The Ruse

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2:05

The Ruse

R

Released May 16

1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

13%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

An in-home caregiver fears for her life after being assigned to a mysterious elderly patient in a remote seaside home.

Michael Talbot-Haynes

Film Threat

The Ruse is an excellent spooky diversion, like a picnic in the graveyard in the great state of Maine.

Rated: 7.5/10

May 28, 2025

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Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

Purports to be a thriller, but that’s a ruse: it’s so ponderously paced and clumsily constructed that it engenders zero suspense or tension.... Any viewer who’s stuck it out [to the end] will be either exhausted, incredulous, or both.

Rated: D

May 24, 2025

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Common Sense Media

This low-key whodunit has a pretty good mystery at its center, but it also has a listless quality and a distinct lack of urgency that dampen any potential scares or suspense.

Rated: 2/5

May 23, 2025

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Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

A barely serviceable low-rent ghost story that never quite rises above B-grade mediocrity.

May 21, 2025

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Bill Newcott

The Saturday Evening Post

A handsome-looking effort with appealing performances by a cast that seems ready, at any moment, to break the fourth wall and apologize profusely.

Rated: 2/5

May 21, 2025

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Grant Hermanns

Screen Rant

Stevan Mena's The Ruse may have a few fun twists in its climax, but the lead up is an overlong, poorly performed mess of clichés and red herrings.

Rated: 3/10

May 16, 2025

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JULIA M

Not a horror movie. Pretty good crime story. Lots of twists.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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Daniel T

Great thriller. Had me until the final act, and then it just got weird.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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Tom B

Moderately well done "thriller" / whodoneit movie. Good but not great.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

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Bobby H

A very clever thriller mystery. The plot twisted twice. Just when you thought you had it figured out it changed. Good movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

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Wendy B

It was definitely a thriller that kept you guessing till the very end. The scenery was gorgeous & the acting was good. I would recommend to anyone who likes suspense & mystery.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/17/25

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Jeff

Was an OK movie with a few plot twists & turns but got a little silly near the end.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/16/25

Full Review

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Stevan Mena

Director

Veronica Cartwright

Actor

Michael Steger

Actor

Drew Moerlein

Actor

Madelyn Dundon

Actor

Stevan Mena

Screenwriter

The Ruse: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

An in-home caregiver fears for her life after being assigned to a mysterious elderly patient in a remote seaside home.

Director: Stevan Mena
Producer: John Caglione Jr., Stevan Mena
Screenwriter: Stevan Mena
Distributor: Seismic Releasing
Production Co: Mena Films
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 16, 2025, Wide
Runtime: 1h 45m