10 Most Terrifying Jump Scares In Recent Horror Movies
1. Listen Closely - Smile (2022)
Adapted from the short film Laura Hasn’t Slept from writer and director Parker Finn, Smile follows psychiatrist Rose (Sosie Bacon) as she becomes tormented by an unknowable and constantly smiling entity after she witnesses a patient’s grizzly death. With only days left until this strange curse results in her own death, it’s down to her to find a way to break the cycle of trauma.
Although this horror smash hit is best known for containing some of the creepiest smiles ever put on film, this flick likewise contained plenty of genuinely unsettling moments that satisfied both genre fans and critics. One of the most effective, though, came while Rose listened to a recording of the moments prior to her patient's death.
As she plays back what happened, she notices something else within the audio file. She turns up the volume and replays the moment repeatedly, the camera getting closer to her screen each time. Consequently, viewers will also listen intently to try and hear what Rose does.
It’s at this point the film surprises both Rose and audiences when a woman suddenly appears behind Rose and screams her name.
By toying with viewer expectations, Smile gave audiences a heart-pounding scare that nobody saw coming.