Thriller Film Openings

☆ Thrillers ☆

The Shining

    The opening of The Shining (1980) develops the setting as in pure isolation, setting an uneasy and eerie tone for the rest of the film. The first thing that is seen is a small island, serving as a symbolic image of the isolation of the setting, which is a pattern throughout the film. The remote location that the family is driving to is put to scale with the mountainous scenery, displaying the suffocating isolation by the nature encapsulating the vehicle. Though there are other vehicles on the road, creating less of an isolated effect, most of the vehicles approach from the opposite direction reflecting the distance from civilization the hotel stands. As the Overlook Hotel is displayed, blending into the mountains, almost making itself a part of the mountain. This reflects the ghostly nature of the hotel, reflecting events prior. The music elements contribute to the non- visual elements of unsettlement and mystery. The audience is given insight as to what will occur in the rest of the film, fulfilling a convention of the thriller genre. The music that is present in this film opening is "Dies Irae", which translates to "The Day of Wrath", emphasizing the unsettling elements within the film opening. Though audiences are not aware of this, it serves as a reflection of the careful consideration of small elements that are present in the film. 

Shutter Island

    In the opening of the Shutter Island (2010), character development is portrayed of Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio). The opening starts with what seems to resemble a blank screen until a boat appears in the midst. This creates a tone of mystery and unease, alluding to the rest of the film. The fog at the beginning of the film also serves as a symbol of Teddy being lost, as his character shows traits of instability. As Teddy's character begins to get sea sick, he glances into his reflection in the mirror, emphasizing his unstable mental state, searching for meaning. The setting in which this occurs is very tight and enclosed, acting as a reflection into patterns that exist within the film. He is then shown looking out the window, symbolizing his feeling of being trapped, with the use of a small, circular window working with the ocean having a entrapping nature. Teddy then splashes water on his face in attempt to symbolically become rid of something, furthering the character development. Handcuffs are displayed, somewhat resembling shackles to have a foreshadowing effect-- emphasizing a convention of thriller films. Shutter Islands approach at character development feels extremely naturalistic, using slow, but effective strategies that do not feel forced in any way. This contributes to the effectiveness of this film opening.

Interstellar

    The opening of Interstellar, (2014) uses a development of setting to portray the dystopian representation of Earth. The opening begins with a display of the title along with a bookcase covered in dust which serves as a symbol of its importance within the film. The narrators give the opening interview-like attributes as they speak about a dust storm, establishing tones of nostalgia and loss as all of the narrators are old of age. Anecdotes of what their everyday life was like such as dusting off their plates before a meal or sweeping their patio decks is given which contributes to these dystopian attributes, pushing the inabilities of life on Earth. Wide shots of the landscape is shown as the narrators describe the distraught nature of their everyday lives which contributes to the push of the struggle of living on Earth. Simultaneously, insight is given to the dream of Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), the protagonist. His dream serves as an outline of the tone that persists in the film, as it is tense, demonstrating his space mission. The dream works as a source of foreshadowing as this scene occurs later in the film, portraying what the remainder of the film will surround. The opening scene also acts as an introduction to the conflict that causes humans to find somewhere to live outside of the Earth. Emphasis is put on the suspense following this opening.

 

Sandro. (2013b, July 13). The Shining • first scene 1080p [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiV3J_e977Q

    

Legendary Movie Scenes. (2020b, May 5). Opening - First scene - Shutter Island (2010) - movie clip HD scene [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF95pJaGasE

Rohit Malla. (2020, May 6). Interstellar: Opening scene | Cooper’s Nightmares [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5NPGC0jlRc