which were because we had so much to fit into a tight schedule. Also, we’re a very small crew so some of the shoots were exhausting and logistically very challenging but overall it’s the smoothest production I’ve had so far.
NYX: You are part of the First Blood strand for FrightFest 2025, how does that feel?
LT: Honoured! FrightFest champions a hugely diverse range of horror films and we’re incredibly lucky to have been chosen to be included.
NYX: What advice would you give to someone wanting to make their own features?
LT: I’d advise not to take too much advice! I think if you’re able and your circumstances allow you to; make a story you truly care about telling, it’s like rocket fuel especially on the tough days.
NYX: How nervous will you be when the movie has its World Premiere at FrightFest 2025?
LT: No idea, I guess I’ll find out when I’m there!
NYX: Got to ask, who designed the sandwich at the beginning?
LT: Ben, he used to be a chef. He is a man of many talents.
NYX: So, what are you working on at the moment?
LT: A science fiction drama “A Universe Apart” which I’m currently doing post-production for, it’s VFX heavy so it’s been a long journey to finish, it will be hopefully releasing early 2026 if all goes to plan.
NYX: Luke Tedder, thank you very much.
