Dead again Thriller Analysis

dead again trailer
The opening of dead again we observe a range of different newspaper articles as the camera pans across the scene we see different close ups of each one. The articles make reference to the scissors or murder giving the audience an insight into what the film is about, the genre is also made clear through this as we identify murder plots with thrillers. As the articles are shown there is a non-diegetic soundtrack of classical music over the titles, which starts of fairly slow and intense and builds to a crescendo, thus reinforcing the thriller genre. When the music reaches its crescendo a fade is used as we enter the opening scene. The scene begins in black and white which suggests the scene took place in the past. There is a diegetic sound of Strauss singing, it is incredibly eerie and sets a mysterious atmosphere as we are at first uncertain of where the sound first comes from. When establishing it is Strauss it implies he is rather confident which is unusual considering of the prison setting we can confer he is in, this confidence implies he is hiding something or has a plan. We then hear the diegetic sound of scissors cutting, which is important to the scene as scissors have been prominent throughout the opening credits which imply they later on will play a key role in the film.

The camera pans around the room until it arrives at Strauss where we have low key high contrast chiaroscuro lighting. A medium close up is used to see Strauss however the lighting makes only his lips visible thus hiding his eyes as they are hidden in the darkness, this carries connotations that he is hiding something and creates a sense of mystery and danger, he appears very sinister and dominant.

There is a medium close up when Baker opens to window in the door and there is an over emphasised diegetic sound of him opening the window to increase drama and make it more shocking when he opens it. A point of view medium shot is then used from Baker to Strauss as we see him having his hair cut again we see the scissors as the scissors are a common reoccurrence we know they will be significant to the plot. As he enters the room there is diegetic music which again is rather eerie. Bakers non-verbal codes including his dress  code imply he is of importance, he is dressed in a white suit he looks formal and smart, also the colour white connotes purity and contrasted with the dark room it further connotes an idea of good vs. bad. His dress code is contrasted with Strauss who is wearing a prison uniform he appears scruffy. High key low contrast lighting is used to show Baker and as he sits down a tracking shot is used.

As the two characters converse shot reverse shots are used along with close ups are used to create emphasis on their faces and show the intensity of the conversation. There is a medium close up on Strauss as he leans into the light we see his eyes, his confidence is further emphasised by his relaxed attitude despite the fact he is getting the death penalty. When Strauss leans into the light he appears incredibly intimidating. An intense fast paced non diegetic sound of violins is being played to intensify the situation.  A tracking shot is used to show Strauss lean into baker followed by a low angle shot in which Strauss appears higher in the frame then Baker, making Strauss appear dominant and intimidating, and Baker seem frightened and subservient. As Strauss leans into Baker a cut away is used as we are diverted to the prison guard who looks rather confused and not particularly in control of the situation which makes us think Strauss controls the power.

As Strauss is called to receive his certain death, a long establishing shot is used to show the corridor we see clearly now it is a prison the lighting used her is low key and creates a tense and nervous atmosphere. Baker remains in the room the camera tracks him using a medium close up walking to the table in which the scissors were put down. There is then a close up on the newspaper with the headline “scissor killer to be put to death. A medium close up is used to show Bakers facial expression which displays panic as he realises Strauss has taken the scissors which causes a change in music as it becomes very fast tempo. An immediate cut to an extreme close up on the scissors in Strauss hand show clearly he has stolen with us and makes us think he plans to do something with them As the camera is tracking Strauss walking down the corridor we see prisoners expressions by medium close up they are all screaming which makes the scene more dramatic and fast pace.  Baker runs after Strauss and a long shot is used to show the distance between them this is symbolic of how far Baker is from stopping Strauss. Baker is running towards the camera and a close upon his face shows him screaming in panic. A close up on Strauss hand shows him preparing the scissors then we cut to a medium close up of his feet which are moving rapidly again connotes intensity. As he approaches the end of the corridor there is an extreme close up on his eyes to show he has fixated his target and has a plan. The camera zooms in fast on a silhouette of a woman. There is a medium close up on Strauss as he raises the scissors in order to stab her, as this happens there is diegetic sound of her high pitch scream and as this happens the camera cuts to the woman waking up from a nightmare using a graphic match. As lightning strikes she wakes up this is pathetic fallacy as the diegetic sounds of lightning show her fear.