Veteran actress Iza Calzado takes on a compelling role in the upcoming horror-drama film ‘The Caretakers’, where she portrays Audrey, a determined mother fighting for her family’s future.
Co-produced by Regal Entertainment and Rein Entertainment, the film explores land ownership, legacy, and supernatural forces.
In a recent interview, Iza shared how her real-life experience as a first-time mother to baby Deia Amihan has given her a deeper understanding of her character’s struggles.
“I play a mother trying to secure her children’s future. She has a rebellious teen and a sickly child, so she constantly adjusts and cares for them. At the same time, she’s facing her own struggles, which she tries to hide from her kids. This makes her appear on edge, but her true intentions remain unclear.”
As a new mother, Iza admitted that she is still discovering the depths of maternal love, something she believes will continue to evolve over time.
“I’ve never felt anything like this before. I don’t even know how it will grow as the years go by. It’s something I can’t even grasp yet.”
Beyond biological ties, she also emphasized that motherhood extends beyond having children of one’s own.
“Motherhood is beyond just having a child. I have a younger brother whom I love like my own. If he needed me, I would do anything for him. Family is family.”
In ‘The Caretakers’, Iza shares the screen with another seasoned actress, Dimples Romana, who plays the caretaker of the property Audrey is claiming. While the two have crossed paths many times in the industry, this marks their first-ever film together.
During their story conference, Iza realized how much they had in common.
“There are a lot of parallelisms between us, and there are also many differences. It’s so funny. When we had the story conference, I said, ‘She’s also talkative (like me).’ But I already knew that because we’ve seen each other several times on special occasions and work—but not while shooting—and we always chatted.”
One amusing moment that stood out to Iza was Dimples’ preparedness on set.
“She brought out three tumblers. I kept laughing and said, ‘Oh my gosh, obviously, we’re the same age.’ Like, there are certain rituals where you need one tumbler for tea, one for water, etc. I just found it so mirroring.”
Despite their different career and life paths, Iza admired Dimples’ dedication to both family and work.
“She has three kids, while I’m just starting. She became a mother earlier, while I started quite late. But we’ve both been here for a long time. She’s a very business-minded woman, while I’m more advocacy-driven. There’s so much to learn from each other.”
Iza, who has done horror films before, described ‘The Caretakers’ as a cinematic experience that stands out from the usual jump-scare horror flicks.
“It’s really important to follow the story when you watch this film. It’s a cinema experience because the scoring is phenomenal. You really have to watch it on the big screen.”
Beyond the supernatural element, the film delves into the harsh realities of power, ownership, and generational conflict.
“The film shows how far people will go when their rights are threatened. But in reality, I hope we can resolve things in ways that don’t push us to extremes.”
Audiences can catch Iza Calzado’s gripping performance in ‘The Caretakers’, which premieres in cinemas nationwide on February 26.
