Tishani De Silva

Analysis of Opening Sequence: Horror

The Crimson Peak (2015)

In the extract many generic codes and conventions of the horror genre
can be identified. The film opens with the distributor titles in red
accompanied by non-diegetic sound of a young child singing without any
accompaniment. Whilst this is not part of the narrative it does help convey
the tense atmosphere which the filmmakers wish the audience to
experience as a variation of the norm and combination of an echo like
sound with eerie connotations allows the audience to already feel on
edge as they are not met with the normal opening to any film. The use of
a circle transition from a young Edith, to her lying in bed combined with
the non-diegetic score music reaching a crescendo implies that Edith may
be in danger relatively soon, this also combined with non-diegetic voice
over from an older Edith firmly establishes her as the protagonist and
therefore allows the audiences attention to be focused on her. The use of
overdramatic, sombre score music combined with the outdated transition
also help to reinforce the timeframe for which the film is set.
Once the non-diegetic score music reaches a crescendo it begins to fade
out as the next sequence begins, the young Edith is lying in bed at night
struggling to sleep the combination of low key lightning and dark/muted
colours in the bedroom furniture create a fear of the unknown, as the
audience are already anticipating some sense of danger to appear. A wide
shot of Edith lying in bed shows shadows on wall appearing to being
formed from moths flying outside her bedroom window, this combined
with the diegetic sound of a ticking clock also create an uneasy feeling
suggesting that the environment that Edith is in is not stable and
something could attack her at any given time. Throughout this sequence a
quiet yet prominent piece of non-diegetic score music is playing
underneath throughout it build to crescendos and then falls back down
again at various points during the sequence, the wide shot revealing a
shadow in the hallway which appears to be the ghost is combined with the
same score music and diegetic sound of the ghost breathing this confirms
the fear of both the audience and the protagonist as the fear that
something may have been lurking in the shadows is confirmed. The
ghosts black robes and veil also allow the transition from the audience
noticing a shadow then a figure to be a lot less obvious hence creating
more anticipation and tension. The use of supernatural creatures is a
common practice within the horror genre.
This then cuts to a mid-shot of Edith lying in bed, scared the non-diegetic score
music grows quieter and implies that the ghost is gone, however the ghost
quickly places her hand on Edith this is accompanied by a sharp, high pitched
non-diegetic sound effect included to heighten the reaction from the audience as
it destroys the false sense of security that the danger is gone. A birds eye view

Tishani De Silva
angle is used whilst diegetic dialogue from the ghost saying Beware the Crimson
Peak is whispered to Edith, in addition to this the non-diegetic score music used
involves a high pitched sound fluctuating between a group of high notes creating
a fragile atmosphere where anything could happen next. A mid shot shows
Edith sitting up and screaming as she does the ghost appears to have
disappeared and the non-diegetic score music fades away suggesting that the
danger is no longer present.