Jump into the History of Jump Scares

The first major film that we still have a copy of today (back then film preservation wasn’t as good as today) that features a jump scare of any kind is Phantom of the Opera (1925). You see the phantom’s mask get removed and we see his face as he looks at the camera. This wasn’t necessarily the jump scare we think of today since it doesn’t have the music swelling because it was a silent film. We don’t know what kind of music was played with it but allegedly people passed out.

Fast forward another 20 year to get the next version of the jump scare in Cat People (1942). It introduced the fakeout jumpscare and was actually quite effective. She’s walking along the street looking behind her looking scared. It’s quiet scene after scene and the tension is revving up just when a bus drives up and the brakes hiss loudly. This famous fakeout jumpscare has become known as the Lewton Bus after the producer.

The jump scare still didn’t take off but Psycho (1960) took it to the next evolution. The famous shower scene implemented a musical score to make it that much more jarring. The jump scare may be a bit overused today but when used effectively with a unique perspective it can still feel fresh. I know recently the trend has been the music building then going silent. One great example is Hereditary (2018). Charlie’s scene is more of a jump scare of what you don’t see….but at the last second you do. Love them or hate them I think they’re part of the horror genre forever now……..BOO!