18 Best TV Moments Of 2018

6. That Jump Scare - The Haunting Of Hill House

Haunting Of Hill House Car Scene
Netflix

The Haunting of Hill House reached its apex in episodes 5 and 6, first with a jaw-dropping reveal about the Bent-Neck Lady, followed by a monumental feat of directing and editing. But both of those work best as part of their whole, rather than a singular moment. For that, we have episode 8, and a jump scare for the ages.

The scene finds Theo and Shirley having a tense, rather unpleasant drive up to Hill House, their differences unresolved and lingering in the air. Director Mike Flanagan deftly handles this, letting silences fill up to almost unbearable levels, before unleashing his secret weapon: the ghost of their dead sister Nell, screaming through the back of the car.

It's both the perfect use of a jump scare, and the perfect example of the form: it breaks the tension, is completely unexpected, and, simply put, scares the s**t out of you.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.