Rufus [2025]
Lake Horror Review
by Scott Lake
“A man in the hood tells five disturbing stories to his family and friends, about a mortician working on the wrong night, a singer who learns about entertainment corruption, the future of adoption, medical malpractice and the cost of war.”
Alright, horror fans, I’m back with a twisted treat for MyIndie Productions’ Lake Horror Reviews, and let me tell you, Rufus (2025) is an anthology flick that’s as wild as a haunted carnival! Directed by Mars Roberge (Scumbag, Mister Sister, Stars), who co-wrote the script with Erez Majerantz, this indie horror ride dishes up five freaky tales of body horror, tied together by a charismatic storyteller in the hood. As a guy who loves a good genre mash-up, this one had me hooked, even with a few bumps. It’s got that raw indie heart that keeps you glued, and I’m already planning a rewatch to catch those sneaky details.
The wraparound story follows Rufus, played by Freeway Rick Ross (A Beautiful Hit, The Bad Boxer), a local legend spinning creepy yarns to neighborhood kids and his fed-up wife, Rah Digga (Thir13en Ghosts, Stars), who’s over his storytelling antics. The tales are a wild mix of body horror: a mortician, Stanley, played by Angelo Moore (Tapeheads, Punks), whose hands go rogue after a bad night; a newbie actress, Emily, played by Debra Haden (Scumbag, Mister Sister, Stars), learning showbiz’s dark side; a hospital drama with comatose patients Amos and Pini (David Scott Greene and Princess Frank); the quirky Dr. Saul, played by Spookey Ruben (Scumbag, Stars); a bizarre adoption tale with parents Alicia and Linda, played by Verona Blue (Bosch: Legacy, Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett) and Monique Parent (Lady Chatterly’s Ghost, The Breastford Wives); and war vet Roger played by Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds), cleaning up the streets in brutal fashion. Think Creepshow meets Tales from the Hood, with a low-budget, B-movie vibe that’s equal parts quirky and chilling.
The cast is a blast, with Freeway Rick Ross owning it as Rufus, dishing tales with a grin that pulls you in. Angelo Moore’s mortician is a wild ride, channeling Evil Dead energy, while Debra Haden brings heart and grit to Emily’s doomed actress. Spookey Ruben steals his segment as Dr. Saul, mixing oddball charm with creepy vibes—his scenes with nurse Ruth (Jennifer Drake) are a highlight, with Drake nailing the dark humor. Verona Blue and Monique Parent pack a punch in their bonkers adoption tale, selling the weirdness with straight faces. Jim Sclavunos brings grim intensity as Roger that’ll stick with you. Supporting players like David J (Night of the Templar) and Princess Frank add flavor, though some performances lean hammy—which fits the campy tone just fine.
Mars Roberge, pulling quadruple-duty as director, co-writer, producer, and editor, keeps the chaos rolling with a gritty, unpolished energy that screams indie passion. Cinematographer Cody Stauffer (Stars, Mister Sister, Reality Queen!) captures the urban grit and shadowy sets with a raw vibe that amps up the creep factor. The score, composed by Angelo Moore, is a wicked blend of funky beats and eerie drones, setting the mood perfectly. The Makeup Department was led by Bianca Parr with VFX run by Jeff Riley, Debra Haden and Josh Kirschenbaum and they do a great job, though the CG blood looks a tad cheap in spots. Production design was great, with sets transformed into a grimy, lived-in world, especially in the hospital and mortuary scenes. The lighting makes every shadow feel alive, especially in the hospital segment’s surreal moments.
Now, Rufus isn’t perfect. The hospital tale drags a bit at nearly 20 minutes, and some segments, like the war vet one, don’t hit as hard. The VFX can feel patchy, and the stories don’t always tie together smoothly, but for an indie anthology, it’s got heart and hustle, tossing in everything from body horror to dark comedy with fearless gusto. It’s not V/H/S-polished, but it’s got that indie spirit that makes you forgive the rough edges.
If you’re into quirky anthologies or B-movie madness, Rufus is a must-watch. Perfect for a late-night horror marathon with friends who love their scares weird and wild. Big props to Mars Roberge, Erez Majerantz, and the rest of the cast and crew for pouring their souls into this one. It’s a labor of love, and I’m stoked to see what this crew does next. Grab some popcorn and dive in—just don’t expect to sleep easy afterward.
My score: 7/10.
