Rob Savage Shares How Many Jump Scares to Expect in ‘Other Mommy’

Horror enthusiasts have been buzzing throughout 2026, sharing tales of trailers that made audiences leap from their seats. Among these, the footage for ‘Other Mommy’ has stood out, first showcased exclusively before screenings of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’. Since then, discussions surrounding its jump scares have only intensified.

The film is set to hit theaters just in time for Halloween, premiering on October 9, 2026. With James Wan and Blumhouse Atomic Monster producing and Rob Savage at the helm, the anticipation is palpable. Academy Award winner Jessica Chastain portrays both Bela’s mother, Ursula, and the ominous entity known as Other Mommy, providing a captivating marketing angle.

Savage recently revealed how many jump scares viewers can expect. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he stated, “Oh, like 50,” while noting that the exact number can vary based on one’s definition of a jump scare.

He also defended the jump scare technique, arguing that a well-crafted scare doesn’t necessarily adhere to the typical quiet, quiet, loud formula. Savage believes that creating an effective jump scare is an art form, regardless of what skeptics may claim.

The statistics are intriguing. With a runtime of approximately 80 minutes, 50 jump scares translates to about one scare every 96 seconds, a calculation noted in a post by didyoucatchthistv. While that’s an intense rhythm, Savage assures that the film isn’t just a barrage of scares. It intertwines elements of dread and larger set pieces, creating a sense of paranoia that keeps both Bela and the audience questioning whether they are seeing her real mother or the entity.

The storyline is adapted from Josh Malerman’s bestselling novel ‘Incidents Around the House’, following eight-year-old Bela, whose already troubled family faces a horrifying new threat when an entity emerges from her closet. Savage has mentioned that the film’s opening scene is directly lifted from the first page of Malerman’s book.

Initial reactions to the scare-heavy marketing have varied widely. Some viewers labeled the trailer’s opening jump scare as a potential contender for the worst ever, while others found humor in a moment featuring Chastain. Conversely, some were more impressed, with a writer from Dread Central predicting it could become one of the year’s standout horror films after viewing the trailer before ‘The Odyssey’.

Savage’s previous work has sparked curiosity among fans. Known for ‘Host’ and ‘The Boogeyman’, he has established a reputation for creative frights. Coupled with a cast that includes Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed, and Karen Allen, it seems ‘Other Mommy’ aims to deliver more than just jump scares.

The studio appears confident that audiences are ready for this experience. Some critics have even suggested that ‘Other Mommy’ fits alongside ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ as part of an unofficial 2026 horror trilogy. If Savage’s jump scare count holds true, viewers should prepare themselves, as the scares in ‘Other Mommy’ are poised to keep coming throughout opening weekend.