What do directors seek to establish in the openings of thrillers?

What do directors seek to establish in the openings of thrillers?

By Amber Mackenzie

The opening of a film is always there with the intention of establishing main factors regarding what’s to come, foreshadowing in a way. This is done through establishment of character, tone/ mood, location and many others.

“The Disappearance Of Alice Creed” is a great example of how character and mood/ tone are set and established. The character is greatly displayed through this single shot.

The symmetry between the two actors and their actions displays the organisation and methodical elements incorporated within the scene. It also gives the audience a sense that the characters have a lot of control. The element of teamwork also occurs here providing the sense they’ve known each other a long time giving synchronicity. In addition, the character on the rights curtain closes first which may hint towards a power balance displaying him as the more dominant of the duo. The fact this is used in addition to the technique using no dialogue and only non-diegetic music builds a cynical tone providing this dark atmosphere creating mystery as to what they’re doing. Furthermore, the characters are closing curtains which is literally removing the light from the shot. This may metaphorically foreshadow the non-literal dark themes that occur later on such as the kidnapping of Alice Creed. The characters are shown darker as they’re up against the light, this gives the audience the sense these characters are most likely evil and not to be trusted further setting this dark tone through mise en scene.

Character is also effectively set and established within this shot from the thriller “Se7en”. The line of items lets the audience know that the character is most likely a perfectionist due to the order displayed within the shot. However, this may seem so ordered as perhaps it’s the only element of his life he’s able to organise and this could in fact be the only way of which he can establish control and dominance that he may feel he requires. The items seem particularly violent which suggests maybe his job is also. It also draws attention to the odd item, the paper flower. The delicacy of this item in contrasts conveys there’s another side to this character, most likely more emotional and gentle. Furthermore, the dark background of the table within the shot may represent a metaphorically dark past for the character.

Essex boys is one of the most effective thrillers in terms of establishing the location early on, which is convenient due to its name. This shot has a mysterious vanishing point which makes the audience question where it leads as well as developing the element of mystery within a single shot. Furthermore, it leads to light yet the light seems to be trapped within the tunnel, light may display hope and positivity so this shot suggests such things are rather limited within this location. Moving along, there are many lights at the top of the tunnel yet many appear broken which emphasises the urban aspect of the location. By contrast the symmetry of the light we imagine before they broke suggests the city once had order and control yet it’s now, clearly, been lost. The shot is wide and narrow which almost traps the car within the shot forcing it to go through the tunnel further emphasising this lack of control in regards to location.

Furthermore, this shot is also effective in regards to established location.

The vertical bars across the screen give a sense of entrapment almost as prison bars would. This represents how the character is trapped within the scene by trapping him within the shot. In addition, the bars split him into sections which may represent his inner conflict and lack of clarity in regards to what he’s doing or even where he’s going. The bars also implying power imbalance between him and the person behind him displaying him as the more dominant.