Keeper (2026 Blu-ray): Osgood Perkins' Slow-Burn Folk Horror – Atmospheric Dread or Tedious Slog?

Keeper (2025, released on physical media in 2026) is a folk horror film from acclaimed director Osgood Perkins (known for Longlegs and The Monkey), produced and distributed by NEON (with home video via Decal Releasing). The movie stars Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) as Liz, a free-spirited artist and painter, alongside Rossif Sutherland (Possessor) as Malcolm, a doctor and her boyfriend of about a year. Supporting roles include Birkett Turton, Tess Degenstein, and others in smaller capacities. 

The plot centers on a couple's romantic anniversary getaway to a secluded, remote cabin in the woods, where an eerie dark presence gradually emerges, forcing them to confront unsettling secrets tied to the property. This slow-burn psychological and folk horror effort runs about 99 minutes and earned mixed reception upon its November 2025 theatrical release. Critics often praised its atmosphere and visuals but criticized its pacing and narrative cohesion, leading to a roughly split Rotten Tomatoes score with descriptors like "unsettling but half-baked." Audience views varied, with some appreciating the creeping dread while others found it tedious or underwhelming.

The story, itself, unfolds deliberately, beginning with what appears to be an idyllic escape for Liz and Malcolm to celebrate their relationship milestone. Liz, portrayed as creative and somewhat free-spirited, contrasts with Malcolm's more grounded, professional demeanor as a doctor. When circumstances shift and Liz is left increasingly isolated in the cabin, strange occurrences build including visions, disturbances, and hints of something sinister rooted in the location's history. Supporting characters, including figures like local acquaintances or fleeting apparitions (played by actors such as Birkett Turton and Tess Degenstein), add layers of unease without overwhelming the central duo's dynamic. Perkins crafts a narrative heavy on implication and isolation, drawing from folk horror traditions where the rural setting itself feels alive with ancient, malevolent forces.

Stylistically, Keeper leans into atmospheric, slow-burn folk horror with strong psychological undertones rather than overt gore or slashers. It relies on creeping dread, surreal visions, unsettling imagery, and a sense of inevitable doom rather than frequent jump scares. The scares are more existential and mind-bending such as lingering shots of the woods, distorted perceptions, and a mounting feeling of wrongness, all evoking classics like The Witch or Perkins' own prior works, but with a more intimate, relationship-focused lens. Practical effects and subtle visual distortions enhance the unease without relying on CGI spectacle.

Performances are a highlight. Tatiana Maslany delivers a committed, believable turn as Liz, capturing vulnerability, confusion, and growing terror with nuance that grounds the film's more abstract elements. Rossif Sutherland is solid as Malcolm, bringing a calm exterior that masks deeper complexities. The supporting cast adds credible texture to the periphery. Perkins effectively builds an atmosphere of fear through deliberate scripting, isolated set pieces (the cabin and surrounding woods feel oppressively claustrophobic despite the open space), and restrained but impactful practical effects that emphasize body horror and surreal dread over cheap thrills. However, some viewers note the tension occasionally feels stretched rather than sustained.

Pacing is the film's most divisive aspect in that it's intentionally languid, prioritizing mood and buildup over momentum, which pays off for fans of contemplative horror but can feel like a slog for those expecting more urgency or frequent payoffs. The film takes its time simmering before unleashing more intense moments toward the end.

Verdict: 

Keeper is a visually striking, atmospheric addition for horror enthusiasts who appreciate slow-burn folk horror indies and psychological dread, especially in high-quality physical media like the 2026 4K UHD + Blu-ray combo pack (which includes solid video/audio upgrades and extras like a Perkins commentary). It's worth adding to a collection if you're a fan of Perkins' style or collectors of modern indie horror from NEON. For casual viewers, it might lean more toward rental/stream due to its polarizing slow pace and mixed narrative execution. 

Overall rating:

" 3.5 out of 5". It's strong on acting (particularly Maslany) and fear factor through atmosphere, but held back by a plot that feels undercooked and meandering at times.