The backrooms are a fictional setting that has become popular online, especially on forums like Reddit and YouTube. The backrooms are described as endless maze-like rooms and corridors filled with monotony and occasional danger. A common question that gets asked about the backrooms is whether they contain jumpscares.
What are jumpscares?
A jumpscare is something in horror media that is meant to abruptly frighten or surprise the audience by suddenly changing the image or sound. Jumpscares are often used in horror films, video games, creepypastas, and other horror-related content. They are meant to elicit a reaction of fear or shock from the viewer or player.
Some common examples of jumpscares include:
- A monster suddenly popping up on screen or lunging at the camera
- A loud, shrill noise playing unexpectedly
- The image quickly cutting to something scary and disturbing
- A character being suddenly attacked or killed on screen
Jumpscares tend to work by taking advantage of the audience’s tensions and uncertainties in anticipating something frightening might happen. The suddenness of the scare is what startles people.
The nature of the backrooms
The backrooms are not a single story or creation with defined rules, but rather a collaborative creative concept people add to. There is room for interpretation in how individual creators depict the backrooms in their own work. However, there are some common traits that help define the general nature of the backrooms:
- Endless, maze-like rooms and corridors with similar monotonous aesthetics
- Flickering, buzzing fluorescent lights
- Dirty, damp carpets and peeling wallpaper
- Occasional strange noises or sights
- A sense of being watched or followed
- Dangerous entities that may attack those who wander
Overall, the backrooms are meant to evoke feelings of unease, confusion, isolation, and eventual horror the deeper one goes into the endless depths. The environment itself is the biggest constant threat rather than direct jumpscares.
Use of jumpscares in backrooms media
Since the backrooms themselves are inherently unnerving, most media based on exploring the concept focuses on building sustained feelings of tension and fear rather than using abrupt jumpscares. The atmosphere and mystery of this unknowable setting creates enough dread without needing sudden shocking moments.
That said, some backrooms media does contain jumpsacres as additional elements:
- Backrooms found footage style YouTube videos may add audio or visual distortions to briefly shock viewers.
- Backrooms video games could potentially have enemies that attack unexpectedly.
- Some online tales feature characters encountering unsettling entities or events within the backrooms that provide shocks.
So jumpscares are not completely absent from media based on the backrooms concept. But they tend to be used sparingly and secondarily to the core disturbing nature of the endless rooms. Sudden isolated scares are not the driving force behind most depictions of the backrooms themselves.
Why jumpscares are often avoided
There are a few key reasons why outright jumpscares tend to be avoided in backrooms media:
- Sustained tension – The ever-present unease of the setting builds tension more effectively than repeated shocks.
- Original concept – Jumpscares weren’t part of the original idea that spread online.
- Would feel forced – They could disrupt the immersive atmosphere if not done carefully.
- Diminishing returns – Jumpscares lose impact with overuse in longer content.
Relying on lots of jumpscares takes away from the inherently unsettling nature of the backrooms themselves. Creators likely want to do justice to the original concept instead of using cliche scare tactics.
When jumpscares could work
Though generally avoided, some selective and strategic use of jumpscares could potentially work in backrooms media:
- Occasional auditory distortions in found footage to reflect dangerous entities.
- Discovery of an especially disturbing sight after a period of building tension.
- A false sense of security broken by a sudden chase from an entity.
- Transition into a more intense and frightening new section of the backrooms.
Moments like these that reflect escalating danger and confusion in the maze-like setting could justify sparing use of jumpscares. A few well-timed jolts amidst an already unsettling atmosphere.
Conclusion
In summary, jumpscares tend to be avoided in most backrooms media. The endless ominous rooms and halls provide enough sustained fear on their own through their surreal, isolating nature. Sudden graphic or auditory shocks could detract from the original tone if overused. However, some selective unnerving surprises can accentuate the tension when used judiciously by creators. So while not completely absent, jumpscares are generally a secondary element in the mysterious, disorienting terror of the backrooms themselves.