
Themes



A Story of Reluctant Heroism and Cosmic Balance
At its core, The Caretaker is a haunting exploration of human failure, moral decay, and the forces of the universe that intervene when the scales tip too far in the fight of Good vs Evil. Floyd, the broken protagonist, embodies the raw truth that not all people rise from their failures. He is not a hero in the conventional sense—he doesn’t find redemption through inner strength, nor does he conquer his demons. Instead, he remains trapped in his rage, addiction, and isolation, a man crumbling under the weight of his past and his role in his wife’s death. Yet, it’s this raw humanity—his flawed and imperfect nature—that makes him the perfect vessel for a higher purpose.
Simon, the quiet force of good in the narrative, represents the spiritual and universal counterbalance to the cult’s unnatural pursuit of immortality. The cult’s defiance of natural laws, their manipulation of life itself, and their insidious corruption create an imbalance that threatens the very fabric of existence. Simon steps in as a divine or cosmic agent, channeling Floyd’s anger and despair into a weapon against the cult. Floyd is not redeemed, but he is used —a pawn in a larger struggle that he barely comprehends.
This interplay between Floyd’s broken humanity and Simon’s higher purpose emphasizes profound themes of inevitability and balance. It challenges traditional narratives of self-made redemption, presenting a harsher, but more honest truth: sometimes, we cannot save ourselves, but we can still play a part in something greater. Through Floyd’s destruction and Simon’s intervention, The Caretaker delivers a powerful message about the fragility of humanity, the dangers of hubris, and the cosmic order that demands balance in the face of chaos.
In the end, Floyd’s failure becomes the key to victory—not through his own strength, but through his willingness to be a tool of something greater, reminding us that even broken lives can serve a purpose in the grand design.
Animals.
The screenplay delves deeply into the concept of capitalism, portraying the corporate world of employees, executives, and the cult through the symbolism of four distinct animal archetypes. The narrative continually explores shifting power dynamics, as characters adapt, decline, or evolve into new roles, reflecting the fluid nature of authority and survival within the system.
Pigs
Power, Corruption, and Control
The immortal corporate elites and cult leaders like Florence. These individuals are at the top of the hierarchy, manipulating events to maintain their dominance. They are gluttonous for wealth and control, viewing people as expendable tools.
Dogs
Loyalty to Power, Enforcement, and Conflict
Enforcers of the system, some involved in the original immortality project, and others recruited as forces loyal to the cult. They operate as guardians of the pigs' control. They are obedient, and capable of aggression.
Sheep
Obedience, Ignorance, and Vulnerability
The sheep follow the societal system without questioning it, making them easy targets for exploitation.
Coyotes
Rebellion, Survival, and Chaos
Outsiders and rebels. Coyotes refuse to conform to the systems upheld by the pigs and dogs, choosing instead to operate in the shadows, challenging authority through cunning and resilience (Simon) or shear brute force (Floyd).

Sheep
Florence
The ultimate pig, Florence is the cult leader who believes in transcending humanity’s limitations, even at the cost of morality. Her manipulative and detached nature makes her a symbol of corruption. She has a gluttony for power, corruption, and the insatiable desire to reshape the world in her own image.
Tom Claude
Tom Claude’s loyalty is a shallow, transactional bond that ties him only to those in power. Like a dog trained to obey the strongest handler, Tom’s allegiance shifts as quickly as the balance of authority does.
Donna Buelleur
Floyd’s compassionate wife, Donna symbolizes purity and the everyday person’s struggle to navigate overwhelming forces. Her untimely death underscores the vulnerability of the sheep.
Mall Employees and Shoppers
Representing the general population, these individuals remain blissfully unaware of the cult’s presence, even as their livelihoods are affected by the mall’s decline.
Teenagers Exploring the dead Mall
(Devon, Zack, Jamie)
Their youthful ignorance align them with the sheep archetype, caught up in forces they don’t understand.
Floyd Buelleur
Initially a loyal enforcer of corporate authority under CEO Mr. Canary. Over time, as betrayal, loss, and disillusionment erode his faith in the system he once served, Floyd transforms into a coyote archetype—a cunning, scrappy survivor who rebels against the very forces he once upheld.
Henry Manning
The embodiment of corporate greed and incompetence, Henry uses his position to exert power, driven by jealousy and a need for dominance.
Wallace (at first):
His initial loyalty to Florence and the cult’s ideals positions him as a reluctant pig, although he redeems himself later in the narrative.
Dogs
Pigs
Coyotes
Simon Buelleur
Simon, the quiet coyote, embodies the trickster’s wisdom and resilience, navigating the chaos of a decaying world with subtle cunning. Simon moves through the chaos with cunning and calm, a guide in the shadows who sees what others cannot and outsmarts the powerful with wisdom instead of force






John P. Canary
Initially a pig, a corporate visionary who built the Dixie-Five Mall as a monument to ambition and control, John Canary’s power quickly waned when he fell ill. Reduced to a dog/sheep, he futilely competed to maintain relevance as his creation decayed under a shift in corporate control.
