Stevan Mena’s The Ruse: Trailer, Release, and Review Highlights
Stevan Mena, known for the Malevolence horror franchise, returns with The Ruse — a slow-burning psychological thriller that debuted in theaters on May 16, 2025, and hits VOD on August 14. The plot centers on Dale (Madelyn Dundon), a home health care worker who enters a remote seaside house to care for enigmatic elderly patient Olivia (Veronica Cartwright). Strange events and hidden truths soon threaten her sanity and survival.
The newly released trailer sets a tense, atmospheric tone. Dale arrives at the isolated coastal home but soon encounters an uncooperative patient, eerie neighbors, and unexplained supernatural occurrences. Is the home haunted, or is something far more sinister at play? As suspicion mounts, Dale’s sense of trust unravels and paranoia deepens. The visuals lean into eerie seaside landscapes and haunting interiors, promising a slow-developing mystery rather than jump scares.
Release Dates and Where to Watch
The Ruse, written and directed by Mena, premiered in limited theaters on May 16 and will be available for digital rental and purchase on VOD starting August 14, 2025. It is distributed by Mena Films in the U.S. and typically rated R for violent content and unsettling themes.
Critical Reception and Audience Reaction
Critics offered mixed reviews. Many praised Veronica Cartwright’s committed performance and the film’s moody ambition. Common critiques pointed to a muddled narrative and sluggish pacing, with one reviewer labeling it a “listless mystery thriller” missing tension. On Rotten Tomatoes, *The Ruse* holds a low critical score (around 13%) but a high audience rating (96%) based on early user feedback. Some audience members described it as a “good crime story,” though not strictly a horror film.
Stevan Mena Returns: From Malevolence to Mystery
Stevan Mena carved his niche in the horror genre with his debut feature Malevolence (2003), followed by Bereavement and Malevolence 3: Killer. With The Ruse, he shifted to a Hitchcockian-style whodunnit, aiming for psychological creepiness over gore. Despite the ambition, several critics noted the film’s pacing and lack of suspense diluted its impact.
Is The Ruse Worth Watching?
If you’re a fan of slow-acting, ambiguous thrillers with a supernatural bent, The Ruse may deliver. The film earns credit for ambition and casting, especially for Cartwright’s range. Yet if you prefer clearer storytelling or fast-paced scares, its disjointed structure and muted tone may disappoint.
That said, horror-seekers who enjoy unraveling mysteries built on atmosphere may find the film’s final twists surprisingly engaging.
