Scare Me

Scare Me

Year: 2020

Runtime: 105 min

Language: English

Horror

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Scare Me yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Scare Me (2020) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Scare Me (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

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.

At first, Fanny is less than impressed by Fred’s attempts to justify his identity as a writer, leading to their parting ways for the evening. However, the plot thickens when a thunderstorm cuts off the power in the area, prompting Fanny to visit Fred for some late-night company. As they share drinks, Fanny daringly challenges Fred to conjure a terrifying story to frighten her. Although his initial attempt falls flat, with Fanny’s encouragement, he spins a chilling tale about a young boy witnessing his parents’ grisly murder at the hands of a werewolf, growing up fueled by thoughts of vengeance, complete with dramatic sound effects.

Fanny confronts Fred about the predominantly white perspective of his story, sparking a revolt in him that challenges her to share one of her unfinished ideas. Fanny, in turn, improvises a gripping narrative about a girl who attempts to murder her creepy grandfather but accidentally kills his dog instead, leaving her haunted by both. In a moment of candidness, Fred reveals the emotional turmoil he has been grappling with since his wife left him, leading to a mental breakdown.

As the night progresses, Fred and Fanny begin collaborating on a quirky story about a troll residing in an Edible Arrangements shop who persuades a beleaguered secretary to kill her unscrupulous boss in return for extended life. Their creativity is interrupted when Carlo, played by Chris Redd, arrives with a pizza delivery. Fanny enthusiastically invites Carlo to join their storytelling session, where he admits to being a devoted fan of her work. The trio indulges in some carefree moments, including doing cocaine and reenacting Fanny’s story of Venus, much to Fred’s annoyance as he feels overshadowed.

Fred, now keen on sharing his creative ideas, offers a new story concept involving a singer who makes a Faustian bargain to gain fame on a nationwide talent show, only to be coerced into singing about chilling acts of murder. After Carlo leaves to complete his deliveries, and while Fanny is momentarily absent, Fred stumbles upon her notebook. Upon perusing its contents, he discovers that Fanny has been documenting all their stories alongside notes reflecting his insecurities about her superior writing skills.

In a fit of drunken rage, Fred confronts Fanny with a fire poker when she returns, leading to a chaotic chase throughout the house. The confrontation culminates tragically as Fred loses his footing and accidentally impales himself. In his last moments, bleeding and in agony, he begs Fanny to end his suffering. Fanny contemplates his plea but ultimately walks away, leaving him to bleed out.

The next morning, Bettina arrives, completely unaware of Fred’s fate as she stumbles upon Fanny’s notebook. In a surprising twist revealed in a mid-credits scene, Bettina has adapted the stories into her own book and enjoys newfound fame as an author, showcasing the unpredictable consequences of their night of creativity and chaos.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 21:13

Unlock the Full Story of Scare Me

Don't stop at just watching — explore Scare Me in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Scare Me is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Scare Me Timeline

Track the full timeline of Scare Me with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Scare Me Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Scare Me

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Scare Me. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Scare Me

More About Scare Me

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Scare Me: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Scare Me

Similar Movies to Scare Me

Discover movies like Scare Me that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.