thriller film analysis

2. The Trailer
• Click here for link to the trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iaYLCiq5RM

3. Mis-en-Scene
• 0:12 seconds: We see the setting of film, it is on an
Island. This highlights a thriller as it creates an an
immediate mystery in the location of the film,
• Props: Woman saying ‘sh’ has chains connected to
her wrists – connotes that she’s dangerous.
• Makeup: Her bloodshot eyes may scare the viewer
– lets them in on what’s coming.
• Makeup: Blood and cuts on the prisoners’ shows
violence and danger show that prisoners been
mistreated, puts a little gore and scare to the
audience.
• Lighting: Low key lighting to make the audience is
to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their
seats and try to spook the audience. This is quiet
popular within thrillers.

4. Sound
• Another thriller convention that is used in the film shutter island” is that
they use a lot of non-diegetic sounds
• Non-diegetic sound is music or sound that is added into the film but the
protagonist in the film cannot actually hear this music or sound it is just
to add background noise so you know how the protagonist are feeling at
that time or to add sound so it gets rid of the silence before something
jumps out at the protagonist
• Non-diegetic sound is important in thriller films because it gets rid of the
quiet scenes so then you are less likely to know when something is going
to happen in the scene,
• also non-diegetic sounds can are also used in this film to add drama to if
there is a chase scene or if the protagonist is coming to a realism of what
is actually happening to him, this is important because by the tone of the
music or sound then the audience who are watching are more likely to
understand what the protagonist is feeling at that point.
• The Dialogue of ‘all I know it’s a mental hospital,’ gives viewer insight of
the film – reels them in. Secondly the Scream shows the pain of patients.
• Build up of the tense music when camera looks over the word ‘Run’ in
the book that the woman hands to Teddy. The music drops connoting
danger. In addition the thriller convention of suspense is created.

5. Camera
• Close ups of Teddy and prisoners faces shows
thescared emotions which makes a reaction to
the audience, as they will feel the tension.
• Long shots and a mix of high and low angles of
the missing woman’s room – shows the viewer
there was literally no way she could have
escaped, intriguing the audience.
• Long shot with a low angle when the inspectors
walk through a large, empty hall this shows how
isolated they are.
• End of the trailer, Teddy is walking slowly through
a cage corridor then a man jumps on him, the
change of angles from the scene with jump cuts
scares the viewer before the end, makes them
eager to see it as they will want to know what
happens

6. Editing
• The editing in this opening sequence is an important feature
because each individual clip conveys a certain cryptic
message. For example, the clip at 0.16 is a juxtaposition of the
other clips as the setting composition and lighting contrasts
with the rest.
• It shows clear, bright skies and illuminated surroundings
whereas, the other clips are extreme close ups of dark,
ominous objects or locations. It establishes the location but
generates a sense of mystery and suggests that although the
exterior of the location seems elegant and harmless, it
remains to have a dark truth behind the doors.
• The character who’s perspective is privileged remains
unidentified for this sequence as the camera doesn’t film any
one’s face at all. This introduces mystery as a common theme
in this thriller film and even represents the confusion of self
identity.