Even the bravest horror movie junkie will jump out of their seat at these horror movie scenes. Do you recall any?
Fans of the horror genre (Asian horror films included!) will know that feeling of anticipation and edge-of-your-seat moment before a jump scare, but some horror flicks just never fail to catch us off-guard. This Halloween, we look back at the most OMFG moments in the last 20 years that are absolute scare fests. Fair warning: This article contains spoilers and some disturbing scenes, so look away and read our binge-watch round up instead if this is not your scene!
That unforgettable climax scene in Shutter (2004)
One of the movies that catapulted the Asian horror genre to Hollywood status, Shutter had some exceptional jumpscare moments, but the climax scene takes the cake. Right from the eerie background score to the moment the protagonist realises the ghost has been clinging on to him the whole time…chills, we tell ya!
When the demon witch terrorises the kids in The Conjuring (2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOgC_YUyTYs
Hollywood had a lull period in the horror department until director James Wan revived it with The Conjuring and Insidious series. His signature wide-angle shots, suspenseful pacing and close-ups that never shied away from ghosts (or in this case, devil worshipper and witch Bathsheba) got countless screams in the theatre.
The blink and you will (not) miss demon in Insidious (2010)
We know the drill when it comes to horror movies – ghosts/demon/scary beings usually pop up at night or when a character is alone. But count on James Wan once again to push the boundaries. This scene petrifies towards the end of the film, and in broad freakin’ daylight. We expected the demon to appear during the flashback but we so did not see that one coming.
That freak accident in Hereditary (2018)
This movie is so haunting, we haven’t allowed ourselves to watch it again (there’s only so much terror our hearts can take!). One of the most bizarre flicks in recent times, Hereditary has numerous OMFG moments, the first being the horrific accident that decapitates Charlie. “Did that just happen?!” Yep, it did. The distressing screams that follow are so painful to watch.
The bent neck lady from The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
Eleanor “Nellie” Crain has one of the most heartbreaking yet unnerving scenes in this Netflix original. Even though things unfold at a slow pace, we were shocked to find out that the “bent-neck lady” that haunted Nellie all her life is actually a reflection of herself. What a whammy.
That disturbing baby scene in Mother! (2017)
Let’s talk about this Jennifer Lawrence flick for a bit. There are many theories behind the psychological horror film directed (and written) by the eccentric Darren Aronofsky, but he took things too far by having a newborn infant brutally murdered (and eaten!) in a scene. Watching it was agony.
When we found out what’s wrong with Esther in The Orphan (2009)
It’s not really a jumpscare kind of moment but the discovery of Esther’s real age and her sinister motives were beyond disturbing. Reports of a real-life incident that occurred this year make it all the more disturbing.
The creepy lady in IT Chapter 2 (2019)
This is pretty fresh on our minds and even though the sequel is not on par with the first movie, IT Chapter 2 has some blood-curdling moments including Beverly Marsh’s encounter with Pennywise disguised as an old woman.
The nail scene in A Quiet Place (2018)
Look, we can do horror any day but blood or gore? Not so much. This scene had us gripping the edge of our seat – Evelyn Abbott is in labour but can’t utter a sound as demogorgon-like creatures that are sensitive to sound have invaded her home. What happens in the process? She steps on a nail… barefoot. Yelp!
