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Anyone who has watched a horror film in the last ten years should be able to identify a jump scare when accosted with one. For those lucky enough to not have encountered one, a jump scare is a basic trick that is used to create a moment of surprise or a moment that comes out of nowhere [1], within film especially in the horror genre. A figure appearing on the screen from nowhere accompanied by a sound such as a scream are prime examples of the now infamous jump scare.
Figure 1 - Gif of example jump scare from The Haunting of Hill House, Netflix [2].
Jump scares are described as one of the basic building blocks of horror and they started to gain major traction in the 1980’s after film such as steven King’s Carrie and the Omen implemented them in the 1970’s [3]. The 1980’s brought about the slasher film, such as the Friday 13th series, in which characters died gruesome deaths and usually had a jump scare associated to said death [4]. Why is the jump scare used? The jump scare is a method used to create suspense and to jolt the audience into a greater suspense, long suspenseful films with no payoff can be boring so jump scares are added to add tension [5]. Some critics have stated that jump scares are a lazy way to frighten the viewers [6].
In more recent horror films, jump scares have been tied into many of the different genres, thrillers, slashers and most usually phycological horrors. Phycological horror uses sounds and slow pacing to unnerve the audience , with a couple jump scares thrown in so it doesn’t become boring. Paranormal Activity was a found footage film which relied heavily on both jump scares and an unnerving ambiance, to scare the audience [7].
Looking at the graph below, it is easy to see when jump scares became prominent in horror films. The 1980’s used jump scares to add to the thrill factor in their slasher films. The audience would watch through their fingers to see what fate would befall the characters on screen, with the music and sound effects adding to the suspense before a quick jump scare popped onto the screen, making the audience scream or jump [4].
Figure 2 - Graph showing how jump scare use has increased from 1960-present [4].
That formula worked until the audience began to expect it. Looking back on many horror films from the 1980’s, while many are classics, there were many which are now laughed at for being too predictable and cheesy [8] . As time progressed jump scares were used less in the following years until 2005 where the found footage and torture porn categories of horror became prominent. Films such as Saw, and the Blair Witch project rose in popular media and so the jump scare made its modern comeback.
During the lull in their film use, jump scares began invading the internet. Internet screamers were a different take on the jump scare. Being predominantly sent through email or through messaging services such as MSN. Screamers were a seemingly normal video that then cut to a horrible image with screaming attached.
Figure 3 - Gif of one of the most popular internet screamers [9].
Meanwhile gaming had also started to incorporate the jump scare in big name titles, such as five nights at Freddie’s and Alien Isolation. It is found that some jump scares become important factors in predicting if players of the game would find it enjoyable [10]. The popularity of these games shows how being scared can add enjoyment for some audiences. Jump scares are often used in games and films to generate a reaction, designed around moments that will surprise or shock the player or viewer [11].
Figure 4 - Example of jump scare from Five nights at Freddy's, Scott Cawthon [12].
In conclusion, the jump scare has proven to be an effective tool to the horror film industry. It is much beloved and hated by the audience in equal standing but the popularity of the films that heavily feature them shows that they are effective. Audiences who consume this type of media have an enjoyment of being scared, from some studies shown it is women who enjoy the fear factor while being comforted by the fact they are in their own home, a place of security [13]. As technology develops and we can explore new things with CGI and special effects, I think we have a lot more jump scares to enjoy in the future. And I for one am excited.
References
[1] Muir, J.K., “Horror Films FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Slashers, Vampires, Zombies, Aliens and More.” Rowman & Littlefield. – 2013.
[2] “The Haunting of Hill House”. [Television Programme] Directed by M. Flanigan. Georgia: Netflix. - 2018
[3] Bishop, B., “'Why won't you die?!' The art of the jump scare.” [online] The Verge. Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2012/10/31/3574592/art-of-the-jump-scare-horror-movies - 2012
[4] HacShac, “Do Modern Horror Movies Contain More Jump Scares Than Older Movies? – Where's The Jump?. [online] Wheresthejump.com. Available at: https://wheresthejump.com/do-modern-horror-movies-contain-more-jump-scares-than-older-movies/ - 2021
[5] Rosenberg, J., “The healthy edit: creative editing techniques for perfecting your movie.” Taylor & Francis. - 2017
[6] Sullivan, L., “Horror games that don't rely on jump scares” | GamesRadar+. [online] Gamesradar.com. Available at: <https://www.gamesradar.com/horror-games-dont-rely-jump-scares/>- 2017
[7] “Paranormal Activity.” [film] Directed by O. Peli. United States: Paramount Pictures. - 2007
[8] Rabbit, R., “The Eternal Jump Scare”. [online] Medium. Available at: <https://medium.com/curiouserinstitute/the-eternal-jump-scare-79c6907a8c30>. - 2020
[9] K-fee, “Ghost Car” - Energy drink ad - Never been more Awake.. [Gig].- 2004.
[10] Villarreal, J., “On Jump Scares, Enjoyment, and the Dimensional Theory of Emotion: A Media Psychophysiology Approach to Enjoyment of Horror Video Games” (Doctoral dissertation).- 2020
[11] Bycer, J., “What's Killing Video Game Horror”. [online] Gamasutra.com. Available at: <https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/JoshBycer/20160804/278526/Whats_Killing_Video_Game_Horror.php>.- 2016
[12] Cawthon S., “Five nights at Freddy’s”. [Video Game] Available at: https://five-nights-at-freddys.en.softonic.com/ - 2014
[13] Pinedo, I.C., “Recreational terror: Women and the pleasures of horror film viewing.” SUNY Press. - 2016
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