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Thriller Research

Black Swan

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Release date:  22 October 2010 (UK- London Film Festival)

Writers: Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz

Star Actresses/Actors: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel

IMDB User review: 'to look at Black Swan in another way, it is an operatic horror film, It has incredible style, but uses it not so much to dazzle but to confuse and intimidate. The paradox of Black swan is that it creepiness is kind of seductive, because it draws you in'

Awards: Natalie Portman won an Oscar for best performance by an actress in a leading role. She also won many other awards for being the best leading actress/outstanding performance.

Natalie Portman plays the role of a ballet dancer called Nina and goes into an intense battle with a new arrival, Lily, played by Mila Kunis who seems to be determined to get her out of the spotlight. Nina desires to be the Swan Queen in a production of Swan Lake by acclaimed theater director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel).  Both dancers impress him. Swan Lake needs a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who denotes deviousness and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role effortlessly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. The two dancers develop their rivalry into a twisted friendship; Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side - a recklessness that lurks to destroy her. 

This film relates to the aspects of a thriller genre as it uses a dark logo: crosscreek pictures which is recognised a lot in the psychological thriller/horror category of films. Also, the black background is a common feature in these type of films.    

Additionally, it shows the leading character dancing alone in a dark room, therefore we see her as isolated from everyone else. The film uses lots of close ups of the protagonist showing a terrified expression resulting in the audience feel uncomfortable. Common features of the film are a dark background, use of make-up on the main character - hiding her identity and focusing on something that is not as it appears with the character. For example, an unexpected change in personality and a crack in the face on the DVD cover. Characters in thriller films can be similar such as appearing fairly normal on the outside but their is something dark or mysterious within.

Peter Bradshaw reviewed this film in 'The Guardian':

"Black Swan is ionospherically over the top, and some of its effects are overdone, but it is richly, sensually enjoyable and there is such fascination in seeing Portman surrender to the madness and watch her face transmute into a horror-mask like a nightmare version of Maria Callas. It is exciting, quite mad and often really scary."

I disagree with this statement as I believe if its effects were not overdone, the film would not be as an intriguing as it is, it would be a lot less interesting if this was the case. However, I agree that it is enjoyable because the story line is unusual, therefore it makes you want to continue watching the film as whilst watching you are full of trepidation but you are captivated, so you want to find out what happens in the end. Overall, I thought this film was very gripping and found the story line to be really interesting as I had never seen a film like the way this film was set out before.

The Woman in Black

Director: James Watkins
Release date: 10th February 2012 (UK)
Writers: Susan Hill (novel) Jane Goldman (screenplay)
Star Actresses/Actors:Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciarán Hinds
IMDB User review:Woman in Black is a chilling film, it kept great suspense throughout and had me on the edge of your seat waiting to see what was around the next corner. A great film with good performances and direction, I really enjoyed it a lot.

Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) is a young lawyer who is depressed by the loss of his wife after giving birth to a son. His son, now grown to a toddler, draws pictures of him with a sad face. He is dispensed to prepare a large house for sale on a marsh and travels to a murky village where he is ignored by most of the townspeople. He visits the Eel Marsh House, the estate of the late Alice Drabow, to look it over, but finds his job has grown more terrifying as it is haunted by the ghost of a woman. He learns from the villagers that the ghost of the woman in black seeks revenge against their children because her child was taken away from her. Kipps is befriended by Sam (Ciaran Hinds) and his wife Elizabeth (Janet McTeer) Both who have also lost a son, and they help the lawyer to investigate the background of the estate and what happened.

This film indicates a thriller genre as again the logo showed in the trailer is crosscreek pictures. Also, the trailer uses a voice over of a child narrating which signifies the innocence and purity through the nursery rhyme the child recites. The nursery rhyme is quite menacing and is played at the same time images from the film are being displayed. This creates an apprehensive atmosphere towards the audience which highlights the thriller genre. Additionally, several close ups are used. The close ups show toys, this makes the viewers uncomfortable as this is the only thing they have to focus on. The appearance of toys may be unexpected as they are displayed in an unusual way to what an audience would expect, creating a sinister atmosphere.

Furthermore, the trailer uses the sound of a children's music box for incidental music throughout. The music is slow and calm and makes the audience feel edgy rather than relaxed as it is played in time with the movements of the toys. The tune is repetitive, therefore it could possibly be foreshadowing that the 'woman in black' is always there.

Additionally, the mise-en-scene setting illustrated is quite dark and everywhere seems quite isolated which makes the audience fear for what could happen. The trailer shows that the houses in the village are  surrounded by bars which gives the idea that the characters feel trapped. Children are shown behind the bars which suggests that they are trapped by the Woman in black. The colours used in this film are often dark which might link to death. The lighting used is dark as well. This creates tension as the audience and characters in the fim are unaware of what could be about to happen. As the lighting is mainly dark, it creates a negative and dull atmosphere.

Xan Brooks reviewed this film in 'The Guardian': "I'll confess that James Watkins's exuberant joy-buzzer direction had me jumping in my seat and clutching pathetically at the armrest."

I agree with this statement. I found the film very exciting to watch because it created a lot of tension and made me nervous as to what was about to happen;it kept me very entertained and interested as it made me want to see what I was waiting for.  Also, I thought that Daniel Radcliffe was a brilliant actor as he demonstrated that he was anxious and quite frightened at appropriate moments throughout the film. Overall, there was a lot of suspense but it made the it was very enjoyable and exhilirating.

Orphan

Director: Jaume Collet-SerraRelease date: 7 August 2009 (UK)Writers: David Johnson (screenplay) Alex Mace (story)Star Actresses/Actors: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman
IMDB User review:Orphan REALLY surprised me. I expected some stupid pg-13 movie that somehow got an R rating. That was not the case. Let me tell you, Orphan is very disturbing at parts, and pretty gruesome. The movie overall is excellent, has some great acting, an amazing script, and excellent execution. The movie really has a lot of suspense and the twist is pulled off very well and packs a big punch to the viewer.

The tragic loss of their unborn child has devastated Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard), taking a toll on both their marriage and Kate's delicate consciousness as she is plagued by nightmares. Struggling to regain some impression of normality in their lives, they decide to adopt another child. At the local orphanage, both John and Kate find themselves peculiarly interested to a young girl, Esther (Isabelle Fuhram). They quickly welcome Esther into their home. Then a shocking series of events begins, leading Kate to believe that there's something wrong with Esther. The apparently angelic little girl is not what she seems to be. Kate is concerned for the safety of her family and tries to get John and others to see past Esther's sweet disguise but her warnings go unnoticed until it may be too late for everyone.

Orphan illustrates the thriller genre as on the cover for the film, it shows the young girl. There is a contrast of light and dark colours that focus on her to make her look more threatening. Around her eyes and jaws it shows a dark shadow which makes her seem creepy or mysterious. The background is green which could maybe symbolise paranormal or envy. The writing is red and white. Red could represent danger and white could demonstrate that the girl is innocent. However, the white font is unique and looks as if someone has scratched it on which could indicate violence. This could highlight that the young girl isn't what she genuinely first appears to be.

Furthermore, the main plot line focuses on a mystery that needs to be solved. For example, in this film 'Orphan' the plot concentrates on finding out why the protagonist behaves the way that she does. Throughout, this film there is an atmosphere of creepy menace and sudden violence. This thriller presents society as dark, dangerous and corrupt. Esther is interpreted as a psychotic individual as in her past she was a murderer and then sent to a mental institution but managed to escape. The picture below highlights how she is psychotic as she is supposedly a young child and she is using a weapon - a gun. In the film she actually aims and shoots at characters, this is abnormal for a girl of her age. Also the blood on her hand demonstrates that she is dangerous.

Additionally, the main location in Orphan is the house of the family where Esther goes to live with them. The house is in an isolated area, this makes the audience aware that they are distant from other people, meaning that it would be a struggle to get help quickly if anything went wrong. Also, it shows a winter setting as we see snow in most parts of the film. Winter could symbolise death due to the outside world being very cold and desolate.

Philip French reviewed this film in 'The Guardian': "Although slightly overlong, the film sustains the escalating horror and keeps up its sleeve a truly shocking revelation that's carefully prepared for, though not signalled. Isabelle Fuhrman is astonishing as Esther. "

In my opinion, the film was not too long. I think it  need this time to enable hints to the audience  and make the audience understand up until the most shocking thing is revealed and the mystery is solved. I agree with the review because I also considered the revelation to be extremely surprising as it is so unexpected, although there is many hints throughout the film that she is insane but you never fully understand until the end. I also considered Isabelle Fuhrman to be an amazing actress as the character of Esther as she always kept me intrigued even though I was afraid of watching her because of the series of events she made happen.  This was the intention of the this character, therefore it was brilliant acting. She caused a lot of nerve wracking tension but you would still carry on watching as you wanted to know the solution to the mystery- why she behaved in this certain way that would keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Overall, I really enjoyed this film as it was quite terrifying but still made me want to know what happens. This film definitely stimulated a high level of anticipation and created a lot of anxiety but this made it fantastic to watch.