Sometimes, it's not about atmosphere in a horror game — it's about the perfect time to ambush you with a jump scare.

Filmmakers, Foley artists, composers, sound designers, and editors break down the contemporary jump scare. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/YouTube and Universal ...

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 ...

Ghosts are known to go bump in the night without any warning. Perhaps that's why so many paranormal movies are haunted by jump scares. "Haunted" is the verb to use here because it evokes either ...

Victoria Caister is a journalist based out of Toronto. She's been a writer and a movie nerd for most of her life, with an extra special interest in the horror genre. One strong and divisive trope ...

MINNEAPOLIS — You've probably heard of a "jump scare"--a common trick used in horror films and haunted houses causing you to freak out. If you've ever experienced one, it's probably because you're ...

The world is full of sounds, and sound can affect us greatly. Some sounds are pleasant, like the laughter of a small child or a babbling brook in a peaceful forest. Other sounds are unpleasant, like ...

As part of Horror Week 2025, we sat down with a bunch of talented filmmakers to discuss the future of horror filmmaking and how the rise of immersive video might make frights and jump scares more ...