Thriller Opening Analysis (Gothika, The Book of Eli, Brick)

Gothika (2003)

At the very beginning of Gothika everything seems to be in a dark, blue hue - even the company logos (Columbia Pictures). Blue conventionally represents sadness, calm and cold - since the blue is dark I would assume the main representation is mean to be sorrow/eerie-ness. Once the credits begin we see that they are out of focus and are then brought in to focus, which I percieve as a kind of foreboding of events to come - perhaps something happens that is unclear or distorted to us and the characters in the film. Also, there is a double bass in the background which is also associated with sadness. When the scene opens, we are met with two figures. One looks worn and pale, perhaps unhealthy, and the other looks groomed and calm. The camera shots at the beginning (reverse) only shows one of their faces' at a time- making them seem more divided or seperated. Through speech, appearance and camera shots they almost seem like they are isolated in their own worlds from one another. We also see that they are surrounded by fences or bars- classic iconography of a thriller that gives a sense of entrapment. Throughout the scene the camera is often passing these bars, and 'looking' at the characters through them- which makes the viewer feel like they are intruding upon a perhaps intimate or private conversation. The entire scene is also generally shadowy and dark, which gives an eerie feel and a sense of the unknown (also a popular thriller convention).



The Book of Eli (2010)

The beginning of The Book of Eli starts off with an eerie and isolated feeling. We can hear the sound of a wind blowing (in perhaps a barren/lonely place) before we can even see the first shot. When the first shot does open to a wood, there is a short and deep bass sound that's fairly loud and almost makes you jump or feel like your heart is pounding. The trees we see almost look like bars forming a cage, furthering the sense of isolation and no escape. Music is also building in the background all the while, partnering the building anticipation. The camera pans the floor of the wood, we're met with a gun and a body- we perceive death and violence. There are also slightly out of place parts to the scene; the ash that's falling from the sky as well as the domestic-looking cat that walks along and sniffs/nibbles the body. This adds an unknown element to the scene, as does the man in the gas mask as we cannot see his face. It makes the viewer as continuing questions in their mind about what is going on/will happen/has happened. The character in the gas mask also appears to be camped and waiting for something, or watching for something/someone - therefore a sense of voyeurism is also felt. As this character pulls back an arrow to supposedly kill this cat that has come along, the music continues to build - the character then laughs and it appears to be an anti-climax. However, the audience is fooled and a very strong sounding arrow is released to kill the cat. This also has the effect of surprise on the audience and is quite alarming with the obtrusive sound (perhaps this is foreshadowing twists and turns of events?). Also, the arrow is followed in slow motion - giving us a sense of direction of where it's going and making it more dramatic or significant. Once again, the scene is extremely dark and has a blue hue - which makes the atmosphere cold and uninviting, as if there is no time for emotion or kindness (like war? - linking to the gasm mask/army tent/etc).


Brick (2005)

The music at the beginning of Brick (xylophone? + acoustic guitar) is almost calming but sad, as oppose to something that builds suspense. We are met with what seems to be a part further on in the film chronologically, a sad event (assumed death). It fits in well with the blue hue we are first given, which gives an image and atmosphere of sorrow and accident. We can see running water and a dark tunnel, rather popular iconography associated with thrillers and helping to emphasise the possibility of death and that there is a sense of the unknown. The male character we see is wearing glasses, often associated with a character of intelligence and his facial expression appears to be sad as well as though his mind is trying to make sense of the situation. At the beginning, as the camera pans the first part we see of the man is his feet, and the camera often goes back to soley film this (as he walks to his locker, etc). For the female character, her braclet is the focus - which also lets the audience know it is the same girl that put the note in his locker that is supposedly dead. I interpreted this as his feet are his sort of symbol or focus, and the braclet is hers- this could represent that he is chasing or trying to reach her as well as what has happened to her (physically and mentally in pursuit). Moving onto further in the opening, there is a great sense of isolation centered around the man- there a few people seen at the school or along the road, etc. The phone booth is also a confined space, which could represent that this character is trapped by something (not neccessarily physical). When the dark car drives past, a cigarette is tossed out of the window- a cigarette is linked with smoke and fire; danger, or a trail to follow (no smoke without fire)?