Research into Thriller Films

The Strangers - Opening Sequence 


The opening sequence for The Strangers Part One is located in the country side, filmed from a car driving through a street surrounded by hills. The shot shows different houses using a fade in and out effect. As the car is driving through you can hear a phone-call taking place as a non diegetic sound. The phone call is between a frightened young boy and a police officer, by the tone of his voice you can tell he is distraught and that something has happened. The setting then changes to the house in where the disaster has taken place. There is a panning shot used to show damage that has been made to a car windscreen, through the gun shot hole is two boys standing staring. There is slow music being played in the background to raise tension along with the police phone-call. A long shot is then used to show the two boys entering the house, then cuts are made to show a blood covered knife, shot gun and blood splattered on the walls. This immediately shows that there was a murder taken place in that house. 

 

Secret Window - Opening Sequence



This opening sequence is taken from 'Secret Window' directed by David Koepp and starring Johnny Depp. 
It begins with the sound of the windscreen wipers, we hear this before we see what is making the noise. This creates a repetive and rather sinister atmosphere. It then shows the main character sitting in his car at the wheel. You can hear what he is thinking as a non diegetic sound, he is having a conversation with himself. Debating whether or not he should return to where he was. His mind is telling him 'dont go back' 'turn around' this tells us he is unsure whether he should carry on going. His voice sounds calm and soothing as if ihe is trying to re-asure himself that everything will be okay. The way that the camera is angled is done to show the little emotion on his face, it also draws attention to his wedding ring. His wedding ring could then be linked to the situation in some way.
The voices then stop as he spins the car around and approaches the main door of a motel. The lightening in all of the shots is dark and dull, this goes very well with the cold snowy weather they have. The camera movements are all very fast as if it has to keep up with the quick decisions he is making. As he takes a room key he ignores the owner yelling at him and carries on with what he is doing.
When he makes his way into the motel, the camera movement is fast and un focussed this shows rush. When he is inside and has seen what is going on, with what seems to be his wife and another man the camera goes into slow motion and the picture and sound becomes disorted.
It then fades out and then fades back in to the camera going over a lake. The camera then goes towards a lonely house on the lake side and through a window, too the man lieing on the sofa. This is all one shot.