What Keeps You Alive 2018
Directed by
Colin Minihan
Made by
IFC Midnight
Plot Summary
Jackie decides to take her wife, Jules, to a secluded cabin to celebrate their first anniversary, but things take a dark turn when Jackie’s childhood friend, Sarah, visits and calls Jackie by her former name, “Megan.” This revelation raises suspicion in Jules, who confronts Sarah and her husband, Daniel. During their discussion, Sarah recounts a tragic incident involving a girl named Jenny, who drowned when they were children, and is taken aback when she learns that Jackie never mentioned this tragedy. Jackie later confesses that she withheld the information because she believed she was to blame for the incident, despite being cleared of any police wrongdoing. This moment of vulnerability leads to a tender moment as Jules comforts Jackie.
However, the celebration turns sinister when Jackie suddenly pushes Jules off a cliff while they admire the beautiful wilderness view. After returning to the cabin, Jackie rehearses a tearful call to the police, reporting Jules’ supposed death. Unbeknownst to her, Jules, though gravely injured, is still alive. Upon discovering that her wife has escaped, Jackie frantically searches the forests, pleading for Jules’ forgiveness. Jules contemplates revealing herself but becomes wary when Jackie’s true intentions become apparent — that her concern is merely an act. Ultimately, Jules manages to reach safety at the house, tending to her wounds and attempting to escape across the lake in a boat, but Jackie catches up to her.
Daniel witnesses the escalating tension, and despite Jackie threatening both him and Sarah, Jules insists they come for dinner, wanting to show that everything is fine. However, Jackie reveals her true feelings, declaring that she never loved Jules and plans to kill her for the life insurance money. The plot thickens when it’s suggested that Jackie was involved in Jenny’s death. As Sarah grows increasingly suspicious of Jackie, the tension culminates in a horrifying confrontation where Jackie murders Daniel and fatally assaults Sarah. She then coerces Jules into helping dispose of the bodies, revealing a box filled with necklaces belonging to her deceased former wives, hinting at Jackie’s dark past.
The situation escalates as Jackie drives Jules back to the cliff’s edge with the intention of finishing what she started. However, Jules fiercely resists and manages to incapacitate Jackie with a tranquilizer dart, narrowly escaping in a car. Still, she bravely returns for a confrontation, which leads to a brutal struggle where Jackie eventually gains the upper hand and throws Jules over the cliff once more. Believing she has succeeded in her deadly plans, Jackie contacts the police.
In a shocking twist, as Jackie injects herself with insulin due to her diabetes, she begins to feel unwell. She soon realizes that the insulin has been tampered with, spiked with hydrogen peroxide, leading to deadly blood clots. In her weakened state, she collapses in the woods and ultimately dies from a stroke.
Meanwhile, below the cliff, Jules lies seemingly lifeless with eyes wide open. Yet, as the camera pans over the sprawling trees, a sharp intake of breath is heard, hinting at her miraculous survival against all odds.
Timeline
Anniversary Celebration Begins
Jackie and her wife Jules head to a secluded cabin to celebrate their first anniversary together. This trip is meant to be a romantic getaway, filled with love and cherished memories.
Revelation of the Past
Jackie's childhood friend Sarah visits the cabin and calls Jackie by her former name, Megan. This unexpected revelation raises suspicions in Jules, leading to a confrontation that uncovers old wounds.
The Story of Jenny
During their discussions, Sarah recalls a tragic incident from their childhood where a girl named Jenny drowned. Jackie is taken aback when Sarah points out that she never spoke of this tragic event, indicating deeper issues from her past.
Jackie's Confession
Jackie confesses to Jules that she withheld information about Jenny's accident because she felt responsible for the tragedy. This moment of vulnerability strengthens the bond between Jackie and Jules, as Jules offers her comfort.
The Cliff Incident
What begins as a serene moment turns dark when Jackie suddenly pushes Jules off a cliff while they admire the wilderness view. This shocking betrayal marks a significant turning point in their relationship.
Deceptive Call to Police
After pushing Jules off the cliff, Jackie rehearses a tearful call to the police, pretending to report Jules' death. She is unaware that Jules is still alive but gravely injured and struggling for survival.
Desperate Search
Jackie begins frantically searching the forests for Jules, pleading for her forgiveness. Unbeknownst to Jackie, Jules has found a way to escape despite her injuries.
Dinner Invitation with Tension
Despite the escalating tension, Jules insists that Sarah and her husband Daniel join them for dinner to maintain appearances. However, Jackie reveals her disdain for Jules, intensifying the atmosphere of distrust.
Unveiling Dark Intentions
Jackie reveals her true feelings towards Jules, declaring that she never loved her and plans to kill her for the life insurance money. This admission shocks everyone and sets the stage for confrontation.
Murder in the Cabin
Tensions culminate in a horrifying sequence where Jackie murders Daniel and assaults Sarah, demonstrating her violent intentions. She then coerces Jules into helping dispose of the bodies, revealing her sinister past.
Drive Back to the Cliff
Jackie again drives Jules back to the cliff's edge, planning to finish what she started. However, their struggle leads to an unexpected twist as Jules fights back against her captor.
A Dangerous Showdown
In a brutal struggle, Jules manages to use a tranquilizer dart on Jackie, escaping in a car. But her resolve brings her back for a final confrontation, demonstrating her fight for survival.
Jackie's Fatal Mistake
As Jackie injects herself with insulin, she doesn't realize it has been tampered with. This leads to her severe health decline as she collapses in the woods, facing the consequences of her actions.
Jules' Miraculous Survival
While Jackie believes she has succeeded in her plans, Jules lies below the cliff, seemingly lifeless. However, a sharp intake of breath suggests her miraculous survival, hinting at hope amidst the despair.
Final Twist of Fate
As the camera pans away from the cliff, Jules' faint breathing symbolizes resilience. This final moment leaves viewers questioning the characters' fates and the consequences of Jackie's dark choices.
Characters
Jackie (Hannah Emily Anderson)
Jackie appears initially as a loving partner to Jules, but underlying aggression and deceit are revealed as the story progresses. Her psychological complexity unfolds, showcasing a blend of charm and malevolence, driven by jealousy and a desire for control.
Jules (Brittany Allen)
Jules is portrayed as empathetic and trusting, initially lost in the romantic facade of her relationship with Jackie. Her character evolves as she faces the brutal reality of her situation, showcasing resilience and resourcefulness in her struggle for survival.
Sarah (Martha MacIsaac)
Sarah serves as a pivotal character who inadvertently triggers the unraveling of Jackie's secrets. While she presents a friendly demeanor, her presence brings tension, highlighting the complexities of friendship and unveiling hidden past traumas.
Setting
Time period
Present Day
Taking place in the present day, the film captures modern themes of trust, betrayal, and the latent darkness within relationships. The contemporary setting emphasizes the psychological elements of the story, making the horrific actions more relatable and shocking.
Location
Secluded Cabin, Wilderness
The secluded cabin serves as a backdrop for a seemingly peaceful anniversary celebration but becomes a site of dark betrayal and horror. Surrounded by untamed wilderness, the location is both beautiful and treacherous, amplifying the tension and danger that unfolds within.
Themes
💔
Betrayal
Betrayal is a central theme as Jackie reveals her dark true self, undermining the trust and love purportedly shared with Jules. This theme is highlighted through Jackie's deceptive façade and her ultimate betrayal of her wife, showcasing how appearances can be misleading and intentions malicious.
🚨
Survival
The theme of survival emerges as Jules fights against overwhelming odds and attempts to escape Jackie's lethal intentions. Her determination in the face of imminent danger illustrates the instinctual will to live, as she navigates both physical and psychological challenges to survive.
👻
Dark Past
Jackie's dark past looms over the narrative, revealed through her relationships and past tragedies. The haunting memories of her former wives and the incident involving Jenny create a chilling context for her actions and motivations, underscoring how unresolved guilt and trauma can manifest in destructive ways.
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