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What Keeps You Alive 2018

While celebrating their anniversary at a remote cabin, Jackie and Jules find their idyllic getaway shattered by a shocking series of events. As the weekend progresses, a sinister plot unfolds, forcing Jackie to confront a terrifying truth about her best friend, Jules. The once familiar landscape transforms into a desperate fight for survival as Jackie must uncover the secrets that threaten her life and expose a hidden darkness lurking beneath the surface of their friendship.

While celebrating their anniversary at a remote cabin, Jackie and Jules find their idyllic getaway shattered by a shocking series of events. As the weekend progresses, a sinister plot unfolds, forcing Jackie to confront a terrifying truth about her best friend, Jules. The once familiar landscape transforms into a desperate fight for survival as Jackie must uncover the secrets that threaten her life and expose a hidden darkness lurking beneath the surface of their friendship.

Does What Keeps You Alive have end credit scenes?

No!

What Keeps You Alive does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of What Keeps You Alive

Explore the complete cast of What Keeps You Alive, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for What Keeps You Alive

See how What Keeps You Alive is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where What Keeps You Alive stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

58

The film delivers a visually driven thriller with strong performances offset by uneven pacing and restrained replay value. Critics lauded the bold visual style and the leads’ chemistry, while some viewers found fault in the plot’s plausibility and narrative momentum. The sensory design earns praise for its dynamic staging and soundscapes, yet the story’s familiarity and limited thematic depth temper engagement. Overall, What Keeps You Alive offers moments of effective tension but yields a mixed overall experience.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for What Keeps You Alive

60
Echo Score

Art & Craft

Art & Craft stands out for its bold visual language and confident camera work. The direction employs striking color contrasts and dynamic framings that critics found energizing. Some reviewers noted occasional overemphasis on visual motifs, yet most agree the film’s staging and editing cultivate sustained tension. Overall, the visual design is a driving asset.

65
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

In terms of Character & Emotion, the leads deliver layered performances that anchor the central relationship. Critics highlighted the nuanced portrayal of trust and betrayal, noting the actors’ chemistry as a key asset. Some viewers questioned the depth of the psychological motivations but acknowledged moments of genuine emotional resonance. Overall, the character work is a relative strength.

50
Echo Score

Story & Flow

When it comes to Story & Flow, the film offers a familiar revenge framework with intermittent surprises in its second act. Pacing is varied, with a tense buildup followed by a prolonged midsection that some found sluggish. While the narrative raises compelling questions about survival versus vengeance, inconsistent plot development tempers engagement. Overall, the story remains serviceable but uneven.

65
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

Regarding Sensory Experience, the movie employs a vivid soundscape and carefully composed imagery. The score and sound design amplify key jolts, while stark color palettes and rural settings evoke unease. Critics praised the gorgeously staged gore and dynamic camera motion, though a few viewers felt the aesthetic sometimes overshadowed substance. Overall, the sensory elements are a strong suit.

50
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film’s strengths lie in select suspenseful sequences and stylistic touches. However, the predictability of plot twists and limited thematic depth reduce incentives for repeat viewings. While some viewers appreciate the atmospheric tension on a second watch, the uneven pacing and modest narrative complexity limit lasting appeal. Overall, rewatch value is moderate.

Metacritic

66

Metascore

4.9

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

82%

TOMATOMETER

review

44%

User Score

IMDb

5.7 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

58

%

User Score

Letterboxd

2.9

From 27 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate What Keeps You Alive Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of What Keeps You Alive with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


What Keeps You Alive Quiz: Test your knowledge on the thrilling twists and dark secrets of 'What Keeps You Alive'.

What is the relationship between Jackie and Jules?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for What Keeps You Alive

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Read the complete plot summary of What Keeps You Alive, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


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.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for What Keeps You Alive

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from What Keeps You Alive. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


What Keeps You Alive - Official Red Band Trailer I HD I IFC Midnight

Cars Featured in What Keeps You Alive

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Explore all cars featured in What Keeps You Alive, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Jeep

2015

Wrangler Unlimited

Volkswagen

2005

Jetta A5 Typ 1K

What Keeps You Alive Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


lesbian sexlesbian couplemarried lesbian couplefemale villainemotionless womanfemale protagonistlesbian protagonistpremeditated murderforestcabin in the woodshuman preyfemale nuditylesbiantitle spoken by characteremotional womandeath trapbloodfemale serial killermurder confessionmind gamefemale sadistfemale sociopathfemale psycho killerevil womanmost dangerous gamehuntedinsane womanfemale predatortorturepsychological horrorhuman hunting a humandomineering lesbiantomboybarefoot womanbathtubattempted murdervacation gone wrongdinner invitationcanadawalking into the camerafemale vomitspov camerasubjective camerainsulinknifeshotgunatticdinnerdinner with friendsbear

What Keeps You Alive Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for What Keeps You Alive across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


죽어도 살아야 한다 Lo que te mantiene viva Zabij i Żyj Что тебе нужно для жизни מה שמשאיר אותך בחיים 애인이 사이코패스일 때 나에게 생기는 일 Co tě drží naživu O Que Nos Mantém Vivos Какво те държи жива? Ami életben tart 週年忌 蜜谋逃杀 รัก ล่อ เซือด デーモン・インサイド

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Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


Other Names for What Keeps You Alive

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for What Keeps You Alive. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


죽어도 살아야 한다 Lo que te mantiene viva Zabij i Żyj Что тебе нужно для жизни מה שמשאיר אותך בחיים 애인이 사이코패스일 때 나에게 생기는 일 Co tě drží naživu O Que Nos Mantém Vivos Какво те държи жива? Ami életben tart 週年忌 蜜谋逃杀 รัก ล่อ เซือด デーモン・インサイド

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