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 ...

What is a “jumpscare”? Well, if you live in a home without teenagers to explain it to you, it’s the thing that happens when you’re watching a horror movie and some abrupt sound, image, or other bump ...

The effectiveness of jump scares in a horror movie relies on many factors, especially atmosphere. Just shoving a shocking image in the face of the viewers might terrify them for a moment, but it won't ...

Evan is a Communications student based in Edmonton, Alberta. Formerly a sports writer, he was drawn to Game Rant by his longtime passion for video games. An avid gamer since the age of 13, Evan has ...

Elena Chapella (She/Her) is a current Writer for DualShockers, formerly an award-winning journalist for local news stations and newspapers in central Indiana. Elena is passionate about writing, ...

It’s one of the most well-worn tricks in the horror handbook: An innocent victim is minding their own business, nothing happening, and then…something happens to make the watcher’s heart skip a beat.

Jump scares are a contentious topic in horror. Some people love them, others feel that they're cheap. It's an easy way to elicit a fear response, and sometimes, it can feel like a storyteller is ...