A star rating of 3 out of 5.
Keeper, the latest film from director Osgood Perkins (son of Anthony Perkins, who starred in Psycho), blends a contemporary love story with classic folk horror. Following his well-received adaptation of a Stephen King story earlier this year, Perkins aims higher with this film, though it’s not always entirely successful despite its stylish presentation.
Tatiana Maslany, known for her role in Orphan Black, plays Liz, a mysterious artist from the city. She’s taking a vacation with her boyfriend, Malcolm (played by Rossif Sutherland, Donald Sutherland’s son and Kiefer Sutherland’s half-brother), at his luxurious cabin in the woods.
She’s been with her partner for a year and seems happy, but there’s a lot of mistrust between them. Being isolated in a remote lodge – one with huge windows, unlocked doors, and absolutely no privacy – is only making things worse.
The arrival of Liz’s eccentric cousin Darren, along with his girlfriend Minka (who’s from a Baltic country), adds to the existing stress in her life. The film uses imagery like rushing water and distressed women, hinting at a deeper problem than just relationship difficulties. However, the true nature of this issue isn’t fully explained until the third act, and even then, the explanation feels somewhat unsatisfying.
Tatiana Maslany, the lead in She-Hulk, handles a challenging role well, adding welcome humor – she seems aware of the film’s darker elements. However, her co-star, Sutherland, struggles with awkward dialogue and strange character choices in the somewhat inconsistent script, making it hard to believe his character’s complicated role as both a lover, doctor, and mysterious figure. They simply don’t have much chemistry together as a couple.
For a significant portion of the movie, Malcolm is absent, and this actually seems to heighten the tension. While he’s gone, Liz is left to deal with her growing fear, Darren’s unwelcome advances, and increasingly bizarre visions, making it the most disturbing part of the story.
Perkins expertly plays with your perception of time, making days or years feel like just a few hours. The way light and shadow are used in the impressive, yet unsettling, house is reminiscent of the scariest parts of the movie Hereditary. Pay close attention to the edges of the screen – that’s where you’ll find the most frightening moments.
The film starts strong with a fantastic opening sequence set to Mickey & Sylvia’s “Love Is Strange.” While the movie doesn’t keep up that initial energy, the sound design is consistently notable. It uses silence effectively, features well-chosen music, and creates a constant, unsettling atmosphere with sounds from the surrounding woods.
Similar to the 2024 film Longlegs, Keeper unfolds slowly, keeping the audience guessing until the very end. However, when the secrets of the secluded woodland setting are finally revealed, they don’t quite make sense when examined closely. In fact, Keeper appears less interested in consistent storytelling or developing a believable world and more focused on creating an atmosphere of mystery.
The strongest parts of the story are truly scary, stick with you, and stand out. While it’s not perfect, ‘Keeper’ definitely establishes Perkins as a daring and original voice in the horror genre.
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2025-11-14 19:06