Prisoners scene analysis

Prisoners-

At the beginning of the clip at 0:03 high key lighting is used. This shows the audience that the diner is relaxed and that it is a well-lit open space. We know this a high key lighting means the audience can clearly see the surroundings. This suggests that the diner is a safe place to be as it is very bright.

At 0:11 seconds into the clip the waitress approaches the main character, detective Loki, who is played by Jake Gyllenhaal. The mise-en-scene at this moment shows the audience there may be danger approaching. This is because the colour red is over used. The waitress’ apron is red, the chairs are red and there is also red décor at the diner for example the straws on the table.

While in the diner the main character receives a message over the radio to which he responds rapidly. He gets into his car at 1:11 in the clip. This is where the cinematographer uses chiaroscuro lighting.  This is when half of something, for example an actor’s face is lit, and the other remains in darkness. The cinematographer does this to cause mystery and distress, as the audience cannot see the facial expressions of the actor.

Throughout the clip you can see and hear thunder, lightning and rain. This is a good use of diegetic sound as the audience can see the lightning and rain on the screen. 

Not long after a long shot is used. At 1:36 of the clip we see a stationary motor home from the detectives prospective. We can tell this is a long shot as you can see the whole of the vehicle and the majority of its surroundings. This shot stays like this for around 4 seconds.

Low key lighting is used again at 2:59 as only the only mean of light comes from flashlights the police are using. This causes a tense feeling for the audience as we are unaware of what may happen next due to the fact we cannot see very clearly. This continues to when detective Loki enters the vehicle and approaches the driver at 3:26 in the clip. This is used to create an uneasy atmosphere, as it causes mystery and keeps the audience in suspense.

From 1 minute and 50 seconds until the end of the of the clip the mise-en-scene shows cold, neutral tones. This is because the colour of the background and other things in the scene are blue, for example the sirens on the police cars. This could reference the killer’s feelings and emotions. As suggested from his facial expressions, as he remains neutral when asked the question of “Where he buried the girls?” He does not answer and remains cool (like the colour blue), therefore suggesting he has not remorse.

After viewing this clip, it is very easy to tell that it is a horror/ thriller film. We can tell this because of the conventions used throughout. Some of the conventions associated with a horror and some thriller films are, an obvious killer or monster, a victim, low key lighting, and very secluded spaces, as we can see the petrol station is. Thunder and lightning can also be a convention for the horror or thriller genre due to the way it makes the audience feel.