Warning: The true horror in Osgood Perkins' 'Keeper' isn’t what you think it is. This year, Perkins has delivered a chilling one-two punch with his horror releases: The Monkey, a visceral Stephen King adaptation, and Keeper, a haunted cabin thriller that’s anything but predictable. But here’s where it gets controversial: Keeper isn’t just about a couple’s ill-fated getaway—it’s a twisted tale of immortality, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between victim and monster. Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t seen Keeper yet, proceed with caution—major plot points are about to be unraveled.
On the surface, Keeper follows Liz (Tatiana Maslany) and her boyfriend Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland) as they retreat to a secluded cabin for a romantic escape. But Perkins, known for layering psychological depth into his horror films (think Longlegs and The Blackcoat’s Daughter), quickly subverts expectations. Liz begins experiencing eerie visions of undead spirits, while Malcolm’s charming demeanor cracks to reveal a sinister agenda. And this is the part most people miss: Malcolm isn’t just a doctor—he’s an immortal manipulator who’s been luring women to the cabin for centuries, sacrificing them to sustain his eternal life.
In a jaw-dropping flashback, we learn Malcolm’s origins. Two centuries ago, a young Malcolm and his cousin captured a pregnant trespasser who turned out to be a witch. She gave birth to a horde of monstrous creatures, who granted the cousins immortality in exchange for a gruesome bargain: the lives of women brought to the cabin as offerings. This explains Liz’s visions—the undead ghouls are the remnants of Malcolm’s past victims, including a woman with a bloodied bag over her head, a long-necked spirit, and a white-faced monster spewing bile. But here’s the twist: the pregnant witch bore a striking resemblance to Liz, leading the creatures to see her as their mother.
When Malcolm’s plan to sacrifice Liz backfires, the monsters spare her life. Instead, they turn on him, and Liz, empowered by her newfound connection to the creatures, takes revenge. She captures Malcolm, hangs him upside down from a tree, and leaves him to a fate worse than death. The final shot—Liz’s eyes turning jet-black, mirroring her monstrous children—leaves audiences with a chilling question: Who are the real monsters here?
Controversial Take: Perkins seems to suggest that the true horror isn’t the supernatural entities but the human capacity for manipulation and cruelty. Malcolm’s immortality is built on a foundation of lies and sacrifice, while Liz’s transformation challenges our notions of victimhood. Is Liz a survivor, a monster, or something in between? And what does her alliance with the creatures say about the nature of motherhood and revenge? These questions linger long after the credits roll, making Keeper a haunting exploration of morality and identity. What’s your take? Do you see Liz as a hero or a monster? Let’s debate in the comments!
