Are there jump scares in 1899? A deep dive into the horror techniques of Netflix‘s latest hit

As a long-time tech and data geek with a passion for gaming, streaming, and all things digital, I was instantly intrigued when Netflix dropped its new horror series 1899 last month. This high-concept thriller from the creators of Dark follows hundreds of migrant passengers on a nightmarish voyage after their ship crosses paths with a second, seemingly abandoned vessel drifting on the open seas.

I‘m always fascinated by the techniques filmmakers use to instill dread and terror within audiences. So I was curious how 1899 would deliver its scares. Would it rely on an onslaught of cheap jump scares like so many modern horror flicks? Or take a more suspenseful, atmospheric route to get under viewers‘ skin?

After bingeing the series over a couple late nights, often with the lights turned on high, I can conclusively say 1899 avoids any jarring jump scares. For horror fans like myself who appreciate psychological tension over sensory shocks, this comes as very welcome news! In this post, I‘ll break down 1899‘s scares, explore the history of jump scares in horror, and explain why the show‘s avoidance of this trope makes for a uniquely unsettling viewing experience.

What are "jump scares" exactly?

For those unfamiliar with the term, a "jump scare" refers to an abrupt, shocking moment in a horror film or show meant to frighten the audience through sudden surprise. It typically involves the combination of a loud noise or musical cue along with a disturbing image appearing on screen, like a killer leaping out of the darkness.

Jump scares are designed specifically to trigger a reflexive, adrenaline-fueled reaction from viewers – making us recoil and yell at the screen in fear. Think of Michael Myers suddenly popping out to attack a babysitter, or a demonic face flashing in the frame along with a piercing scream. The effect is direct, visceral, and immediate.

A brief history of jump scares in horror

While shocking moments can be traced back through horror history, jump scares as we know them today arose in the 1970s and 80s with the rise of the slasher subgenre. Alfred Hitchcock deployed some memorable shocks in films like Psycho, but slashers like Halloween, Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street truly popularized and weaponized the jump scare.

The 90s saw the trope evolve through the emergence of the Spat-Cam technique, which has the camera rapidly zoom in on a subject to enhance the feeling of sudden intrusion. This decade also gave birth to the Quick-Cut jump scare: a disorienting barrage of imagery ending with a horrific reveal.

By the 2000s, jump scares had became a horror movie staple. The Paranormal Activity films took the technique to new, exhausting levels through sequences of prolonged tension punctured by a series of escalating jolts. More recent horror hits like The Conjuring, Insidious and Sinister have all deployed jump scares masterfully, much to the dismay of viewer nerves.

Why do jump scares turn some audiences off?

Jump scares may be great for generating adrenaline and screaming out loud, but they‘ve also faced criticism for being a cheap, superficial way to scare audiences. Rather than sustain an atmosphere of dread or permeate viewers with a deeper psychological terror, jump scares offer a quick sensory jolt that dissipates almost instantly after delivering its shock value.

Many horror fans and critics have argued effective frights should arise more organically from sustained mood, engaging plots and characters rather than just exploiting reflexes through sudden sights and sounds. For seasoned horror buffs, jump scares can feel like cliché boxes filmmakers tick off rather than displaying any real directorial skill at building tension.

Does 1899 have any jump scares?

Now that we‘ve explored the love-hate relationship audiences have with jump scares, let‘s get to the core question: does Netflix‘s 1899 utilize this controversial technique?

The answer is a resounding no. In 8 episodes, there is not a single traditional jump scare to be found. No deceptive auditory stings making you leap off the couch, no killer‘s hands shooting out from the darkness.

Reviewers praise 1899 for chilling audiences through "scene after scene of skin-crawling creepiness" rather than easy audio/visual tricks. Series co-creator Baran bo Odar stated his intent was to "create an atmosphere where you feel dread" rather than just shock for shock‘s sake.

In 1899, the horror arises more naturally from the show‘s cemetery pallor, bizarre set pieces, unnerving performances, tense score and intentionally discombobulating editing. The few scenes designed to shock, like discovering a child‘s corpse, achieve their impact through mood and ideas rather than sensory assault.

So how does 1899 build its sense of horror and dread?

While free of jump scares, 1899 contains plenty of nightmare fuel through its ominous atmosphere and bizarre mysteries. Here are a few stand-out techniques the show used to get under my skin:

• The gore-soaked ghost ship – 1899 opens with the haunting image of an abandoned, blood-drenched vessel adrift on the open sea. The visual design and unanswered questions create instant unease.

• Unnatural geometries – Much like creators‘ previous series Dark, 1899 utilizes disorienting architecture and optical illusions to suggest madness.

• Gruesome medical devices – Shots of primitive and experimental medical equipment add to the setting‘s sickening feel.

• Ominous symbols and writings – Strange occultish markings and unintelligible codes appear throughout the migrant ship, piling on the sinister implications.

• Haunting visions – Protagonist Maura is plagued by bizarre, frightening visions suggesting a reality much darker than it seems.

• Nightmarish shared dreams – Maura isn‘t alone. All her fellow passengers experience the same unsettling nightmares.

• Claustrophobic sets – From narrow bed chambers to the bowels of the ship, 1899‘s production design initiates claustrophobia and dread.

• Dissonant score – The jarring, off-kilter music keeps tensions high and constantly implies lurking threats.

Through its mosaic of menacing details, 1899 generates a sustained tone of gloom, anxiety and the uncanny without ever having to resort to obvious shock tactics.

Would younger viewers find 1899 too scary?

While not as overtly terrifying as something like The Haunting of Hill House, 1899 does contain intense moments of bloody violence and psychological distress that earned it a TV-MA rating. The show‘s nightmare logic, creepy images, and adult themes make it best suited for mature audiences accustomed to horror.

Most of the frights are subtle and arise from inner tensions rather than gratuitous gore. But parents may still find some visuals too disturbing for younger teens and children. The strange geometries alone may unsettle more sensitive viewers.

Overall, I‘d recommend mature high schoolers and above approach 1899 if they have an appetite for eerie historical horror. Just don‘t expect the usual array of jump scares and serial killers on display in most modern scary shows. The dread here simmers more slowly.

Why the lack of jump scares makes 1899 uniquely unnerving

In many ways, 1899‘s avoidance of obvious jump scares proves much more unsettling than any killer leaping out with a knife and shrieking violin. The psychological disorientation and sustained atmosphere of gloom are more likely to linger with you long after viewing than any quick auditory jolt.

Rather than releasing tension through predictable shock moments, 1899 keeps dread ever-present and escalating through bizarre reveals, mind-bending visuals and a constant sense of the irrational lurking beneath the ship‘s genteel veneer.

This Brand of subtle, understated horror demands more from viewers mentally than just reacting reflexively to scary stimuli every 20 minutes. We‘re forced to focus in and process story details, parse visual information, and detect slowly accumulating signs of menace that all contribute to the show‘s unusual but potent scares.

So if you think you‘d prefer your horror creepy and cerebral over shrieky and cheap, 1899 should make for perfectly haunting viewing this fall season. Just don‘t expect to ever feel completely at ease as the show‘s mysteries unfold.

Have you experienced 1899‘s unique brand of terror yet? I‘m eager to hear your insights into the horror techniques used in the show. Feel free to hit me up on social media to share your favorite creepy moments! And as always, stay tuned here as I dig into more digital filmmaking trends.