Reviews: Scare Me (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Horror, Comedy
Subgenres: Cabin in the Woods, Comedy, Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller, Campy
Exploring Scare Me (2020) through our review, we cover its story, scares, and how it fits into the broader horror genre landscape.
Scare Me (2020), directed by Josh Ruben, is a horror-comedy that thrives on creativity and psychological tension rather than traditional scares. The story follows Fred (Josh Ruben), an aspiring horror writer who retreats to a cabin in the woods to work on his novel. When a successful horror author, Fanny (Aya Cash), joins him during a power outage, they engage in a night-long competition to tell the scariest stories. As the tales escalate, so does the underlying tension between the two storytellers, revealing layers of ego, insecurity, and social dynamics in the horror genre.
Scare Me (2020) – A Meta-Horror Comedy That Thrives on Imagination
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
What makes Scare Me stand out is its inventive approach to horror storytelling. Rather than using special effects or elaborate set pieces, the film relies on its actors’ performances and sound design to bring their stories to life. The film also deconstructs gender dynamics in horror, with Fanny’s confidence and success clashing against Fred’s fragile ego. It’s a satirical yet eerie reflection of creative envy and male entitlement, adding a psychological depth to the humor.
Acting and Cinematography
Josh Ruben and Aya Cash dominate the screen with their dynamic performances. Ruben’s portrayal of Fred’s awkward desperation and simmering resentment makes him both sympathetic and unsettling, while Cash is magnetic as Fanny, delivering a charismatic, sharp-witted performance that keeps the tension engaging. Their chemistry drives the film, making their back-and-forth exchanges both hilarious and unnerving.
The cinematography by Brendan H. Banks enhances the claustrophobic, theatrical feel of the film. The use of shadows, flickering candlelight, and expressive camera angles gives each story its own unique mood. Creative lighting and practical effects keep the horror elements engaging, despite the film’s minimalist approach.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Josh Ruben, pulling triple duty as director, writer, and star, crafts a low-budget horror-comedy that maximizes its concept. He leans into performance-driven horror, allowing the actors’ storytelling skills to carry the film. The film’s blend of humor and suspense feels reminiscent of Tales from the Crypt and Twilight Zone, with a dose of meta-horror commentary akin to Cabin in the Woods.
However, Scare Me is not for everyone. Its dialogue-heavy, stage-play approach might leave some viewers expecting more traditional horror elements disappointed. The film’s 90-minute runtime feels slightly stretched, with some scenes lingering longer than necessary.
Strengths:
- Inventive storytelling approach – Uses performance and sound design rather than special effects.
- Engaging lead performances – Aya Cash and Josh Ruben carry the film with sharp chemistry.
- Smart meta-horror commentary – Explores gender dynamics and creative competition within the genre.
- Effective blend of comedy and tension – Dark humor and suspenseful moments keep the energy high.
Weaknesses:
- Minimalist horror may not work for all audiences – Relies heavily on dialogue and imagination rather than visual horror.
- Pacing issues – Some scenes drag longer than necessary, slightly affecting momentum.
- Limited scope – The film’s single-location setup may feel restrictive to those expecting a more cinematic horror experience.
Final Verdict: 7/10
Scare Me is a clever, dialogue-driven horror-comedy that leans into creativity rather than traditional scares. While its theatrical, minimalist approach may not satisfy those looking for jump scares, its sharp writing, strong performances, and meta-commentary make it a fresh and engaging experience for horror fans. If you enjoyed One Cut of the Dead or The Cabin in the Woods, this film’s genre-bending energy and witty storytelling will likely appeal to you.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Scare Me Rating Scores
- Our Score: 7/10
- Overall Score: 6.94/10
- IMDB: 5.7/10
- MetaCritic: 6.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 8.4/10
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