“Keeper” follows a wife who becomes isolated in a secluded cabin and has to fend off an unspeakable evil.

A Slow Build That Never Pays Off

This is a taxing journey from start to finish. “Keeper” commits the ultimate sin of any horror film – it’s flat-out boring. Not much happens throughout the 89-minute runtime, and the final result is underwhelming at best.

As soon as “Keeper” begins attempting to explain, it loses all sense of reality. While the first two-thirds of the movie are slow-moving, the last 30 minutes end up being laughably forced.

“Keeper” unleashes a barrage of genuinely unnerving images near its climax, but… that’s all they are. Thrown into a story where they don’t belong, almost all the scary sequences feel unearned.

Because of this, the movie’s tone is all over the place. Most of it comes across as a relationship drama, while a small section leans into straight horror. While films can sometimes pull this off, “Keeper” is not one of them.

The movie’s half-baked approach is evident from the opening shot, showcasing a montage that gives the entire plot away. “Keeper” then follows a trajectory that is all too familiar – and has been done much better before.

Themes That Fade Fast

“Keeper” is another entry in the “relationship” horror subgenre. It offers perspective on manipulation and distrust in unhealthy relationships. Unfortunately, these ideas only come across for so long. The film largely abandons any meaningful subjects by the time the credits roll.

With “The Monkey” and now “Keeper,” Osgood Perkins has a pair of misses in 2025. These are wildly different movies, yet both face the same issues. Lackadaisical scripts, uneven pacing and weak scares have plagued Perkins this year.

Despite its faults, “Keeper” does nail the visuals. Most of the film takes place in a single location, and it’s utilized well. It captures the open layout of this cabin in the woods, making natural lighting and environment shots part of its identity. Despite its vastness, the lingering feeling of claustrophobia is captured through up-close, personal cinematography.

A Strong Lead in a Hollow Film

Tatiana Maslany (Liz) once again flexes her star power. Simply put, she is one of the best working actors right now. Maslany does effortlessly what so many others wish to achieve. Even in out-of-place scenes, she brings piercing emotion to the screen through single facial expressions.

Maslany is countered by Rossif Sutherland (Malcolm). While he is largely effective, Sutherland’s performance almost borders on parody at times. It’s too often over-the-top, not pairing well with Maslany’s more subdued character.

“Keeper” is not a keeper. It’s a horror movie with no soul, with Maslany’s performance being the sole bright spot. Creepy visuals? Sure. Do they mean anything? Not so much.

Rating: 1.5 out of 5