Keeper (2025) is a chilling psychological horror film that weaves a romantic drama with supernatural dread, delivering a slow-burning masterpiece that lingers like a shadow. Directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Tatiana Maslany, Rossif Sutherland, and Tess Degenstein, this horror thriller transforms a romantic getaway into a terrifying descent into betrayal, obsession, and death. In this movie review, we explore why Keeper is a must-watch for fans of psychological horror, supernatural mysteries, and emotional storytelling, cementing its place as a standout in 2025 horror cinema.
A Romantic Retreat Turned Nightmare
Keeper follows a couple, played by Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland, who arrive at a remote cabin in the woods for a tender anniversary trip. Their love is palpable, but the idyllic retreat quickly curdles into terror as they sense a sinister presence. The cabin’s dark history—stained with betrayal, obsession, and death—unravels through eerie whispers and unsettling visions. As the couple grapples with forces beyond comprehension, their love is tested, and the cabin becomes a prison of secrets.
The narrative, penned by Nick Lepard, blends romantic tension with supernatural horror, exploring themes of trust, memory, and the inescapable past. The tagline, “Love brought them here. The past won’t let them leave,” captures the film’s haunting essence, making Keeper a gripping tale where passion and paranoia collide.
Stellar Performances That Anchor the Dread
Tatiana Maslany delivers a powerhouse performance as half of the couple, balancing vulnerability and desperation as she confronts the cabin’s dark forces. Her ability to convey emotional depth grounds the supernatural terror, making her struggle resonate. Rossif Sutherland complements her with a nuanced portrayal, his quiet strength unraveling into fear as the sinister presence tightens its grip. Tess Degenstein steals scenes as a ghostly figure tied to the cabin’s tragic past, her haunting performance blurring the line between the living and the dead.
The chemistry between Maslany and Sutherland infuses the romantic drama with authenticity, while Degenstein’s eerie presence elevates the horror, creating a trio of performances that drive the film’s emotional and terrifying stakes.
Slow-Burning Atmosphere and Cinematic Mastery
Under Osgood Perkins’s direction—known for The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Longlegs—Keeper crafts a suffocating atmosphere that feels alive with dread. The cinematography transforms the cabin in the woods into a character, with shadowy corners, flickering lights, and locked doors exuding menace. Every frame is meticulously composed, using muted colors and stark contrasts to evoke a sense of isolation and paranoia.
The sound design is masterful, with whispering shadows, creaking wood, and distant cries burrowing under the skin. The score, haunting yet understated, amplifies the slow-burn tension, erupting into moments of heart-stopping terror. Perkins’s signature style creates a visual rhythm that feels like a descent into a nightmare, making Keeper a standout in psychological horror.
