A lot of the time you don't need to do anything special to make players paranoid.
But the odd "creepy" word thrown into an otherwise normal description can't hurt.
Commentary by memnarch (who has not seen the movie)
Hah, and here we see the GM's mastery with descriptions to set up expectations. There's no reason that there should be a deadly traps or even debilitating ones in a bar where patrons could easily stumble downstairs by accident. But with a few choice words about the appearance, Pete's started acting all paranoid again.
I bet that first 10-foot pole never shows up again. A collapseable staff would make much more sense to carry. Or maybe one of those laser versions will show up; we already had the silly laser crossguards laser sword.
Commentary by Keybounce (who has not seen the movie)
[Keybounce's comments will appear here when received.]
Transcript
GM: You watch Finn leave with the First Order agents.
Rey: Hmm. I’m definitely feeling a need for a laser sword now.
Rey: I head to the stairs.
GM: A stone staircase spirals into what eerily resembles a dungeon.
Rey: Right. Ten-foot pole time.
GM: You left it in the ship.
Rey: It’s the single most useful piece of equipment I have! Why would I leave it behind? Again?!
GM: The blaster Yanni gave you is easier to conceal.
Rey: Fine. I blast each step before I set foot on it.