The 'jump scare' is often dismissed by film critics as a cheap parlor trick—the cinematic equivalent of someone sneaking up behind you and yelling 'Boo!' However, when executed correctly, it is a brilliant release valve for carefully constructed tension.
We trace the evolution of the technique from its subtle origins in 1940s psychological thrillers to the deafening, bass-heavy digital assaults of modern supernatural horror, separating the lazy edits from the masterful shocks.