The Ruse is a home health care horror movie that adds a healthy dose of mystery. Dale (Madelyn Dundon) has taken a position as an in-home caregiver for an elderly woman with a habit of running off her nurses. Once a world renowned conductor, Olivia (Veronica Cartwright) now spends her days in a wheelchair and her nights in bed. Soon after her arrival, Dale learns of a ghost that supposedly haunts Olivia’s home. She initially dismisses it before a number of strange occurrences begin to happen.
The opening sets up what seems to be a formulaic haunted house story. The large home is lonely and foreboding and it is clear that Olivia can be a difficult patient. The nurse on duty is using her best bedside manner, but she seems to be worn down. As she looks out a window, something sneaks up from behind her. She screams and the next scene informs the audience that she appears to have left without notice in the middle of the night.
It is a familiar set up that sets the plot in motion, begins to build the film’s tone, and helps in subverting expectations. There are tropes in The Ruse, but it is more of a mystery than a horror movie. And it is this mystery that makes it so intriguing. There is always the possibility that there may be an evil apparition, but as the plot unwinds, Dale – and anyone watching -begins to wonder who can be trusted.
As with any good mystery, the pacing allows time to get to know the characters. This also gives audiences time to form opinions about Tom (Michael Steger), the too nice neighbor, and Jacob (T.C. Carter), the creepy grocery delivery person. But the standout is Cartwright’s Olivia. As Dale states, she goes between lucid and confused from one second to the next. Cartwright delivers a performance that makes Olivia frightening on a number of different levels.
The Ruse gets too twist happy in its final moments. The reveal goes on for too long and ends up becoming silly. It is like something out of a Scooby Doo episode. In an otherwise very serious movie, it stands out for how convoluted and ridiculous it can be. And after all the twists, it just ends. A very noticeable misstep in an otherwise good movie.
The Ruse comes to theaters May 16.
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