Osgood Perkins' Keeper doesn't quite live up to some of his previous films, but does offer some dark and genuinely terrifying imagery that will linger after the credits roll. If you're a fan of the director, or folk-horror type stories, this one is worth watching for those reasons alone. With tempered expectations, this one can be quite unsettling.
“While on a weekend getaway at a remote cabin, Liz (Tatiana Maslany) and Malcom’s (Rossif Sutherland) romantic retreat takes a dark turn when a sinister presence unveils the cabin’s chilling past.”
Osgood Perkins has built a reputation for masterful atmosphere in films like Longlegs, and Keeper continues that tradition with a slow-burning folk horror tale that excels at creating an oppressive, creeping dread. The source material draws from classic cabin-in-the-woods tropes and German fairy tales, but infuses them with surreal, impressionistic touches, isolated locations, unsettling visions, and a pervasive sense of dread that Perkins is known for. The film’s strength lies in its ability to make silence and stillness terrifying, with shadowy forests, creaking cabins, and ambiguous glimpses of something unnatural building a genuinely creepy atmosphere that lingers with you as you continue the journey with this character.
Unfortunately, the movie struggles to maintain momentum through its first two thirds. The pacing is deliberately slow, focusing on subtle tension and character unease, but it often feels like not enough is happening to justify the drawn-out buildup. Perkins tries to maintain that sense of dread by showing bits and pieces, but the lack of substance and any type of B-story hinders the experience. By the time the story finally accelerates and delivers its unique, genuinely terrifying finale, with some of the most disturbing and surreal imagery Perkins has put on screen, the slow crawl left me disinterested in the fate of these characters. Although the ending is bold and memorable, getting there requires patience that the film doesn’t always earn.
Tatiana Maslany is at the center of the story with a committed, vulnerable performance as Liz, capturing paranoia and dissociation with raw intensity. Rossif Sutherland is decent as Malcolm, but his performance and actions were often distracting, another reason I lost interest in the characters.
Video
Decal/Neon’s 4K UHD combo pack features a 2160p HEVC encode in 1.85:1 with HDR10. The presentation captures the film’s moody, desaturated palette beautifully, deep blacks in the shadowy cabin interiors, and sharp details in textures like wood grain, foliage, and facial close-ups. Contrast excels in both the bright outdoor daylight and oppressive low-light scenes, making the eerie atmosphere pop without artifacts or softness. It’s a strong transfer that enhances Perkins’ visual style, and for a smaller label like Neon, it’s nice to see this get a 4k release.
Audio
Audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 delivering immersive surrounds for creaking wood, wind through trees, and the type of creepy atmospheric effects you’d expect that heighten the tension. Dialogue remains clear and centered, with an ambient dread building effectively across channels. Bass adds subtle weight to key moments without overpowering the intimacy.
Special Features
This combo pack includes:
- Audio Commentary with Director Osgood Perkins
- Teaser
- Trailers
Keeper on 4K is a visually striking and atmospherically strong horror effort from Perkins that showcases his talent for dread, even if the slow pace and lack of substance in the early going hold it back from greatness. The unique, terrifying ending makes it worth sticking with for patient viewers. This one’s out now on Blu-ray and 4k, worth checking out if you like the folk-type horror or just want to see the evolution of Osgood Perkins’ craft, who is quickly becoming a name synonymous with the genre.