‘Keeper’ overview: New Osgood Perkins horror is assured if underwhelming

A cabin within the woods. A good-looking boyfriend who appears somewhat too excellent. A stranger on the door.

Osgood Perkins’ newest horror movie isn’t simply rife with clichés — it warmly welcomes them in like previous associates, inviting the viewers to savor tropes we’ve seen loads of occasions earlier than. However after they’re recycled with the passion and ability that Perkins brings to “Keeper,” they’ll nonetheless really feel contemporary. At the very least for a short while.

Perkins’ third launch within the final 16 months shares similarities with each his 2024 standout “Longlegs” and his disappointing adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Monkey” that reach past their shared style. “Keeper” remembers “Longlegs’” crafty precision and embrace of traditional horror traditions whereas sporting the impish humor that outlined (and diminished) “The Monkey.” And but, this intimate chamber piece is its personal assured flex, additional proof that Perkins is an outstanding conjurer of old style dread, even when there’s little that’s memorable beneath.

Tatiana Maslany performs Liz, a commitment-phobic artist celebrating her one-year relationship anniversary with Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland), an older physician who whisks her away from the town for a romantic weekend at his luxurious, rustic trip residence. Liz finds herself out of her consolation zone in two methods — she’s not keen on nature, and a long-term relationship is a overseas idea to her — however she feels protected with Malcolm in the midst of the forest, regardless of a nagging suspicion that he might have a secret spouse.

“Keeper” takes place largely inside Malcolm’s Architectural Digest-worthy cabin, with Perkins usually filming Maslany from a distance, the beautiful home surrounding her like a cage. Liz and Malcolm have an affectionate, spiky rapport — she appears a bit guarded, uncertain about surrendering to his proclamations of affection — however the dynamic radically shifts as soon as Malcolm’s next-door neighbor seems.

That may be Darren (Birkett Turton), Malcolm’s conceited, bro-tastic cousin, who presents his newest fling, the statuesque Minka (Eden Weiss) as if she’s a shiny new sports activities automobile. (Proudly, Darren declares that she barely is aware of English.) However throughout a quiet apart, Minka ominously mentions to Liz {that a} chocolate cake made by the housekeeper tastes horrible, the remark sounding extra like a warning than a culinary evaluation. Later when Liz and Malcolm are alone, he insists she strive a chew.

Working from a script by Nick Lepard, Perkins fastidiously lays out a sequence of attractive clues concerning exactly when and the way the fear will descend upon Liz. Composer Edo Van Breemen’s shivering rating and cinematographer Jeremy Cox’s icy compositions give even essentially the most humdrum of moments — like Malcolm providing Liz the cake — a whiff of the sinister. For a lot of its runtime, “Keeper” succeeds as a chic tease, establishing acquainted horror prompts after which letting the viewers stew of their giddy uncertainty. When Malcolm abruptly broadcasts that he has to return to the town to take care of an ailing affected person, Liz should keep within the huge, empty home by herself, tormented by each the obnoxious Darren and in addition unusual visions of horrific figures which can be in all probability simply her creativeness. Or possibly it was one thing within the cake. Or possibly the place is definitely haunted. Perkins is aware of we’ve seen this all earlier than, virtually daring us to guess the way it will play out this time.

Maslany, who portrayed the doomed mom in “The Monkey,” brings an edge to Liz from the beginning, the character’s romantic anxieties segueing right into a concern that one thing in the home is out to kill her. Her properly grounded efficiency by no means betrays Liz’s intelligence or escalating annoyance. (Positive, she’s scared, however she’s additionally pissed that Malcolm has left her to fend for herself.) Like everybody in “Keeper,” Liz isn’t particularly well-drawn, however Maslany is so restrained and managed that she elevates the obscure character into a logo of each girl who’s been gaslit by a companion who swears all the pieces is okay.

However elegant teases will solely take a horror film to date. Finally, Perkins has to disclose what’s going on. And it’s right here that “Keeper” begins to unravel, the arrestingly pristine visuals and hypnotic rhythms giving approach to contrived explanations. For all its suffocating air of unease, “Keeper” is as deep as a thimble, having little to say about relationships, poisonous males or anything. And Perkins can too simply fall again on predictable methods, overlaying cheery pop songs on prime of macabre scenes for reasonable ironic impact.

However the place “The Monkey’s” snide humorousness about its kills shortly grew smug, this time Perkins’ gentle contact — even throughout essentially the most scary moments — offers this slight movie simply the fitting proportionality. Finally, one suspects Perkins views Liz’s dilemma as little greater than an excuse to assemble a enjoyable train in nightmare inducement that possesses the identical craftsmanship that Malcolm clearly put into his swanky cabin. Every is a sight to see and neither is value visiting for too lengthy.