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Horror film

Scare Me (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Scare Me (2020) movie poster

Scare Me is a 2020 horror film starring Josh Ruben as Fred, Rebecca Drysdale and Aya Cash. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
Echo Score
80
Metascore
66
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Scare Me (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Studio
Shudder
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Scare Me About?

The premise of Scare Me without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During a winter getaway, a copywriter finds himself in a tense competition with a horror author. As a storm isolates them, the two men engage in storytelling contests, each trying to outdo the other with increasingly disturbing tales. The rivalry pushes one man to confront his insecurities and deepest fears, blurring the lines between reality and imagination as they try to unsettle each other.

Scare Me Themes & Keywords

· 41 tags
  • telling scary stories
  • writer
  • cabin in the woods
  • no opening credits
  • isolation
  • fireplace poker
  • written by director
  • title appears in writing
  • anthology
  • title spoken by character
  • power
  • pizza delivery man
+29 more
  • pizza
  • cocaine
  • reference to liza minnelli
  • reference to james cameron
  • reference to moses
  • reference to korah
  • drinking beer from a bottle
  • reference to fresh air npr
  • jack nicholson impression
  • power outage
  • building a fire
  • attic
  • reference to to uta thyra hagen
  • flashlight
  • reference to stanley tucci
  • reference to benjamin franklin
  • reference to huey lewis
  • soup
  • poisoned food
  • reference to amazon.com
  • reference to the new york times
  • reference to the catskills
  • bondage
  • camping
  • dog
  • dog owner
  • rottweiler
  • dog runs away
  • reference to kmart
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Cast & crew

Scare Me Cast & Characters

Josh Ruben leads the cast as Fred, with Rebecca Drysdale as Bettina and Aya Cash as Fanny.

Also Starring in Scare Me

· 1 more
Ratings

Scare Me Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Scare Me 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

80 /100

Scare Me Echo Score Breakdown

Scare Me delivers a solid blend of meta-humor and thematic depth underpinned by confident technical execution. Reviews highlight the film’s inventive dialogue-driven structure and sharper insights into creative competition, though they also note occasional pacing irregularities and a tendency toward narrative bloat. The production’s minimalistic visuals and dynamic sound design contribute to its distinct atmosphere, supported by committed performances from the leads. While engagement remains strong for genre enthusiasts, some viewers may find repeated viewings reveal narrative shortcomings. Overall, Scare Me achieves an engaging though imperfect horror-comedy experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of Art & Craft, Scare Me demonstrates confident direction and purposeful visual composition. Critics note the film’s effective use of lighting and camera movement to sustain tension, while the pared-back production design complements its dialogue-centric approach. Editing choices reinforce the anthology feel, although some viewers mention minor unevenness in scene transitions. Overall, the film’s technical assurance and stylistic cohesiveness underscore its craft-driven identity.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, Scare Me benefits from strong lead performances and clear on-screen chemistry. Observers applaud the actors’ ability to convey nuanced tension through conversational storytelling and to infuse humor into dramatic moments. However, a few criticisms point to limited character development beyond the central duo’s dynamic. Ultimately, the film’s emotional resonance remains anchored by its committed cast.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of Story & Flow, Scare Me offers a clever meta-commentary on horror conventions and thematic exploration of creativity. The film’s anthology-style structure and unexpected twists receive praise for originality, though critics and some viewers highlight mid-film bloat and occasional narrative disjointedness. Pacing dips in the central segments may challenge sustained engagement. Despite these flaws, the overarching concept maintains a playful momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Regarding Sensory Experience, Scare Me makes notable use of sound design and minimalist visual styling to create atmosphere. Observers commend the film’s dynamic audio cues and selective score interventions for heightening tension, while the restrained color palette supports its intimate setting. Some viewers, however, find the overall atmosphere less impactful on subsequent viewings. Nevertheless, the sensory elements largely reinforce its genre blend.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Concerning Rewatch Factor, Scare Me’s inventive premise and meta-humor offer potential for repeat viewings among devoted genre fans. The film’s layered dialogue and thematic undercurrents encourage deeper analysis, although pacing inconsistencies and narrative brevity may limit broader lasting appeal. As a result, the movie sustains moderate replay value primarily for audiences intrigued by its conceptual framework.

Plot

Scare Me Plot Summary

What happens in Scare Me from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Fred, portrayed by Josh Ruben, is a struggling actor and writer who escapes to a secluded mountain cabin in hopes of finding inspiration away from the distractions of the world. To help facilitate his writing journey, he enlists the assistance of Bettina, played by Rebecca Drysdale, who drives him to and from the cabin. Unfortunately, Fred is plagued by writer’s block, and during one of his runs, he serendipitously encounters Fanny, enacted by Aya Cash, the talented author behind the acclaimed horror novel Venus, who is also staying nearby.

Full summary

The whole story of Scare Me, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Scare Me Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

Scare Me - Official Trailer [HD] | A Shudder Original
  • Teaser SCARE ME Official Teaser Trailer [HD] | A Shudder Original
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Scare Me?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What brings Fred to the remote cabin?

Cars

Cars in Scare Me

15 cars on screen, including the 2016 Honda Civic and the 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale.

All 15 cars
  • 2016 Honda Civic in Scare Me 2016 Honda Civic Important role
  • 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale in Scare Me 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Important role
  • 1995 Volvo 850 in Scare Me 1995 Volvo 850 Important role
  • 2018 Dodge Challenger in Scare Me 2018 Dodge Challenger Minor role
Details

Scare Me Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “鬼話對決” and “吓我一跳”.

Also known as
  • 鬼話對決
  • 吓我一跳
  • Напугай меня
  • 스케어 미
  • Me Assuste
  • Asústame
  • Korkut Beni!
  • הפחד אותי

Seen Scare Me?

FAQ

Scare Me FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Scare Me, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Scare Me?

Scare Me runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Scare Me released?

Scare Me was released on October 1, 2020.

Who is in the cast of Scare Me?

Scare Me stars Josh Ruben as Fred, Rebecca Drysdale as Bettina and Aya Cash as Fanny, among 5 credited actors.

How is Scare Me rated?

Scare Me has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does Scare Me have a post-credit scene?

No. Scare Me has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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