The Keeping Room 2015

As the relentless American Civil War approaches its conclusion, three Southern women—the steadfast Augusta and her younger sister Louise, alongside the resilient African-American slave Mad—find themselves isolated, devoid of male protection. Their tranquil lives quickly unravel with the unforeseen arrival of two rogue soldiers who have deserted the Union Army. In her search for medicine to ease her ailing sister’s suffering, Augusta stumbles upon the grim reality that has befallen their neighbor, who has met a tragic end due to poison. Her venture into a nearby tavern proves fruitless when the barkeep delivers a stern warning, compelling her to leave. It is there that she crosses paths with the miscreants Moses and Henry, soldiers who embody chaos and disruption.

As darkness descends, the women are jolted awake by disturbing sounds outside their home. Their fears are confirmed as they confront Moses and Henry, whose intentions are revealed through a violent encounter. In a frenzied shootout, Henry commits a horrific act against Louise, sparking Mad’s fury. In a moment of righteous vengeance, she retaliates against her assailant, while Augusta’s attempts leave Moses severely injured yet still alive.

In the wake of this brutal confrontation, the trio retreats to their kitchen, where Mad shares a haunting narrative of her traumatic childhood and the violations she endured. Tension hangs thick in the air as they prepare for either reinforcements or further peril. Unexpectedly, Bill, Mad’s long-lost lover, makes an entrance only to face a tragic end due to Augusta’s accidental gunfire. As he fades away, he ominously warns, >“They’re coming,” signaling a catastrophic reckoning that promises nothing but devastation.

Come morning, they find Moses barely alive, and he reveals himself to be a “bummer,” tasked with scavenging in advance of the main army. His menacing warning to Augusta about the ruthless advance of Billy adds a layer of urgency. Without hesitation, Augusta extinguishes Moses’s life, reflecting the brutal realities imposed by war.

As the sun sets, the three women deliberate their options for survival against the impending threat. Determined to defend their home, they seize the uniforms of their slain foes, transforming into makeshift soldiers. With grim resolve, they ignite their house, the flames symbolizing their indomitable spirit to face whatever horrors the night may bring.

As the scene widens, the trio’s figures merge into the approaching darkness, with the Union Army’s advance swiftly closing in, intent on turning everything they encounter into mere ash and rubble.