Director Osgood Perkins, the director credited with reshaping modern American horror and captivating audiences around the world, is preparing to deliver another terrifying cinematic experience this summer.
Known for his distinctive visual style, eerie atmosphere and unique narrative approach, Perkins has collaborated with some of the industry’s most successful horror creators for his latest project, Keeper, which will officially premiere in South Korean theaters on July 8. The announcement has already generated considerable excitement among horror fans.
The upcoming film comes with the chilling tagline: “What guards this place is not human.” The story follows Liz, a woman who unexpectedly arrives in a remote and isolated place while accompanying her partner, only to become the target of a huge and terrifying curse whose origins remain unknown.
The first poster released alongside the premiere announcement delves further into 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 much more sinister. Combined with praise from a major US 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 full of dreamlike terror and astonishing visual artistry. Many critics consider him one of the most innovative voices in contemporary horror cinema.
He became closely associated with NEON, the independent distributor known for supporting stylish, cutting-edge films. Over the years, Perkins has emerged as one of the company’s most celebrated directors.
His previous film, Longlegs, became a phenomenon upon its release in North America, generating extraordinary box office results. The film achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing the domestic earnings record previously held by Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning masterpiece Parasite to become the highest-grossing NEON release in North American history.
Thanks to this achievement, the industry’s 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 horror phenomenon “Backrooms”.
Another important reason for the growing anticipation around Keeper is the involvement of the creative team behind the horror film Backrooms, which recently became a smash hit in South Korea.
According to data from Korea’s Box Office Information System, Backrooms surpassed one million viewers just 21 days after its release, ending a long drought of imported horror and thriller films. It became the first foreign horror film to surpass the one million admissions mark since Jordan Peele’s Us, which had achieved the feat years earlier.
The film generated a global sensation through its haunting depiction of endless yellow corridors, fluorescent-lit spaces, and unexplained supernatural events experienced by its protagonists.
For Keeper, many of the key artists responsible for creating the visual and aural terror of Backrooms joined the production. The teams behind the cinematography, production design, set construction, editing, costumes, music and even hair and makeup have come together, 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 director served as a producer and mentor throughout the younger director’s journey to creating a global horror phenomenon, reflecting the strong artistic relationship between the two creators.
Now, a director 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 hits theaters nationwide on July 8.
Sources: Naver
