2. The trailer begins with an establishing shot showing a location. Starting a
trailer with an establishing shot is very common in trailers because it helps to
set the scene. The chosen location looks peaceful and tranquil, however we
as an audience know that this film is a psychological horror and it seems that
many films from this genre like to tamper with the idea of something
appearing beautiful, but with underlying profundity.
3. The second shot of the trailer appears to be of a father with his young child
playing in a playground. This shot is a flashback of the protagonist India which
feeds an audience more information about her character. Children are also
very conventional when it comes to the horror genre.
4. This close up shot introduces one of the central characters of the film, India’s mother
Evelyn. In terms of lighting, the way that the shot has been taken highlights the
character’s stern facial expression. Nicole Kidman plays this role which is a major selling
point for the film because she is a very successful actress, therefore a large and global
audience will be attracted to the film.
5. Throughout the trailer, a series of typical conventions are portrayed that focus
on the horror genre. For example, this shot seems to be showing a funeral
taking place, which is likely to create fear of death amongst an audience. The
trailer does not inform its audience how India’s father died, therefore questions
would be raised regarding their family and its history.
6. This is another establishing shot of the house in which the family live in.
Secluded locations and mansions are both typical conventions from the horror
genre, and the fact that the Stoker family live in it raises questions as to what
goes on behind closed doors.
7. This shot has been taken at a low angle which is very effective in stating the authority
and emotions of the protagonist. As well as this, the dim lighting and dark clothing also
contributes to this idea and suggests that something bad has happened.
8. For many horror film fans, this shot of the main protagonist in the shower would
remind them of the iconic shower scene in the psychological thriller film ‘Psycho’. This
is known as intertexuality and is very common in films, especially from the horror
genre as many similar conventions and motifs are used. This shot hightens the
characters vulnerability, not only because she is upset but also because of her naked
appearance and the water which conveys purity.
9. This shot is an extreme close up of the main protagonist India who seems
to be holding a gun up to her eye. The way that the shot has been taken,
as well as the fact that the gun is out of focus makes it seem as if she is
looking directly at an audience, which could be quite unsettling.
10. The way that this shot has been positioned is very effective in terms of
explaining the type of relationship that these two characters share.
Here, the male is seen standing over the female which makes him seem
empowering. The fact that he is stroking her hair and that they are both
looking into each others eyes suggests that the pair are intimate with
one another.
11. Throughout the trailer, titles are used to feed an audience information about the
film. This title states that the film has been directed by the same person who
directed the film ‘Oldboy’. This film was a very successful mystery thriller, and so an
fans of this film are likely to be interested in watching the film ‘Stoker’. This is a
common marketing strategy used by film makers, as it targets a specific audience
that are interested in films from the horror genre.
12. This shot is one of the last shots in the film and is the only shot that shows all
three main characters together. In terms of mise en scene, the proxemics on
screen demonstrate the distance between the characters. Moreover, the fact that
the girl is opposite her uncle sharing direct eye contact with him suggests a
complicated relationship between them. Furthermore, the mother is looking
down at the table which adds to the tension created in the scene.
