15 Most Terrifying Sci-Fi Movie Scenes Ever

In 2005’s War of the Worlds, while seeking refuge from the alien invasion Ray and Rachel Ferrier (Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning) take shelter with Harlan Ogilvy (Tim Robbins). But is soon becomes clear that Harlan is unstable, and becomes frantic after the basement they're hiding in is scanned by a probe. He starts to relentless digging a tunnel while shouting; “Not my blood!” Ray decides to ‘deal with him’, as he is putting them all in danger.

We are only given the build up to the confrontation, as Ray puts a blindfold over his daughter’s eyes, telling her; “no matter what you hear don’t take this off”. As Ray approaches, we are given a low angle shot of him looming over Harlan. Ray is completely in shadow, and it makes him appear as if he is lost in what he is about to do.

The door slams shut and all we’re left with is Rachel singing and only a few inaudible grunts from behind the door. The score slowly builds back up as the camera focuses in on Rachels face trying harder and harder to block out the sounds. Eventually the score stops, and we’re given a moment of silence before Ray re-emerges with a haunted and devastated look on his face.

This scene, like all great horror movies leaves the actual horror to the audience’s imagination. Which is what makes it so terrifying as our imagination will always be worse than actually showing us.