Keeper (2025) Film Review: Osgood Perkins' latest venture into abstract horror is deeply chilling

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A couple travels to a remote, idyllic cabin in the woods for a romantic weekend away to celebrate their anniversary.

However, when strange things begin occurring and a dark, sinister presence appears to haunt the house, terrifying pasts and secrets are eventually revealed...

Modern horror pioneer Osgood Perkins, son of legendary Psycho (1960) star Anthony Perkins, returns with his latest genre film.

The director has previously brought us the psychological crime thriller Longlegs (2024) and the dark comedy/splatter horror The Monkey (2025) earlier this year.

Writer Nick Lepard, known for Dangerous Animals (2025), was brought on to craft the screenplay and Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland (son of Donald Sutherland) were cast in the leading roles, Liz and Malcolm, respectively.

The film stars Tatiana Maslany (left) and Rossif Sunderland (right) as a couple who embark on a romantic weekend getaway at a secluded cabin in the woods. However, all is not as perfectly idyllic as it seems...

Keeper (2025) is a highly surrealist, largely ambiguous film which will definitely not be every horror fan's cup of tea; however, for those who can click with Perkins' slow-burn mystery tale, they will be rewarded with one of the most deliciously twisted horror movies of the year.

From the moment the couple arrive at the secluded cabin belonging to Malcolm's family, the movie is thick in a heavy, foreboding atmosphere, which only becomes more ambivalent and sinister as the narrative gradually unravels.

There is a constant sense of unease and tension as Liz struggles to relax in the seemingly perfect, cosy environment, consistently being interrupted by strange noises in the attic and unwanted, random visits from Malcolm's cousin, Darren (Birkett Turton), who lives next door. Despite the picturesque location, there is clearly something off and dark surrounding the cabin and the woodland outside.

Perkins' direction is exceptional throughout, creating an almost hypnotic, mesmerising viewing experience (especially in the cinema!) with his particular focus on conveying an unsettling mood through evocative imagery and enchanting edits. Perkins emphasises nature and, particularly, the fresh running water found in the streams and waterfalls around the house, slowly morphing shots together to create a dreamlike state, evoking a compelling mystery.

Jeremy Cox's beautiful, stunning cinematography is complemented by an equally striking, eerie score by Edo Van Breemen, which effectively enhances the creep factor. The movie actively encourages multiple watches for viewers to spot any clues they may have missed the first time, which hint towards terrifying revelations to come in the final act.

One of the most instantly noticeable qualities of the film is its hypnotic, dreamlike quality, with overlapping visuals and an impactful original score

Its meandering pace is admittedly patience-testing; however, Perkins deliberately crafts his folk horror in this way to really get underneath your skin with its crazy, disturbing lore. The movie definitely deserves audiences going in blind with no preconceptions of spoilers, as this one is best experienced with fresh eyes and an open mind.

There is imagery in this film which is pure nightmare fuel and offers some of the most insane, memorable, visceral horror of modern cinema, with examples of fantastic make-up and practical effects.

As well as achieving a status as one of the most elusive horror films of the year, it also features one of the best performances of the genre this year. Tatiana Maslany is absolutely outstanding here as a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown, as her psyche begins to deteriorate when spooky supernatural forces reveal themselves to her.

Maslany manages to convey a deeply human performance, blessed with a very expressive face and relatable mannerisms, which largely endear you to her plight and root for her to escape this terrifying situation. Her natural ability to convey raw fear and distraught greatly elevates the film's already bonkers final act into a masterful presentation of pure cinematic horror.

Maslany delivers one of the best horror performances of the year, as terrifying revelations are made about the cabin's disturbing history, and she is forced to fight for her life

Co-star Rossif Sunderland certainly deserves praise for his chilling turn as the enigmatic Malcolm, who may or may not have some skeletons in his closet that he is keeping from Liz. There is a great balance between each actor, with Sunderland largely remaining calm, collected and confident throughout, contrasting with the more erratic, emotionally open persona of Maslany's character.

Overall, Osgood Perkins' latest deep dive into the horror genre has, so far, proven to be one of his more divisive works, which is completely understandable considering its slower pace and very often bizarre, ambitious storytelling devices. However, if you are willing to be open-minded and allow Perkins' unique vision to enthral you, this may become one of your favourite horror movies of the year.

Keeper is Perkins at his most experimental and abstract, but also, arguably, at his best. This is a fantastic horror film which excels at genuinely unsettling viewers with its creative direction, striking imagery and a phenomenal performance from Tatiana Maslany.

For a full sensory, immersive experience, definitely check this one out at the cinema if you can!

Check out the trailer for Keeper (2025) below, and please let me know your thoughts in the comments!