THRILLER OPENING ANALYSIS

 

In this clip, editing, camera work, sound and lighting all give meaning that the girl is in danger. In the opening shot, an establishing shot shows a girl standing in front of a funhouse - with a sign saying 'Find Yourself'. This is foreshadowing when you consider the context of the film (a family discovers there are clone-like copies of themselves who are out to kill them, and the girl's doppelganger is inside the carnival). The bright lights illuminating the building emphasise the darkness around the areas, isolating the young girl and creating a silhouette of her body. When it moves on to a close up of her feet, which proceed to walk away, it creates the impression she is walking out of the audience's reach, and walking away from safety. In the following shot, a slow zoom on the girl as she walks into the building, framed by the doorway, also leaves the impression she is walking away from the outside world, and into darkness.

 

As the character walks through, a tracking shot follows from behind, as she gets deeper. The pleasant diegetic music provides contrast to the building tension but also carries connotations of danger when it abruptly shuts off, along with the lights. The mirror props create distorting images as the girl enters the room, adding a sense of unease as it appears like someone is watching her although she seems to be alone. Once the music is gone, other diegetic sounds such as her laboured breathing, become more prominent. This has the effect of shared suspense, as the audience can't see the danger but it is clear there is a threat. The exaggerated sounds of her breath create suspense as it evokes a sense of anxiety for viewers. Furthermore, the echoing sound of her whistling draws attention to the silence and makes it more alarming when someone else joins in.

 

The mirrors in the funhouse, obstruct the exit and help create the impression the girl is trapped. It also makes it unclear which direction the sound is coming from. This generates shared suspense, as both the girl and the audience are unaware of where the threat is coming from, and therefore when the danger will strike. Adding to this, the mirrors create illusions of the girl in every direction. This is threatening, as the audience knows by this point in the plot the threat is likely coming from the Doppel-ganger of the girl. The low key lighting also makes it hard to see in the background, heightening the tension. The girl's dark dress also has the same effect, as the second girl is wearing the same clothing and this helps conceal her in the darkness. This makes the effect more startling when the girl's 'reflection' doesn't turn around as she does, and the audience becomes aware of the second girl in the room.