What's up blog viewers! Today I'll research and discuss three film openings of psychological thrillers.
Fight Club (1999)
F**** C*** has a very unique opening sequence which works to establish it perfectly as a psychological thriller. The very first shot is taken from the last scene of the film, following the convention of non-linear storytelling. The opening utilizes a blend of two approaches: developing mystery and introducing the characters. We are immediately introduced to the unnamed protagonist through the close up shot of him being held at gunpoint, accompanied by a voiceover (Narrating 'I') in which the protagonist gives a very chaotic and nonsensical exposition. This characterizes him as irrational and rather unreliable as a narrator, foreshadowing the plot's eventual twist. The opening jumps rapidly across three different timelines, creating unease and setting the rather nihilistic and cynical tone for the film. The opening uses a copious amount of close ups which feel invasive and claustrophobic. Notably, the hues shift from cool and dark, creating a melancholic sense, to neutral tones creating sterility and blandness, finally to a green tint creating a feeling of sickness and ennui. Mystery is created through references the audience does not yet understand such as Tyler Durden, Marla, and Project Doomsday. Overall, this opening is one of my personal favorites and serves as a perfect exposition to this film. I would love to find a way to implement some aspects like foreshadowing and jumping between timelines into my original opening.
Get Out (2018)
Get Out (2018) has an incredibly effective opening which builds and capitalizes on suspense proficiently. Most importantly, the entire opening sequence is a master shot, which immerses the audience into the events on screen and makes them feel far more realistic and believable. The opening misleads the audience, as the man in the beginning is inferred to be the protagonist, but as he is violently subdued and abducted the audience discovers that the film has much more to uncover. Mystery is created through the use of low key lighting which obscures most of the victim's background and the appearance of the aggressor. The audience feels compelled and forced to continue watching. Perhaps most effectively, the use of "Run Rabbit Run", a seemingly lighthearted song from the 1930's is used in accompaniment with the events on screen, creating juxtaposition and unease to the point of uncanniness. Clearly, there many factors at play which add to the overall suspense and horror of this opening.
The Shining (1980)
The opening to The Shining relies solely on the unsettling score to set the unsettling tone for this film. Without the score, the audience would be captivated by the stunning cinematography. However, the score creates a sinister sense, implying that something is not right, and a feeling of impending doom is created. The opening establishes the setting, drawing close attention to how isolated the environment is. The extreme long shots and long shots of the yellow vehicle emphasize how small the protagonists of the film are, foreshadowing how they will inevitably be targeted and victimized. The camera is almost like an evil spirit, following Danny and Wendy from above, adding to the sense of impending doom. Ultimately, while there are very few techniques at play here, the select few are very effective at creating a sinister mood and setting the tone for the rest of the film. In my opening, I would love to experiment with different music to develop tone.
Overall, the openings to psychological thrillers seem to have very few guidelines, but all work to develop the tone from the very first shot. Every choice is intentional, and some of the most effective I have found are foreshadowing and the use of a sinister/unsettling soundtrack.
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