Research - Horror Opening Analysis: SAW

Malevolent Phantom

Horror Opening Analysis: SAW

In the opening sequence the background is black then the title of the film appears; the title is animated as it expands out and fades out. The first scene low key lightning and extreme close up of a drain however we’re not able to see the setting. There is an object which is floating on the water and shines the light then the scene cuts into a close up of a man who is under water, he rapidly gets out. There is another close up of the water being drained in the bath tub then it switches back to a close up of the man gasping for air. A close up of his feet is shown as he struggles to remove the plug in the bath tub, once it’s out the camera zooms out to a medium shot of the man inside the bathtub with his leg chained. He struggles to get out of the tub then an extreme close of the drain shows the water going through then the camera return back to the man who is now sitting upright and coughing. The lightning is still dark so they audience aren’t able see the character and analysis him. It’s set in a bathroom because we can see the tile wall in the background however it looks filthy as there is blood dripping on the wall. The man’s body language shows that he’s vulnerable and weak because he’s having difficulties getting out of the bath tub so he ends up falling on the floor. The character begins moving around regaining his balance so he walks towards the pipe that is chained to his ankle. There is use of dialogue where he asks of help suggesting that he can’t save himself as stereotypical man is strong and is capable of saving himself. Then there is a quick non-diegetic sound which surprises him as he looks around for anything suspicious then he starts calling out to see if anyone is in the room with him. His body language shows that he still isn’t stable while he shouts for someone then he swears which suggests the frustration.  The character believes that everyone is dead however there is a non-diegetic sound of a male voice proving him wrong “you’re not dead” his voice seems husky suggesting that he could be the antagonist. The vulnerable male says “who’s there” as he arms moves out to see if anything is close to him, without getting a response he yells again but is asked to stop as there’s no point. The camera hasn’t shown the second male to keep the audience curious about him then he says “I already tried” which shows that he’s a victim too as he’s tried to escape. The vulnerable man asked for the lights to be turned on as he’s afraid because he seems timid and backs away from the voice.

The camera cuts into a high angle shot and pans vertically as it lights are being turned on then changes to a medium shot of the man struggling to adjust to the brightness because he covers his eyes with his hand which is by a diegetic sound of the lights turning on.  The camera zooms into a close up which shows the man’s hand in front of him that could suggest they he’s trying to defend himself because the antagonist may appear. It zooms as the man faces the camera with his eyes closed; this shot allows the audience to analysis his character. The camera zooms into him however it changes into his perspective because the audience are able to see the blurry shot of the ceiling then the scene becomes clear which suggests that the man has his vision back. The camera turns in to medium shot showing the man in a better state than in the beginning, then we’re introduced to another character that’s on the other side chained. The second man seems like he’s been hit and his body languages shows that he’s weak too as he looks around the room. The camera changes from the second man’s perspective that shows more of the surrounding; the room is a dirty and abandoned bathroom. The first man begins to walk towards him then the shot changes into a medium shot showing the man that is accompanied with a tense music which suggests that they’ve discovered something. The camera pans down that shows the dead body lying on the pool of blood and then the close up of the recorder and a gun is shown which may suggest that they’re an important objects.