Damian McCarthy, the Irish writer-director behind the recent horror hit Hokum, looks back at his first feature film, Caveat, with a mix of pride and regret. Released in 2020 at the IndieCork Film Festival, Caveat was made on a tight budget of $250,000 and has since garnered a dedicated fan base for its unique blend of psychological horror and supernatural elements.
"I was worried we were going to lose the small amount of money that appeared, so I just wrote so fast,"
Damian McCarthy
McCarthy's dissatisfaction stems not from the film's reception but from the creative compromises made under time and financial pressure. This sentiment is echoed in his desire for a redo, a feeling exacerbated by the positive reception of Caveat among horror fans who have discovered it after watching his more recent work.
About Caveat and Its Directorial Evolution
Caveat tells the story of Isaac, an amnesiac drifter who takes care of Olga, a mentally unwell woman living on a small island, under the condition that he wears a restrictive harness. The film unfolds with McCarthy's signature non-linear narrative, terrifying jump scares, and innovative use of physical space—techniques that would be refined in Oddity (2024) and Hokum. Despite these elements, McCarthy identifies the script as the area where he would make significant changes if given the opportunity, citing the lack of time to explore ideas more deeply during the writing process.
McCarthy's reflections on Caveat are also contextualized by his growth as a director. He notes that his primary concern at the time was ensuring Caveat was good enough to secure a second project, a goal that was achieved. However, the desire to perfect his initial work remains, a sentiment he relates to a quote from David Fincher, who shared a similar post-premiere reflection on knowing how to truly make the movie after its completion.
The Desire for a Second Chance
"I found all this in the editing... I cut the film myself over the course of a year or so, and I realized all the potential it had, if I only could have explored those ideas a little bit more."
Damian McCarthy
This realization, coupled with fan feedback that sometimes ranks Caveat as his scariest film, underscores the bittersweet nature of his success.
The interview with McCarthy offers a unique glimpse into the mind of a director who, despite achieving horror genre acclaim with Hokum, remains introspective about his beginnings. His story serves as a testament to the evolutionary nature of artistic vision and the enduring impact of first projects on subsequent works.
What This Means for Horror Fans and McCarthy's Future
For fans of Damian McCarthy and horror enthusiasts in general, the reflections on Caveat provide insight into the meticulous craftsmanship behind McCarthy's films. While Caveat may not have been perfected in McCarthy's eyes, its influence on his subsequent projects is undeniable. As McCarthy continues to make waves in the horror genre with films like Hokum, the desire to revisit and refine Caveat stands as a reminder of the pursuit of perfection that drives creative talent.
Looking forward, the question of whether McCarthy will ever get his "another crack" at Caveat remains open. For now, fans can continue to appreciate the film for its raw, terrifying genius, while anticipating what future projects from this reflective and continually evolving director might hold.
