Cast:
Hannah Emily AndersonJackie
Brittany AllenJules
Martha MacIsaacSarah
Joey KleinDaniel
Charlotte Lindsay MarronYoung JackieDirector:
Colin Minihan
What Keeps You Alive (2018): Spoiler-Free Review
What Keeps You Alive is Colin Minihan’s 2018 thriller set in a remote cabin. It is tense, bloody and full of sharp turns.
The Premise
Jules (Hannah Emily Anderson) and Jackie (Brittany Allen) travel to Jules’s family cabin in the woods to celebrate their first anniversary. At first the trip is warm and happy. Then a visit from an old friend of Jules’s brings up a secret, and the weekend takes a bad turn.
Why It Works
- Both leads give strong, nuanced performances.
- The forest and the lake make a lovely setting for a nasty story.
- The script switches direction early and keeps you on edge.
At a Glance
- Director and writer: Colin Minihan
- Cast: Hannah Emily Anderson, Brittany Allen, Martha MacIsaac
- Setting: A remote lake cabin
- Genre: Thriller, horror
Verdict
A lean, mean thriller with a smart turn. It is best if you know nothing in advance.
- Who should watch: Fans of cabin thrillers and twisty horror.
- Spoilers: none. We never reveal the twist in this review.
Frequently Asked Questions About:
"What Keeps You Alive"
Who directed What Keeps You Alive?
Colin Minihan wrote and directed it.
Is What Keeps You Alive a horror film?
It is a thriller with strong horror elements.
Is What Keeps You Alive gory?
Yes. It has bloody and violent scenes.
Who stars in What Keeps You Alive?
Hannah Emily Anderson and Brittany Allen star.
Last updated: November, 2026
– Film details and cast information checked.







