YouTube is no stranger to taking down ads and videos people find offensive and distasteful, but this new incident takes things to a whole other level.
The Nun, an upcoming horror film from Warner Bros. Pictures centered on the Vatican investigating a nun's suicide. Obviously, the film's marketing campaign is injected with over-the-top attempts to freak people out, but for some, the horror may be too much.
YouTube Removes Jump Scare Ad For 'The Nun'
The Nun's YouTube ad campaign lets users lower their volume before a horrific image from the film pops up, accompanied by a shrill, piercing scream. It's the jump scare to end all jump scares, lasting only a split second but potent enough to induce nightmares.
In other words, the ad was supremely effective. A tweet warning people about the ad has amassed, as of writing, more than 150,000 likes and has been retweeted nearly 140,000 times. Many others have taken to Twitter to share their experiences upon seeing the ad, and they're not pretty.
The ad quickly became a viral sensation, although many users expressed that there should be an option to opt-out of horror-themed ads on YouTube.
"I shouldn't get nightmares from a comedic video I'm trying to watch," one Reddit user opined.
To be clear, YouTube doesn't allow "promotions that are likely to shock or scare" people, and the ad is a jump scare, plain and simple. As such, YouTube has officially removed the ad in question for violating its "violent and shocking content" policy. The teaser trailer remains available on the service, however.
The Nun
The Nun, set to premiere next month, is actually the fifth installment of The Conjuring franchise. Its ad marketing, while troublesome, is clever and effective. It's become a feat of brilliant promotion, as The Verge notes, taking full advantage of the Streisand effect, an internet phenomenon where people are more likely to seek out information when told not to. YouTube's removal only makes the ad more intriguing that it originally was. Now, people will definitely flock to see what all the fuss is about.
Watch the trailer for The Nun below, or check out the jump scare everyone has been talking about. The film is set to premiere Sept. 7.
Were you a victim of this horrific ad? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!
