“Keeper” is a 2025 American folk horror film directed by Osgood Perkins and written by Nick Lepard. The film stars Tatiana Maslany, Rossif Sutherland, Birkett Turton, and Eden Weiss. It follows a couple spending their anniversary weekend at a secluded cabin in the woods, where strange occurrences unfold and the cabin’s dark secrets are revealed. Although I often find myself disagreeing with many critical reviews, I do agree in this case.
This film has received praise from several horror filmmakers and authors whom I admire. Curiously pondering the mixed reviews, I eagerly decided to watch it.
At times, the story is confusing, with a plot that feels lackluster and often unexplained. There are certainly moments of good editing and interesting elements, along with commendable acting. However, as is often the case, the film suffers from a lack of a compelling or thought-provoking plot, which ultimately left me disappointed and, frankly, bored with a horror movie.
There are discussions worth having here, particularly around the questionable decisions made within a marriage, which raise doubts about issues like infidelity.
I appreciated the theme of honesty in what should be the most trusted of relationships, specifically between a husband and wife. The film explores how, when problems arise, the worst aspects of relationships or their absence can surface.
I wish the plot had been tighter and that the story wasn’t so confusing. I can understand why the film is receiving mostly negative reviews from critics. While I don’t consider myself a critic, just a regular guy who enjoys good horror, “Keeper” fell significantly short of my expectations.
Due to its lack of an engaging story or entertaining plot, I would rate “Keeper” a disappointing 4 out of 10.
