If you've ever seen a horror film, you've likely experienced a jump scare. A mix of cinematic build-up, sonic tension, play on expectations and intent to scare, the jump scare is a classic building ...

Everyone’s seen that “Relaxing Car Ride” clip—the one that looks harmless at first, with soft music and a quiet stretch of road, until a screaming face suddenly flashes across the screen. It was one ...

As Halloween approaches, it’s getting scary out there. But, surprisingly, it’s not as jump-scary as it used to be. Since 2014, the number of jump scares cranked out by Hollywood has fallen ...

What are the key parts to making any film terrifying? Some mostly say it's the suspense, atmosphere, or build-up; others might say it's the performances. But a major component, and one so synonymous ...

For horror enthusiasts, any movie that gets their hearts pounding like a racehorse and makes them jump from their seats takes the cake. Most of the time, horror movies rely on jump scares to inject ...

A defining component of the cinematic horror experience is the immediate, heart-pounding fright that only a great jump scare can provide. The abrupt onslaught on the senses can sometimes be viewed as ...

A well-executed jump scare gets the heart racing and makes you jolt with shock and terror. Many times, jump scares don't work because they often feel cheap, a way to ...

Alyssa Mertes Serio is a writer from the United States. She graduated from college with her Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications in 2014, and since then, has contributed to many digital ...