A female metal band, Jump Scare, heads to a secluded desert cabin to write their next album—along with their roadie/driver, Dale. What begins as a typical road trip turns bizarre after a flat tire leads Dale to vanish into the wilderness and stumble upon a nearby “cannibal family” whose twisted domestic life hides something monstrous. One by one, the bandmates face absurd, gruesome, and darkly comic encounters—ranging from an exploding birth scene to a psychotic matriarch commanding her cult-like clan. The chaos escalates until the surviving women stage a blood-soaked, defiant comeback to rescue Dale and reclaim their power.

Visually, the film explodes with attitude: on-screen captions mark emotional states, and the editing syncs with the band’s heavy soundtrack. The result is a self-aware, stylized horror-comedy that feels as much a rock performance as a slasher narrative.

"Jump Scare is one of those rare horror comedies that knows exactly what it is and how to present it. Beneath the chaos and blood lies precision and aesthetic intelligence. It’s stylish, funny, and anarchic, with visual wit that turns violence into choreography. The film never feels derivative; instead, it merges the symmetry of Wes Anderson, the rhythmic wit of Edgar Wright, and the genre grit of Ti West and Tarantino—without losing its own punk identity. Despite the chainsaws, it’s not gross—it’s artfully grotesque, proudly cinematic, and unexpectedly elegant." - Lucy Hanna, SF IndieFest

Filmmakers expected for post-screening Q&A.

Co-presented by Another Hole in the Head.