MORE than just givers of life, mothers are also brave defenders, warriors, and, if need be, destroyers who will trample anyone for the sake of their young. Such are the characters of Iza Calzado and Dimples Romana in Regal Entertainment and Rein Entertainment’s eco-horror film “The Caregivers,” directed by Shugo Praico, who co-wrote the film with John Carlo Pacala.
It is the first time Iza and Dimples share the screen, and while their characters might come from opposite ends of the spectrum — one modern, the other traditional; one from the city, the other from a bucolic town — their acting is a perfect match in intensity. They are single mothers — Audrey, a widow, and Lydia, separated — and both are fierce protectors of their children, played by Marco Masa, Althea Ruedas, Erika Clemente, Ashley Sarmiento and Erin Rose Espiritu. However, when it comes to the disputed land, they see it from different perspectives. Lydia, the caretaker, wants nothing more than the preservation of their quiet life, away from the encroachment of her landlord’s family. Audrey, on the other hand, sees the land as her ticket to freedom. Getting rid of it would allow her to escape her unfaithful husband and life as an oppressed wife.
“The Caregivers” also offers a fresh perspective on Mother Nature — not always serene, but sometimes sinister. Mother Nature plays a key role in the film, driving the story forward and resolving its central conflict.
With “The Caregivers,” Rein and Regal introduce viewers to a different kind of horror—subdued yet scary, leaving audiences to pause and reflect.
“The Caretakers” is rated R-13 by MTRCB and will unreel in cinemas nationwide starting today, February 26. (GFCT)
