Osgood Perkins‘ new film, Keeper, set to premiere on November 14, delves into troubling aspects of masculinity and societal power structures. Following the success of his previous work, Longlegs, Perkins and lead actress Tatiana Maslany have begun revealing the unsettling themes the movie tackles, focusing on toxic masculinity and the patriarchy.
Understanding the Core Themes: Toxic Masculinity and Patriarchy
In a recent interview with ComicBook.com, Perkins discussed how Keeper presents a harsh examination of male behavior and societal expectations. He described the film as a portrayal of
“the worst part of being male,”
confronting viewers with a stark look at what he termed “disgusting maleness.”
“It’s the worst part of being male […] It’s a look at disgusting maleness. If you wanna call it the patriarchy, you wanna call it misogyny, you wanna call it toxic masculinity, whatever you wanna call it. It’s a depiction of our worst selves as men. That’s my answer to you. Sometimes we have to look and be like, ‘ew, gross.’ And I think that Keeper is a look at men, ‘gross.’” —Osgood Perkins, Director
Maslany also weighed in, acknowledging that the film critiques more than just men. She emphasized the complexity of human instincts and self-deception under patriarchal influence.
“I would say, in some ways, it’s also a look at women, gross, if we’re gonna get super binary about it […] But I do think it is the instincts that you ignore, or the ways you know something but have gaslit yourself. Which is obviously, I guess, patriarchy. That’s patriarchy. Never mind, it’s all about men. Men suck.” —Tatiana Maslany, Lead Actress
Plot Overview and Key Characters
Written by Nick Lepard, known for Dangerous Animals, Keeper features Rossif Sutherland, famous for Possessor, alongside Maslany. The story follows a couple, Malcolm (Sutherland) and Liz (Maslany), as they embark on what should be a romantic anniversary weekend in a remote cabin. However, when Malcolm abruptly leaves the cabin and returns to the city, Liz becomes isolated and faces an ominous and unseen threat that reveals disturbing secrets tied to the location.
When Malcolm (Sutherland) suddenly returns to the city, Liz (Maslany) finds herself isolated and in the presence of an unspeakable evil that unveils the cabin’s horrifying secrets.
Visual Hints and Anticipated Responses
The themes Perkins and Maslany have described resonate with scenes from Keeper’s trailer, where women are shown under unsettling surveillance by an unknown figure or entity. This voyeuristic imagery underlines the film’s exploration of power, control, and the darker facets of human nature. Fans and critics alike are beginning to speculate about the film’s deeper implications and what the “unspeakable evil” might symbolize.
What Keeper’s Exploration Means for Viewers
With its focus on toxic masculinity and patriarchal corruption, Keeper challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about gender dynamics and societal failings. By presenting characters and situations that reflect these dark realities, Perkins offers a disturbing but important reflection on the persistence of these issues. As the film prepares to debut in theaters, viewers can expect a tense and thought-provoking experience that pushes boundaries and ignites critical conversations about identity and power.
