A haunting, ill-defined horror experiment from Osgood Perkins that falters despite strong visuals
The horror genre has become so popular in the world of movies that it seems there is at least one new horror movie per week. Some are one-offs, some are part of a franchise, think Halloween, Friday the 13th, etc., and some are based on novels. Of course, every once in a while, a horror movie comes along that doesn't really fit the mold. It isn't all about jump scares, or gore, or psychologically getting in the audiences' heads. It is merely a story that lends itself to the horror genre overall. The Osgood Perkins (Longlegs) 2025 film, Keeper, is one of those movies that isn't easy to define.
Liz (Tatiana Maslany; Orphan Black) and Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland; Murder in a Small Town) have been dating for a year, and as a special celebration, Malcolm decides to take Liz to his house in the country. Secluded (Except for Malcolm's cousin's house nearby) and serene, it seems like the perfect, romantic getaway. However, when Malcolm insists that Liz try the housekeeper's delicious chocolate cake, despite Liz telling Malcolm that she doesn't like chocolate, it only takes one bite before things start getting weird. Suddenly, Liz is having vivid nightmares and hallucinations and becomes paranoid. Is it all in her head, or is there something sinister at work?
As I watched the 4K, I felt there were a few good things about the movie that I could express. First is Maslany's performance. She shifts from mild trepidation to annoyance to confusion to full-on paranoia and is finally terrified beautifully. The shifts are subtle enough that you fully believe her and become immersed in the world she is experiencing. Second is the setting. Shot in Vancouver, the exterior scenes are magnificent, almost to the point that if you were to take a deep breathe you would almost smell the woodsy perfume and the crispness of the cold air.
Unfortunately, there seemed to be more bad than good in this case. First is Sutherland's wooden and stilted performance that seemed void of almost all emotion. Maybe the idea stemmed from what he anticipates happening in the final act, but it just comes across as bad acting. Second is the plot itself. Nothing is really ever completely explained, and none of the characters or plot points are fleshed out to any degree, which left me with more questions than answers, but honestly, none that I really cared enough to actually have answered. It seemed as if the story was slapped together at a moment's notice ( which it pretty much was), and the movie is a good lesson to screenwriters that time and effort ultimately make for a much better movie.
The technical aspects of this 4K combo pack are excellent, luckily. As I mentioned before, the visuals are stunning, and the 2160p resolution makes every scene a winner. The outside scenes were incredible with the lush greens and the clean air. The clear water of the stream rushing by seems exhilarating, almost as if you could reach out and experience the coldness for yourself.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 matches the visual presentation in every way. The ambient noises are crisp and sharp, and even the whispers in the background are noticeable, setting off what Liz thinks is her paranoia. Even the single song that is repeated multiple times in the film sounds layered, rich, and full of instruments.
Sadly, there are only three extras in the combo pack. They are the Audio Commentary with Perkins, the teaser trailer, and the theatrical trailer, and let's face it, nobody cares all that much for the trailers.
Keeper could have been a very good film if the plot had been fleshed out more, including the relationships between characters, and additional explanation of the creatures - why they do what they do, what the feeding and rituals are all about, and how they interact with Liz.
Keeper, for me at least, isn't.
Grade: D+
