20 Scariest Horror Movie Moments Of The 21st Century
6. Birthday Party - Signs (2002)
A birthday surprise that no one was quite ready for, this scene provided a surprisingly strong jolt given that horror didn’t seem to be much of a focus throughout M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs.
Humanity views first hand what exactly has landed on Earth, in the form of shaky home video footage of a kids party in Brazil. With a hushed, eerie tone set by a newscaster’s warning that “what you’re about to see… may disturb you”, we watch the video play out along with Joaquin Phoenix’s Merrill Hess, who inches closer to the TV set in fearful anticipation.
As the camera follows a crowd of children, chaotically shouting and babbling in commotion at a strange rustling in the nearby bushes, it settles on a narrow alleyway and zooms in. With the force of a sudden electric shock, a long-limbed and shadowy-faced creature strides across the alley and out of sight, briefly leering in the direction of the lens.
It’s the first time in the film that the aliens are seen, meaning we’re completely in the dark as to what to expect beforehand. The freakish, gangly appearance of the creature only intensifies the scene’s stunning effect.
Like an iron grip clenching around your heart, it’s one of the more shocking jump scares in a thoroughly unexpected setting.