Carl Roberts 
“Keeper is an enjoyable, if slow-moving, folk horror tale that gives us a chill without really breaking new ground.”
After the success of The Monkey earlier this year, director Osgood Perkins is back to scare us again with his latest movie, Keeper. The film is a surrealist horror movie written by Nick Lepard. Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland lead the cast in yet another scary movie from Perkins, which contains some frightening imagery, as you would expect. However, can the film match up to Perkins’ other contemporary horror hits? Or should the film have been discarded long before the end credits roll?
PREMISE
Liz and Malcolm head to a secluded cabin for their anniversary weekend. Liz, alone after Malcolm suddenly returns to the city, is approached by an evil entity that unveils the cabin’s secrets.
THOUGHTS
After the laughs and chills in The Monkey, Perkins has slowed down with what he offers here. Don’t get me wrong, the film is still a worthy and rewarding watch. But here, instead of throwing the audience straight into the story, the film takes its time. It is a slow burn, offering some jump scares as it heads towards its sadly predictable climax. There is some disturbing imagery along the way, and some scenes that have us questioning what we see and hear. When all is said and done, Keeper is a modern folk horror tale.
TATIANA MASLANY
Tatiana Maslany as Liz continues her association with Osgood Perkins after The Monkey and the upcoming The Young People. Here, she is the story’s primary focus, the crutch on which the film hinges. From not being sure of staying at Malcolm’s secluded family home, her wariness of his brother and his younger girlfriend, hearing weird noises inside the house, and experiencing some frightening images and events. Liz goes through it all. Tatiana Maslany is brilliant in her role, bringing a sense of humanity and timidness to her character. By the time the climax comes, we hope Liz can walk away from this horrifying experience safe and sound. Whether she does or not, you’ll have to discover.
ROSSIF SUTHERLAND
Rossif Sutherland as Malcolm is an enigma from the very second we meet him. We can never get a handle on him. Is he the boyfriend and lover that Liz thinks he is? Or is he something else entirely? Is he being truthful, or is he hiding a secret family, or even darker secrets of his own? As the plot unfolds, we begin to discover things about him that leave us on edge. Sutherland gives a quiet and understated performance here, one that anchors the film somewhat. When the truth is finally revealed, we suddenly see him in a new light. Is it a good light, or is it somewhat darker?
WRITING AND DIRECTION
The screenplay by Nick Lepard is deliberately slow-moving, building up the anticipation, allowing the audience to feel the fear. Like a classic horror movie, it is what we think we are going to see, what we think is coming, that ultimately scares us. Lepard has written something that, while not wholly original, is a worthy story that builds to a slightly underwhelming crescendo.
Osgood Perkins’ direction is as masterful as always. The director allows his location to breathe, becoming something that, while beautiful to look at, also scares us. It is unnerving at times, again, with us thinking what’s going to happen instead of showing us, lulling us into a false sense of security. Of course, when the expected does happen, it comes at a time when we are not expecting it. Perkins directs proceedings and his cast expertly, allowing them to give life to their characters.
VERDICT
Keeper is an enjoyable, if slow-moving, folk horror tale that gives us a chill without really breaking new ground. It does enough to sustain our interest, giving us a sense of unease before unleashing some scares that have us jumping in our seats. The build-up and anticipation are worth the time invested in the film. It is also always nice to see something unexpected —a folk horror tale we can remember reading back in our youth. Of course, this isn’t true; we only think we have read something like it. By the time the film ends, we have witnessed a neat little tale that stays with us.
At the end of the day, the film doesn’t wear out its welcome. At 99 minutes, the film does what it needs to before reaching its climax. It leaves us with the feeling of: did I enjoy the film, or simply just sit there and allow it to play out? That is up to the viewer to decide. I enjoyed the film, despite its flaws. It is a decent little tale that we will find rewatchable, especially late at night over the weekend when it arrives on home entertainment or TV. It is worth buying a ticket to Keeper, just don’t expect a blockbuster horror film that will redefine the genre. This isn’t that kind of film. However, the film is a Keeper, and not one to discard easily.
Keeper is in cinemas from Friday, courtesy of Black Bear and Neon.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
