This clip from Insidious ends on one of the most effective jump-scares ever in a horror movie. | Netflix

This is how the iconic jump scare from Insidious was written. Director James Wan says the secret to a great scare is not the noise, but the silence that comes before it. “Knowing when not to reveal details,” he explained, “is just as important as knowing when to.” His scares work because he understands tension. He lets the audience lean in, feel safe, and then removes that safety at the perfect moment. Wan also believes sound is more powerful than image. “If I had to pinpoint what’s more importa