Cheat

Name: Cheat
Released: 2023-08-24

Released 24 August 2023

7.2out of 10

No. 216 on the Scare Scale

Based on 1 rating

Trailer

Where to stream it

Streaming data from JustWatch.

On the surface it's believed to be another urban legend - a supernatural being from the afterlife is violently killing anyone who cheats on their significant other in the small college town of Silvercreek, Pennsylvania. But the town's unusually high suicide rate is finally convincing both locals and college students that everything is not as it seems. When Maeve - a female college student - sleeps with Charlie, the married man of the host family she is staying with, both sense the deadly curse is closing in on them. Unable to get anyone to believe them, Maeve and Charlie seek out a local history student to help find answers and figure out a way to defend themselves. It all comes undone, however, as several people are horrifically killed by the savage being - one-by-one at a rapid pace. Eventually, Maeve, Charlie and the few survivors band together in an attempt to defeat the monster once and for all.

How it scares

Each kind of scare is rated out of 10. Hover over a score, or use the info button, to see what it means.

Gore
5.1 out of 10,Strong
Blood, injuries and body horror shown on screen. Violence that happens off-screen barely counts.
Gore 5.1 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Bloody deaths and injuries shown clearly
- Happens fairly often, but doesn't linger
1. 1-2Mild
2. 3-4Moderate
3. 5-6Strong
4. 7-8Intense
5. 9-10Extreme
Creepy
5.4 out of 10,Strong
Unsettling images, atmosphere and things that feel wrong. Not sudden shocks (Jumpscares) or waiting for something to happen (Suspense).
Creepy 5.4 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Disturbing images and an atmosphere that feels wrong
- Comes back often, and some scenes stay with you afterwards
1. 1-2Mild
2. 3-4Moderate
3. 5-6Strong
4. 7-8Intense
5. 9-10Extreme
Jumpscares
4.7 out of 10,Strong
Sudden shocks designed to make you jump, usually a fast movement or a loud noise. Not slow-building dread (Suspense).
Jumpscares 4.7 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Regular jumpscares, often with loud sound cues
- A real part of how the film scares you
1. 1-2Mild
2. 3-4Moderate
3. 5-6Strong
4. 7-8Intense
5. 9-10Extreme
Suspense
5.8 out of 10,Strong
Tension and dread while you wait for something to happen. Not the scare itself when it arrives (Jumpscares or Gore).
Suspense 5.8 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- High tension that keeps you on edge
- Calm moments are short and don't last
1. 1-2Mild
2. 3-4Moderate
3. 5-6Strong
4. 7-8Intense
5. 9-10Extreme
Psychological
4.7 out of 10,Strong
Horror that gets in your head: paranoia, madness, doubting what's real and ideas that stay with you. Not how a scene looks (Creepy) or feels in the moment (Suspense).
Psychological 4.7 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Paranoia, madness or a story that makes you question what's real
- A big part of the film, and it stays with you afterwards
1. 1-2Mild
2. 3-4Moderate
3. 5-6Strong
4. 7-8Intense
5. 9-10Extreme

How the overall score of 7.2 is worked out

Scare weighting compares each kind of scare with other films, lifting what's stronger than usual and lowering what's weaker, so only the strongest get near 10. The Scare Scale score is the average of the three highest.