Research - Horror Opening Analysis: Oculus

Malevolent Phantom

Horror Opening Analysis: Oculus

In the opening scene the title of the distribution company Relativity media appears then appears the production company Blumhouse, WWE studios and Intrepid Pictures. The background of the title is black whilst the title is silver creating a contrast between light and dark then a tense music fades in the scene so it gives it a spooky effect. In the first scene the lighting is low key giving it a mysterious effect then we can see a close up of an eye peeking through the door suggesting that character is hiding from someone. The girls face seems terrified as there are tear stain down her cheeks, drip of blood on her cheek and heavy breathing when she opens the door a little to see the antagonist that she’s hiding from. There is diegetic sound of the door creaking that matches her action. The audience would become curious about what the antagonist’s appearance. Then the camera turns into her perspective showing a living room. An older male character walks slowly and quietly past the door holding a gun as he looks around for her. There is non-diegetic sound of wind which may give the audience a chilling sensation. Then the shot changes into a close up of the girl hiding behind the door and her eyes are half hidden as she doesn’t want to become noticed because the antagonist is near. A close up of the man’s holding a gun is shown which suggests that he’s armed whilst the girl is vulnerable because she has nothing to protect herself with. The man walks the other direction as the camera pans up and then turns into an over the shoulder shot however he soon moves into the darkness of the corridor. The camera turns into a close of the girl which shows her swallowing her saliva as she feels relieved that he’s out of her sight giving her hope that she’s be safe. The audience see from her perspective as the man has disappeared then the camera shows the girl slowly open the door wider to check the surrounding but she still has a scared expression as she looks down. The audience may be tense and emphasis with her, hoping that the child will be safe. The camera is still in a close up however the door opens wider presenting another character that had been hiding which could suggest that he’s her younger brother. The audience could also relate to her at this situation as they would do the same to their own sibling which may make them emotional. Once the girl checks for the surrounding she walks out of shot with her brother following. The camera then changes into two shot showing the girl hold her brother’s hand and leading him to a safe place. As soon as they walk out of the safe room, there is a suspenseful sound which gets louder to suggest that they’re at risk.

The camera shot changes into a long shot of a room which show a female figure staring at the children which suggests that there are two antagonist after them. The audience can’t see the lady very well however her eyes are clearly visible suggesting that she’s possessed. The camera cuts into the boy’s face which shows his fear as he calls for Kaylie however his sister covers his mouth. This is the first dialogue in the opening of the film and the audience are able to identify the girl as her name is revealed.  The camera follows the 180 rule which creates a 3 dimensional relationship between the characters and ensures that the same distance is used in each shot. The girl’s expression shows that they’re in trouble especially as she holds him tightly, trying to protect him and shushing him whilst he holds onto her. The scene changes showing the camera from behind the stair railings and we’re able to hear the footstep coming closer that shows the man walking past it and finding the children. The shot cuts showing the children panicking then the girl moves in front of her brother suggesting that she’s going to protect him even if it costs her life. The camera slowly zooms into the characters suggesting that the antagonist is moving towards them, their expression shows that they’re petrified because they’re breathing heavily. There’s an extreme close up of the antagonist’s shoulder however it’s out of focus when he points the gun at the girl which changes into a close up of her face as she closes her eyes waiting to be shot. Then a tense non-diegetic sound gets louder until the antagonist’s appearance is revealed to an audience, his character subverts the stereotypical antagonist as he doesn’t look like the typical villain. The camera is at low angle which suggests that he’s more powerful and dominant over the girl. The antagonists face is out of focus again so they’re not revealing too much about him to the audience. He shoots the girl however the surrounding changes which suggests that the opening has occurred in the past and he was just retelling someone about his crime.