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Halloween Horror Movie #16:

Keeper (2025): Though I purchased the 4k of Keeper when it was released way back in February, poor reviews kept the film unwatched for almost eight months. Still, being Halloween, I decided to finally give it a spin and I'm rather befuddled as to the poor reviews--Rotten Tomatoes has the critic score at 51% and the audience score at 40%--especially in wake of the hype director Osgood Perkins received for Longlegs.

While sparse on plot--the film is set over a weekend getaway to a remote cabin, Liz becomes increasingly suspicious of her boyfriend Malcolm as weird occurrences mount and strange power plays come into greater focus--Perkins milks the creepiness for all its worth, and anchoring it all with Tatiana Maslany's stellar performance.

Yes, the film is rather slow, but the film does go full-on horror at the end, which makes it worth the wait. Yes, the very end, while wrapping things up, may have done so a little too neatly. And yes, there is a strong use of metaphor within the strangeness that may bewilder a certain segment of viewers. However, this all feels completely inline with the rest of Perkins's filmography (well, except for The Monkey, which was about as subtle as bat to the kneecap). So, if you liked Perkins's previous films, then this is a solid recommendation. If you didn't, I doubt this will change your mind. In other words, your mileage may vary, but I really liked it. 

Grade: B+

@sock_monkey Aside from THE BLACKCOAT'S DAUGHTER, I thought KEEPER was one of his best films. Tatiana Maslany was great.

Posted by: @dannyboy121070

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@sock_monkey Aside from THE BLACKCOAT'S DAUGHTER, I thought KEEPER was one of his best films. Tatiana Maslany was great.

Hey! I'm glad to hear you liked it! I figured I'd be all alone on this one considering how poorly the film was reviewed. I think this one is going to be a grower over time. 

I have recently become a huge Tatiana Maslany fan. I thought she was great in The Monkey, and also carried Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. I need to track down more of her stuff. 

Saw Crawlers last night and thought it was a really fun movie.

Nothing ground breaking by any stretch, but I certainly had more fun with Crawlers than any of the movies I've seen lately.

A killer spider infestation in a rundown apartment building that is quickly quarantined by the feds.  A plucky female superintendent does her best to keep everyone safe, but fails miserably, hence the fun of the movie!

The director is obviously a horror movie fan, and it shows.  There were scenes in Crawlers that were right out of Halloween, Alien, and Aliens.

The acting was OK (the cast was completely unknown to me), the effects good enough to get the job done, and a lean run time of less than 90 minutes kept the storyline humming along.  There was also several laugh out loud moments, especially when the lead actress channels Ripley (via Pulp Fiction!) at the end of the movie.

Leave your brain at the door, make a cocktail (or two), and enjoy.

B