Hey there Cambridge!
Today I will be looking at film openings from three thriller films (yay, watching film openings are fun).
I will be looking at Knives Out (2019), In Bruges (2008), and Speak No Evil (2024).
I tried to make my research below as organized as possible. I left a brief description of the film, link to the film opening, my analysis. Then for more notes, I decided to include an article about the film opening's background and my notes on it.
Thriller #1: Knives Out (2019)
Description: Detective Beniot Blanc is hired to investigate the death of famous author, Harlan Thrombey.
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Film opening: https://youtu.be/Q1CW6zMlZaI?si=FilO937qIHjLOf_a
Analysis: The music is instrumental, sad, and at slow pace. The first shot is a low angle of a mansion. This is an establishing shot meant, not only show the setting, but the fancy, humongous house which Novelist Thrombey resides. Dark colors, dimmed lights, and clutter fills the inside. Numerous shots of close-ups are presented, focusing on the decor and details in the interior of the house (which can be described in two words: creepy & antique) as a lady brings Mr. Thrombey breakfast in bed. He is soon found dead with blood and a knife on the floor as he lays on a couch, and the lady drops the breakfast. At the end of the film opening, the music speeds up to reflect the suspense and tension of when Mr. Thrombey cannot be found and the shock when he was revealed to be murdered with a knife. This film opening was definitely meant to develop context of a murder case as well as establish a dark vibe and create some mystery. This was done by establishing the creepy, bleak setting and immediately introducing the murder in the first minute of the film.
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Background: Film Review: “Knives Out” Delivers a Sharp Comic Caper | Film Festival Today
Notes:
- Victorian mansion is ironically home to a mystery writer, Harlan Thrombey
- The shot of Thrombey dead makes the audience question: Who killed him? Is it a suicide? Who is the heir?
- Literally everyone is a suspect, including family members and even the writer's nurse!
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Thriller #2: In Bruges (2008)
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Film opening: https://youtu.be/7Js9c3DoJEM?si=mxGXggqDarA5nAhG
Analysis: The film begins with a fade from black to a low angle of tall towers and a view of the black sky. A close-up of a creepy baby doll in a room with little to no light. The whole film opening was close-ups, then long shots, then extra-long shots fading from and to black. Eventually, a murderer began speaking about what he did after killing someone. The last few seconds were two men (one of them being the narrator just speaking) who just arrived in snowy Bruges, Belgium. It illustrated them walking and arguing about being in Bruges. The handheld camera shot of them walking depicted their unsteady nature and anger as they are in a city they rather not be in.
Once the two men first appeared though, you can hear them talking but it is just a black screen for a few seconds. I like this idea since it lets the audience gain their own perspective of the two characters. Based on their rude tone, it is obvious they do not like Bruges and are miserable men. The black screen additionally stops the audience from making their own opinions of Bruges. Personally, I thought the snow and background was quite pretty, but the black screen forces the audience into a single idea: they are in Bruges and it must not be the greatest, most desirable place.
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Background: In Bruges: Cutting Edge of an Irish Diaspora
Notes:
- Melodious music and medieval architecture
- Features gothic styles, gargoyles, and bridges and canals
- Slow camera pans and tilts to highlight the beauty of the architecture and everything else being featured
- Ray is the murderer narrating; he has a Dublin accent
- Juxtaposition of scenic shots to an argument immediately cancels the poetic mood in the beginning to bring in some annoyance. It puts a spotlight on how terrible the moment is for the two men, Ray and his partner, in Bruges.
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Thriller #3: Speak No Evil (2024)
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Film opening: https://youtu.be/cEoT7lwWOGY?si=JuS1tZlBv87QuNRi
Analysis: The opening scene features the family's drive at night on a gravel road as they pull up to the countryside house. The shot is a medium shot from the backseat. You can see the silhouettes of the parents in their seat, as well as the child holding a resting face the whole time... even after the parents stepped out of their car. Then an extra-long shot of a bright green mountain-scape and the countryside estate appear, along with the title of the film. The music is a bunch of slow beats and a musical blowing sound. This musical choice adds a sense of calm and uncertainty which makes what to come feel very unsuspecting. This film opening is purposed to establish setting and tone. The landscape view, parents holding hands in front of the house, and calming music make the countryside home seem welcoming and peaceful. This is most likely to present the home innocently, like how the family perceives the house to be for now.
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Background: https://inreviewonline.com/2024/09/16/speak-no-evil-2024/
Notes:
- The dark shot brings up questions like: Who is driving? Where are they going?
- Haunted atmosphere
- All that is seen is the child's face, defining it to be most important
- The audience is immediately drawn to the child's face
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Reflection: Each film opening had a great idea, or creative touch. For Thriller #1, beginning the film with the main conflict is such a brilliant idea to build mystery! For Thriller #2, I loved the poetic tone and scenic views being juxtaposed with anger and two men bickering. It really set the mood for the film. Lastly, regarding Thriller #3, beginning with a whole other vibe is thoughtful to make the rest of the film totally unsuspecting. These are all ideas I will need to consider for my portfolio project, and it reminded me of how creative I should get to nicely set the mood of my film in my project. I really enjoyed doing this post as it's getting my creative juices flowing for planning!
More resources:
The 80+ Best Comedy Thriller Movies, Ranked By Fans
90+ Recent Good Thriller Movies, Ranked By Fans
Knives Out (2019) Official TrailerIn Bruges (2008) Original Trailer
Speak No Evil (2024) Official Trailer
All 3 Knives Out Movies, Ranked
In Bruges (2008) Full Movie Summary & Plot Explained
'Speak No Evil' Review: James McAvoy Goes Dark in Blumhouse Thriller
Citations:
Knives Out (2019). (n.d.). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8946378/mediaviewer/rm2569376769
ENT 4U. (2020, June 2). OPENING SCENE | KNIVES OUT [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1CW6zMlZaI
Macie 💗
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