15 Most Terrifying Horror Film Moments Of The Decade (So Far)

3. The Tall Man (It Follows)

It Follows relies on two terrifying thoughts: being haunted by something that nobody else can see, and the idea that the evil could be anyone. That means that Jay can never be sure that any given stranger she sees isn't the monster. It also feels so hopeless because in most of these movies, the characters can at least share their fear with one another, but none of Jay's friends can possibly understand what she's going through. 

This scene from the film's first act best encapsulates all those emotions. At this point, Jay has just encountered the creature in her kitchen in disguise as a strange woman, and so she's retreated to her room in fear. Her friends are trying to convince her everything's okay and there's nobody out there, because of course they don't see what she does. Although Jay objects, her friend Yara is let into the room, and she assures her that everything's okay and nothing's out there. Suddenly, a tall man with dark eyes walks in from behind Yara coming straight at Jay. 

It works so well for a few reasons, the primary one being that nobody else but Jay reacts. This creature's disguise is so good that it can just stroll in, come right towards you ready to strike, and all your loved ones will have no idea you're about to die.