In ‘Keeper,’ a romantic getaway becomes as nightmarish as you’d expect

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A cabin in the woods. A handsome boyfriend who seems a little too perfect. A stranger at the door.

Osgood Perkins’ new horror film doesn’t shy away from familiar horror tropes—it embraces them. While we’ve seen these elements many times before, Perkins handles them with such energy and talent in “Keeper” that they initially feel new and engaging. However, this feeling doesn’t last for long.

Perkins’ latest film, released just over a year after his previous work, draws comparisons to both his acclaimed “Longlegs” and his less successful adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Monkey.” Like “Longlegs,” “Keeper” is cleverly made and relies on classic horror elements, but it also includes the playful, sometimes distracting, humor seen in “The Monkey.” Despite these influences, “Keeper” stands on its own as a well-crafted, unsettling film, proving Perkins is skilled at creating traditional horror—though it may not leave a lasting impression.

Tatiana Maslany stars as Liz, an artist who avoids serious relationships. She’s celebrating a year with Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland), a doctor who’s older than her. He takes her to his beautiful, secluded country house for a romantic getaway. Liz is uncomfortable being in nature and isn’t used to long-term commitments, but she feels secure with Malcolm, even though she suspects he might already be married.

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Though his father was the well-known actor Anthony Perkins, famous for his role in “Psycho,” the director of the new thriller “Longlegs” brings a unique and distinct creative vision to his work.

I was really struck by how much the movie “Keeper” focuses on the inside of Malcolm’s incredible cabin – it’s seriously beautiful, but the director often filmed Tatiana Maslany from far away, making the house feel almost like a trap around her. Liz and Malcolm have this interesting relationship, they clearly care for each other but Liz seems hesitant to fully let go and accept his feelings. Everything changes though when a new neighbor shows up, and their dynamic gets really complicated.

Darren (Birkett Turton), Malcolm’s showy and self-centered cousin, shows off his new girlfriend, the tall and striking Minka (Eden Weiss), as if she’s a prize possession. He boasts that she doesn’t speak much English. However, Minka quietly tells Liz that the housekeeper’s chocolate cake tastes awful, and it feels less like a comment about the food and more like a veiled threat. Later, when Liz and Malcolm are alone, he urges her to try a piece of the cake.

Directed by Nick Lepard, the film skillfully builds suspense by hinting at the coming horror that will befall Liz. The unsettling music by Edo Van Breemen and the cold, stark visuals created by Jeremy Cox even make ordinary scenes, like Malcolm offering Liz cake, feel ominous. For most of the movie, “Keeper” expertly creates a sense of dread, presenting classic horror setups and leaving the audience to anxiously wonder what will happen next. When Malcolm unexpectedly leaves to attend to a sick patient, Liz is left alone in the large, empty house, bothered by the irritating Darren and haunted by disturbing visions that could just be her imagination. Or perhaps it was something in the cake… or maybe the house is genuinely haunted. The director understands these tropes well, practically challenging the audience to predict how the story will unfold.

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Following his roles in ‘The White Lotus’ and ‘The Gentlemen,’ the British actor is now taking on his most challenging part yet, playing two characters in a project that blends both horror and humor.

Tatiana Maslany, known for her role in “The Monkey,” immediately brings a compelling intensity to the character of Liz. What begins as romantic worries quickly shifts into a growing fear that something dangerous is lurking in her house. Maslany’s performance feels realistic and never diminishes Liz’s intelligence or her increasing frustration – she’s not just scared, she’s angry that Malcolm has left her to deal with this alone. While the character of Liz isn’t deeply developed, Maslany’s subtle and controlled acting transforms her into a relatable representation of any woman who has been manipulated and told everything is okay when it clearly isn’t.

While a creepy atmosphere can only carry a horror movie so far, “Keeper” ultimately falters when it tries to explain its mysteries. The film’s beautiful visuals and unsettling pace give way to forced and unconvincing explanations. Despite building a strong sense of dread, “Keeper” doesn’t offer much substance, failing to explore its themes of relationships or abusive behavior in a meaningful way. The director also relies too heavily on predictable tricks, like pairing upbeat pop music with disturbing imagery for an easy, superficial shock.

While the previous film relied on a mean-spirited humor when depicting its violence, this new one strikes a better balance thanks to Perkins’ delicate approach, even in the scariest scenes. It seems Perkins sees Liz’s predicament as a chance to create a skillfully crafted, unsettling experience, much like the care Malcolm took in building his impressive cabin. Both the cabin and the situation are visually striking, but neither are places you’d want to linger for long.

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2025-11-14 21:02