Movie Review – Keeper

I had no idea what this film was about going in. I find that is the best way to view an Osgood Perkins film for the first time. I don’t want to know what is coming. I just want to enjoy the crazy what-the-hell-is-going-on ride.

Liz and Malcolm go to a remote cabin in the woods for some time away. The problem is that Malcolm’s cousin is milling about and he is super socially awkward and Liz is beginning to realize that Malcolm really doesn’t know her at all, especially when he guilts her into eating chocolate cake. And she hates chocolate. Her time in the cabin leaves her feeling restless and confused as she begins hearing and seeing strange things. Only in the end does she realize that something nefarious is in play.

I’m not spoiling the ending for you because, as I said, you need to see it to believe it. This entire film is meant to be an uncomfortable experience. An awkward, manipulative look at relationships that goes off in a completely different direction than I thought it was going. That is the highest form of compliment because, wow, what a surprise.

There are underlying themes about what women are expected to give up in relationships and how entitled men are in what they deserve that I hope people discuss when watching this film. There is some well written gaslighting in play too. As far as messed up relationships go, this one wasn’t a keeper in the long term.

Tatiana Maslany, who you’ll recognize from Orphan Black, puts in a sometimes subtle and often heartbreaking performance that is impossible to turn away from. Her facial expressions tell their own story and seeing her let a tear fall more than once without hiding it from her partner was storytelling at its finest, especially when Malcolm pretended to not see it. This film has three great things going for it and Maslany is one of them.

The other wonderful things, you ask? The visuals, for one. Throughout the film, there are shadows hidden in almost every scene that go unnoticed by Liz who can feel a strange presence but doesn’t notice what is going on in the house around her. I had a hard time looking away for this reason. It’s the kind of movie that I’ll probably pick up something new each time I watch it, and there will be more times.

Lastly, this film has the best use of honey I’ve ever seen. And I already said it, but you need to see it to believe it.

4 out of 5 stars. Not my favorite Osgood Perkins directed film, but certainly a watchable one. Some people are going to hate it, but that is what is so great about Perkins’ films. They get people talking about film because he offers up something different each time.