KEEPER Is Osgood Perkins’ Scariest Movie Yet (Review)

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Osgood Perkins has quickly established himself as a versatile horror director, releasing three strikingly different films in just over a year. Last summer’s Longlegs offered a fresh take on the serial killer genre, blending it with supernatural elements and featuring a memorably quirky performance by Nicolas Cage. Earlier this year, The Monkey was a darkly comedic and gruesome adaptation of a Stephen King story. I’ve enjoyed all of Perkins’ films so far, and his latest, Keeper, feels like a departure from everything he’s done before – and it might be his most frightening yet.

Similar to their work on Longlegs, Neon has skillfully avoided revealing much about the plot in the trailers and teasers for Keeper. As a result, I went into the film with no clear idea of what to expect. The story gradually and dreamily unfolds, eventually turning into a full-blown nightmare. Keeper maintains a consistently tense and unsettling atmosphere, even when it includes humorous scenes. The movie does eventually explain itself, but it does so at just the right pace, mirroring the main character’s confusion and keeping the audience guessing.

I don’t want to give away any key plot points from Keeper, but I think it’s helpful to share the basic setup. The story centers around Liz (Tatiana Maslany), who joins her boyfriend Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland) for a weekend getaway at his family’s remote cabin in the woods. The cabin is full of windows but lacks curtains, and it soon becomes clear—to both Liz and the audience—that they’re being watched, but it’s unclear by whom.

In Keeper, directors Perkins and cinematographer Jeremy Cox (who also worked on Longlegs and The Monkey) create a deliberately unsettling feel by filming in a way that feels like spying. This makes viewers question whether they’re seeing an all-knowing perspective or the viewpoint of a hidden observer—and the film cleverly suggests it could be both.

The trailers for Keeper show unsettling creatures lurking in the forest – some of the most disturbing and bizarre beings ever filmed. The movie doesn’t immediately reveal what these creatures are or their motivations, adding to the overall sense of dread. I was genuinely startled by a few moments, particularly how a figure moved unexpectedly in the background. The visuals reminded me of the truly unsettling imagery found in the work of Junji Ito.

“Keeper” is a story that mainly focuses on relationships, specifically Liz’s struggle with opening up to Malcolm. She’s hesitant to fully commit, wondering if there’s a hidden reason for her doubts. Malcolm’s rough-around-the-edges cousin, Darren, offers a contrast to Malcolm’s more gentle nature. The show explores the idea that you can never truly know someone, especially when dating later in life – everyone carries past experiences and secrets.

As a huge movie fan, I can tell you Keeper is a really unsettling, slow-burn film that just gets under your skin. It definitely has hints of folk horror and feels like a dark fairy tale, but it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. Honestly, it’s some of the most genuinely scary filmmaking I’ve encountered in ages. It doesn’t rely on gore or jump scares; instead, it uses the landscape itself to create a truly creepy and ominous atmosphere. It left me feeling deeply disturbed, but in a strangely satisfying way – it genuinely made my skin crawl!

Tatiana Maslany delivers a truly stunning performance, dominating nearly every scene. She completely embodies her character, making both the character’s experiences and the film’s fantastical elements feel real. Throughout the story, Liz fights to stay grounded and sharp, but when she finally cracks, it’s deeply affecting. Maslany has been a favorite of mine ever since her work on Orphan Black, and she continues to impress.

Keeper isn’t just Osgood Perkins’ best film yet, it’s one of the most genuinely creepy and atmospheric horror movies I’ve seen in a long time. Just go in without expecting a typical story and let its unsettling mood sink in.

⭐ (4.5 of 5)

Keeper hits theaters November 14, 2025.

Kyle Anderson is a Senior Editor at TopMob and the host of the “Laser Focus” podcast, where he dives deep into pop culture. He also writes film and TV reviews, and you can find him on Letterboxd.

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2025-11-13 21:03