What Keeps You Alive Reviews
Ciara Pitts Vague Visages
Minihan’s tale is a moody, memorable work of art that dares its audience to meditate on the layers and anxieties of love and deceit.
Full Review | Dec 15, 2023
Matt Glasby Radio Times
There is a violent about-turn that will surprise even hardened genre fans, but this is otherwise a not especially original play on the usual hunter/hunted model.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 23, 2023
Michael Cuby them.
An unnerving, bloody thriller, What Keeps You Alive is the perfect offering for queer horror fans looking for some scares that also speak to their own sexual identities.
Full Review | Sep 30, 2022
Ben Turner The Pink Lens
This is no Anti-Christ. This is about as profound as Matalan advert.
Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Sep 1, 2021
Taylor Baker Drink in the Movies
Episode 9: Phantasmagoria
Full Review | Original Score: 16/100 | Aug 28, 2021
Emma Wolfe SpookyAstronauts
I like a movie it takes itself quite seriously and I felt like this film did that in the best way.
Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Mar 22, 2021
Sara Century Bella Media
What Keeps You Alive is a great horror film that uses the visual perspective of its characters to paint a more unnerving picture than the script on its own would grant.
Full Review | Original Score: A+ | Feb 24, 2021
Eve Tushnet Patheos
This movie doesn't only captivate because of Allen's cagey-yet-vulnerable performance as Jules, or that shocking twist, or that mobile camera, or the creepy theme song...
Full Review | Oct 23, 2020
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews
...a deliberately-paced thriller that's ultimately at its best in its slow-burn yet fairly engrossing opening half hour...
Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 11, 2020
Roger Moore Movie Nation
Why tell us everything when good actresses can simply SHOW it?
Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Aug 5, 2020
Steven Prokopy Third Coast Review
It works as a horror experience but it also succeeds as a domestic drama, punctuated by blood and pain. Not for everyone, but for those who consider themselves fans of something different in horror, it's a must see.
Full Review | Jun 23, 2020
Matthew Turner Hero Collector
Taut, thrilling and packed with delicious twists and turns, this is a terrific indie horror that marks out Minihan as a serious talent to watch.
Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Jun 14, 2019
Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh
Fans of the home invasion subgenre are sure to enjoy the effective execution of well-worn tropes and unexpected narrative twists.
Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 19, 2019
Andrew Wyatt The Lens
A dark, gut-wrenching pleasure, anchored by Anderson's utterly chilling performance.
Full Review | Original Score: B | Dec 7, 2018
Danielle Del Plato Floated Alternative Culture Magazine
What Keeps You Alive is beautifully and effortless composed. Long takes will swiftly and smoothly carry you throughout the barren woods and rustic cabin, while gradually building tension that lasts until the films final moments.
Full Review | Original Score: 7.5/10 | Dec 6, 2018
Adam Lowes HeyUGuys
While What Keeps You Alive strains credibility on more than a couple of occasions, the cat and mouse machinations which kick in after the film's early devastating plot twist make for a highly watchable genre exercise.
Full Review | Oct 31, 2018
Jamie Righetti indieWire
Despite a few predictable beats, "What Keeps You Alive" offers plenty of effective jolts, helped along by the chemistry between leads Anderson and Allen.
Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Oct 31, 2018
Brad Wheeler Globe and Mail
That being said, the victory of What Keeps You Alive is not its heart-thumping (and a little too long) second act, but the question of survival versus vengeance the film raises.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 31, 2018
Dennis Harvey Variety
Nonetheless, it's an entertaining and well-crafted effort from a resourceful indie team who've scored enough respectable base hits to date that one might reasonably expect them to deliver a home-run any time now.
Full Review | Oct 31, 2018
Trace Thurman Bloody Disgusting
A simultaneously terrifying and (intentionally?) humorous tale of betrayal.
Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 31, 2018