10 Most Terrifying Jump Scares In Recent Horror Movies
5. Amanda's Demonic Transformation - Saint Maud (2020)
The feature debut from writer-director Rose Glass, Saint Maud is an atmospheric indie horror that stars Morfydd Clarke as the titular Maud. A pious palliative care nurse in a small seaside town, Maud is charged with looking after Amanda (Jennifer Ehle), a former dancer with stage four lymphoma. However, she soon begins to believe that it’s her mission to save her patient's soul.
As the film goes on, Maud descends further into a religious fervour, with her behaviour growing increasingly erratic as she sticks pins into the soles of her shoes and experiences hallucinations. It's only when she's dismissed as Amanda's carer that she's pushed over the edge.
Emboldened by her devotion, she dresses in a makeshift white robe and returns to Amanda’s home to confront her. But Amanda is reluctant to accept her spiritual help and instead questions Maud's own beliefs, telling her that nothing they do matters.
As Amanda is heard laughing while Maud breaks down in tears, all-out horror erupts from out of nowhere when Amanda's face suddenly distorts as she lets out a demonic shriek, shattering the scene's relative calmness.
After carefully winding the tension throughout this slow-burn chiller, Glass caught horror fans off guard with what was one of this film's only jump scares.