The Ruse is a new horror film written and directed by Stevan Mena, Produced by John Caglione Jr. 

Production begins May 2023 in New York and parts of Maine.

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

Hello, thank you for taking the time to check out this project. My name is Stevan Mena, I’ve written and directed several films, including Malevolence (2004), Malevolence 2: Bereavement (2011), Malevolence 3: Killer (2018), and Brutal Massacre: A Comedy (2008). 

www.stevanmena.com

My latest picture, The Ruse, is different from anything I’ve done before. It’s a frightening story set in a quiet New England seaside town. It’s filled with many twists, turns and genuine scares. I’ve spent over two years assembling the pieces needed to make this film, and we finally start production in May, 2023. 
 

Producer John Caglione Jr.

I’m producing this film along with John Caglione Jr., who is also doing all make up and SFX Makeup for the film. John is the genius behind the creation of Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker makeup in The Dark Knight. He also won an Academy Award for his incredible makeup FX work on Dick Tracy.

John began his career at 18 working as a staff makeup artist at NBC TV NY working with the original cast of Saturday Night Live, putting the tops on the Cone Heads and Soul Patches on the Blues Brothers. Moving from TV into Film in 1980, John was key makeup designer on Quest For Fire, which won the Academy Award for best makeup. On Manhunter, directed by Michael Mann, John was Special Makeup Designer and was requested by Mr. Mann to Department Head both Heat and The Insider. John won the Academy Award for Best Makeup on Dick Tracy, and has been Al Pacino’s personal makeup artist for over 30 years. John received a BAFTA Best Makeup nomination for Chaplin, and a BAFTA Best Makeup nomination for Woody Allen’s Zelig. He also received an Academy Award Best Makeup nomination for his iconic “Joker” makeup on Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. He’s worked with Directors Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Warren Beatty, Barry Levinson, Cameron Crowe and many more.  His resume is legendary, and the special FX makeup in this film will be extraordinary. I’m beyond humbled to be working alongside him. 

John Caglione Jr. on the set of the Dark Knight with Heath Ledger.

John Caglione Jr. on set of The Irishman with Al Pacino.

Cory Geryak – Director of Photography

Also joining us is Director of Photography Cory Geryak (Indiana Jones 5, Inception, The Dark Knight, Her). Cory is an amazing artist who is responsible for the look of dozens of iconic films, including The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Getting Grace, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and 3:10 to Yuma. 

Starring – Veronica Cartwright

The Lead role of Olivia will be played by Veronica Cartwright. Veronica is known for her many iconic roles in films like Alien, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Birds, The Witches of Eastwick, and more. She is also a veteran of TV, appearing in shows like The X Files, Gotham Knights, The Good Doctor, Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy and many more. She is an amazing, legendary talent, and we are thrilled to be working with her.
 

SYNOPSIS:

When an in-home caregiver assigned to an elderly patient mysteriously vanishes, Dale is quickly sent as a replacement nurse. Dale rushes to the remote seaside home, only to find herself in the middle of chaos.  Forced to deal with an unruly patient, mysterious neighbors, and terrifying supernatural occurrences that seem to plague the home. Is the house haunted? Or is something even more malevolent to blame? As the walls close in, unsure who she can trust, Dale fears for her life and that of her patient. But can we trust Dale? The Ruse is a complex, challenging story that will keep audiences guessing whodunnit until the final frame.

There are many great ways you can become a part of this project!

I have always loved discovering new talent. I gave Alexandra Daddario (The Mayfair Witches, San Andreas, True Detective) her first leading role in Malevolence 2: Bereavement. I also gave Peyton List (Cobra Kai, Jessie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid) her first acting role in a feature film. I hope to introduce the world to several more fresh faces with The Ruse.

We’ll be casting several roles through this campaign, so if you’re an aspiring actor, check out the perks we’re offering. Purchasing a perk bypasses the audition process. However you can also submit your headshot/resume to the address below.

While many, including myself, are volunteering their time and energy to make The Ruse, there are many technical and talented people involved who won’t accept a firm handshake and gratitude as adequate compensation. Our production scope has expanded (in a very positive way) and this has created a small gap in our budget. This campaign will help remedy our need for additional funding. Any contribution you make will go directly towards our production this May. All contributions make a difference. Those familiar with my work, know I wring every penny out of a dollar on my films.

Please help us reach our goal and get The Ruse into production! Thank you! 

Actors can submit a link to their Headshot/Resume here: theruseauditions@gmail.com.