Try not to let the fear of an upcoming jump scare bother you – just tell yourself that one is coming and stop worrying about it. The following steps detail ways to see jump scares coming, helping you anticipate scare. Instead of watching for these signals with dread, think like a filmmaker – ask “how do these effects work to build tension”, and not “when does the tension finally release?"[1] X Research source
Think of each jump scare as a horror director’s early “brush strokes” and you’ll be better equipped to handle them.
Note that some modern directors are adept at keeping the screen blank the first few times to lull you into a false sense of security.
Any scene that spends its time building or establishing tension will try and pay off in some way – rarely do directors put you on the edge of your seat but give you nothing to “do” once you get there. Be on the lookout for this rising tension.
Horror or thrilling video games are a great way to get used to jump scares as well, because they require you to not only react but also do something with your reaction (like shoot the bad guy) that helps you learn to stay calm. [2] X Research source
First is a scene meant to scare you immediately, such as the first victim or the release of the “evil” at the heart of the film. Second comes establishment of characters and locations. This is usually the place of the first jump scare – not the real villain or scare, but something to put you on edge. Third comes the first death or scare, while people think things are still “normal” in the horror world. The jump scare usually coincides with this death, if there is one. Fourth comes the worst/scariest part of the film – the bodies mount up and the characters slowly realize that things are not looking good. Expect 1-2 more jump scares. Fifth and finally comes the defeat of the villain (or is it?!), and this section is usually more action-heavy than the rest. There may be 1-2 jump scares, but they are usually easy to see coming.
Cinematography in horror films is extreme and artistic. Pay attention to the lights and common colors, crazy camera angles, and interesting jumps or cuts. Social themes are common motifs in horror, exploring what society fears through art. From Night of the Living Dead to It Follows, look for the real-life metaphors. Sound and Music are subtle but key. It’s been shown that sound on its own is often scarier than pure visuals. Anyone who’s ever been alone at night in a creaky house knows that, but ask yourself how the filmmakers are able to pull off this same effect in the movie. [4] X Research source
