🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Josh Ruben
- Genre: Comedy, Horror
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 44min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (5.4K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two writer friends get together in a cabin and try to scare each other with stories, but instead, they just reveal their deepest insecurities and one accidentally becomes a kebab.
🍿 Scare Me: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Writer’s Block and a Chance Encounter
Fred, a struggling writer, seeks isolation in a mountain cabin to overcome his writer’s block. He hires Bettina to drive him. He encounters Fanny, a successful horror novelist, who dismisses his attempts at justifying his writing. After a power outage, Fanny visits Fred, leading to a night of storytelling.

A Night of Scary Stories
Fanny challenges Fred to scare her, initiating a series of scary stories. Fred’s werewolf tale and Fanny’s improvised story about a creepy grandfather reveal their creative differences. Fred’s personal vulnerabilities begin to surface, disclosing past emotional struggles.

The Pizza Guy and Flaunted Success
The arrival of pizza delivery guy Carlo adds a new dynamic, with Carlo being a fan of Fanny’s work. The trio collaborates on a story about a troll influencing murder. Fred grows visibly annoyed as Fanny and Carlo reenact a scene from her novel, highlighting Fred’s envy of her success.

Confrontation and a Fatal Accident
Fred reads Fanny’s notebook and finds notes about his talent. Enraged, he confronts Fanny with a fire poker. A struggle ensues, resulting in Fred tripping and fatally impaling himself. Fanny leaves him to bleed out.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Fred (Josh Ruben): A struggling actor and writer who is insecure about his talent and overshadowed by Fanny’s success.
- Fanny (Aya Cash): A successful horror novelist who challenges Fred’s storytelling abilities and ultimately leaves him to die.
- Carlo (Chris Redd): A pizza delivery man and fan of Fanny’s who joins Fred and Fanny for a brief but memorable storytelling session.
- Bettina (Rebecca Drysdale): An aspiring writer who drives Fred to the cabin and ultimately profits from the stories he and Fanny create.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Fanny: “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to scare people.” – Fanny asserts her dedication to horror and disinterest in Fred’s validation.
- Fanny: “You need to weaponize your damage.” – Fanny’s advice to Fred regarding how to effectively write horror, using personal pain.
- Fred: “This is my process! I need the right candle!” – Fred defensively describes his writing process as Fanny mocks him.
- Fanny: “That’s not a story, that’s an idea.” – Fanny critiques one of Fred’s story pitches
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Scare Me Reviews
Personal Review
I went into ‘Scare Me’ expecting a fun, campy horror flick, and I got something much weirder and more interesting. Aya Cash is fantastic! The movie kept me guessing until the very end, and even though it wasn’t ‘scary’ in the traditional sense, it was definitely unsettling. The pizza delivery scene was hilarious, and the ending made me gasp! Definitely a conversation starter.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of horror-comedy”
- “Viewers who appreciate character-driven stories”
- “Indie film enthusiasts”
- “People who enjoy movies about writers and the creative process”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Drug use”
- “Brief violence”
- “Suggestive themes”
Professional Reviews
- IMDB: “‘Scare Me’ cleverly subverts horror tropes, delivering a unique, dialogue-heavy experience. The performances are engaging, but the slow burn might not appeal to all viewers. It’s more about the craft of storytelling than jump scares, making it a smart choice for those seeking something different in the horror-comedy genre.
- Bloody Disgusting: “Although technically proficient, the minimalist setting tests viewer’s patience. ‘Scare Me’ thrives on its comedic timing and relatable characters, however the ending is divisive and may disappoint those seeking a more conventional horror resolution. Despite this, it’s a clever, well-acted indie gem that dares to be different.
Audience Reactions
The creative storytelling and sound effects make this movie feel like an immersive podcast.: Viewers praised the clever dialogue and the exploration of writers’ insecurities.
The acting by Aya Cash and Josh Ruben is top-notch and carries the entire movie.: Many agreed that the film’s success hinged on the strong performances of the lead actors.
Overall Consensus: A polarizing film. While some find it a clever and engaging horror-comedy, others are left disappointed by its slow pace and unconventional storytelling.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot in Bearsville, a small hamlet just outside Woodstock, NY.”
- “Josh Ruben served as the writer, director, and lead actor for ‘Scare Me’.”
- “The movie relies heavily on dialogue and performance, creating a stage-play atmosphere.”
🖥️ How to Watch Scare Me?
Currently, ‘Scare Me’ is available for streaming on Shudder, AMC+, and through various digital rental and purchase options. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability, as streaming options can vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Scare Me, you might like these similar films:
- Creep (2014): A found-footage film that relies on character interaction and building suspense through dialogue and performance.
- Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010): Balances horror and comedy, playing with genre tropes and expectations for humorous effect.
- A Dark Song (2016): Focuses on character isolation and building tension in a confined space, although with a more serious tone.
- The Blair Witch Project (1999): Created a sense of dread and horror with a minimalist and realistic approach
- What We Do in the Shadows (2014): Comedy-horror that makes the most of a small cast, building humor from the interactions of the central characters
🛒 Scare Me Related Products
- Venus by Aya Cash (Inspired Novel): Inspired by the movie, this prop novel featured is sold as a journal with Venus inspired artwork. Add a touch of dark humor to your writing.
- Cabin in the Woods Candle Set: Set the mood with a collection of scented candles inspired by cabin themes, perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere while telling your own scary stories.
- Storytelling Dice – Horror Edition: Unleash your inner writer with this set of dice featuring horror-themed prompts, perfect for creating your own scary tales during a power outage.
- Professional Sound Effects Library: Access a wide range of high-quality sound effects to enhance your storytelling, just like Fred and Fanny in the movie.
🎧 Soundtrack
Scare Me features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Scare Me’ is a horror-comedy about two writers, Fred and Fanny, who tell each other scary stories during a power outage. The film explores themes of creative rivalry, envy, and the nature of storytelling itself.
‘Scare Me’ was primarily filmed in Woodstock, New York, utilizing the natural setting and cabin aesthetic to enhance the movie’s atmosphere.
While classified as horror-comedy, ‘Scare Me’ relies more on its comedic and suspenseful elements than jump scares or gore. Viewers who prefer character-driven stories and clever dialogue may find it engaging.
🔥 Bonus Content
Is SCARY MOVIE Really That Bad?
Ever wonder if ‘Scary Movie’ is *actually* bad? This video dives deep into why it’s so iconic, and honestly, it might just change your mind – I was surprised!
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