10 Best Jump Scares From 2024’s Biggest Horror Movies

After The Strangers made a killing at the box office, it was no surprise when the home invasion horror spawned a sequel. And even though The Strangers: Prey At Night failed to capture the magic of its predecessor, the fanbase was hopeful about the 2024 film.

Sadly, The Strangers: Chapter 1 was a massive disappointment - even more so, since this instalment is kicking off a new trilogy - bogged down by sluggish pacing, choppy editing, paper-thin characterisation, and forgettable action. Though there are a handful of jump-scares, none of them have much pay-off.

Except for one.

While protagonist Maya is having a shower, there's a long shot of her washing her hair. As she takes a step forward, the masked figure known as Scarecrow can be seen in the background, gawking at her from behind the glass.

Although most of the jump-scares in the film are overelaborate (including one involving an exploding motorcycle), the shower sequence highlights how the most bone-chilling idea can also be the simplest. If The Strangers: Chapter 1 focused on understated scares like this, it probably would've been received much better.