Director Osgood Perkins, the filmmaker credited with reshaping modern American horror and captivating audiences worldwide, is preparing to deliver another terrifying cinematic experience this summer.
Known for his distinctive visual style, unsettling atmosphere, and unique storytelling approach, Perkins has teamed up with some of the industry’s most successful horror creators for his latest project, Keeper, which is officially set to premiere in South Korean theaters on July 8. The announcement has already sparked considerable excitement among horror fans.
The upcoming film introduces itself with the chilling tagline, “What guards this place is not human.” The story follows Liz, a woman who unexpectedly arrives at a remote and isolated location while accompanying her partner, only to become the target of an enormous and horrifying curse whose origins remain unknown.
The first poster released alongside the premiere announcement further deepens the mystery. It features the silhouette of a figure whose face is carefully obscured, making it impossible to determine whether the character is human or something far more sinister. Combined with praise from a major U.S. media outlet describing the film as “a nightmare brought to life,” the marketing has fueled curiosity about the new kind of fear Perkins aims to create.
The Horror Visionary Who Surpassed Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite”
Osgood Perkins has earned a reputation for creating haunting worlds filled with dreamlike dread and striking visual artistry. Many critics consider him one of the most innovative voices in contemporary horror cinema.
He has become closely associated with NEON, the independent distributor known for supporting stylish and boundary-pushing films. Over the years, Perkins has emerged as one of the company’s most celebrated filmmakers.
His previous film, Longlegs, became a phenomenon upon its North American release, generating extraordinary box-office results. The film achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing the domestic earnings record previously held by Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning masterpiece Parasite, becoming the highest-grossing NEON release in North American history.
Because of that achievement, industry attention is now firmly focused on Keeper, which marks the third consecutive collaboration between Perkins and NEON following Longlegs and The Monkey.
Collaboration With the Team Behind the “Backrooms” Horror Phenomenon
Another major reason for the growing anticipation surrounding Keeper is the involvement of the creative team behind the horror hit Backrooms, which recently became a breakout success in South Korea.
According to data from the Korean Box Office Information System, Backrooms surpassed one million admissions just 21 days after its release, ending a lengthy drought for imported horror and thriller films. It became the first foreign horror movie to cross the one-million-viewer mark since Jordan Peele’s Us, which achieved the feat years earlier.
The film generated a global sensation through its unsettling depiction of endless yellow hallways, fluorescent-lit spaces, and unexplained supernatural events experienced by its protagonists.
For Keeper, many of the key artists responsible for crafting the visual and auditory terror of Backrooms have joined the production. The teams behind cinematography, production design, set construction, editing, costumes, music, and even hair and makeup have reunited, raising expectations for a highly polished and immersive horror experience.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Perkins himself played a supporting role in the rise of Backrooms director Kane Parsons. The veteran filmmaker served as a producer and mentor during the younger director’s journey to creating a worldwide horror phenomenon, reflecting the strong artistic relationship between the two creators.
Now, a filmmaker who shattered box-office records previously held by one of cinema’s most respected directors has joined forces with the team that revitalized the horror market. Together, they are bringing audiences what many expect to be one of the most talked-about horror releases of the year.
Keeper is scheduled to arrive in theaters nationwide on July 8.
Sources: Naver
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