Jump Scares in Dressed to Kill (1980)

See below for the exact times and descriptions of the 5 jump scares in Dressed to Kill, which has a jump scare rating of 2.0.

Jump Scare Rating: Even though the title tips its hat to traditional horror, Dressed to Kill is straight up Hitchcockian noir. The plot’s two-art act mirrors Psycho to perfection. Complete with shower scene! Filmed at a time when the horror genre was diverting from traditional slasher and zombie films, director Brian De Palma touched on a taboo theme (for the times) and charged it full of sexual electricity. The magnificent score from Pino Donaggio compliments Ralf D. Bode’s cinematography to a T. Dressed To Kill is a visual scare feast of 80’s cinematic suspense horror excellence.

Synopsis: When handsome, caring psychiatrist Dr. Robert Elliott finds his professional practice upended by a mysterious transsexual named Bobbi, carnally-minded wife Kate, and mouthy high-priced call girl Liz, the “therapy” becomes toxic, and the diagnosis and treatment come with grisly results.

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Jump Scare Times

The jump scare timings listed below are based on a theatrical viewing and are approximate only.

00:04:00 – A man grabs Kate from behind in the shower while she fantasizes about her husband.

00:33:46 – As the elevator door opens Kate comes face to face with a blonde woman wielding a razor.

01:00:00 – Liz glances up to see a woman watching her with binoculars and quickly get into a taxi.

01:07:55 – Liz runs frantically through a moving subway car to avoid an angry gang. As she struggles to close a door connecting two trains, a shiny razorblade appears in the window next to her head. She is grabbed and attacked!

01:42:25 – Liz emerges from the shower horrified to see someone standing just outside the bathroom door. She slowly walks to the medicine cabinet for a straight razor. Closing the mirror, the murderer appears in the reflection behind her, the film jump cuts to empty shoes, and Liz screaming.

(Major jump scares in bold)

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