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.

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Horror games don’t necessarily need jump scares or blatant frights to keep you on the edge of your seat. By embracing atmosphere, storytelling, and psychological tension, developers can create ...

Daniel is a 27-year-old List Writer for Collider living in the south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. As an avid film buff, he watches and analyzes many films and TV shows, especially in the horror genre ...

Fred Walton’s When a Stranger Calls features one of the most intense opening acts of any ‘70s horror film. Unfortunately, the picture meanders and loses its way in the second act, ultimately regaining ...

Kelcie Mattson is a Senior Features author at Collider. Based in the Midwest, she also contributes Lists, reviews, and television recaps. A lifelong fan of niche sci-fi, epic fantasy, Final Girl ...

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 ...