A detailed analysis of the American Thriller: Se7en.

1. Distributor: New Line Cinema
Analysis of Se7en’s Title
Sequence
Elleah Stanton

2. The sequence begins with a close up of a book filled with blank paper. The shot shows someone
turning the pages slowly. At first, one might say that this would connote an academic profession,
however when this shot and the prop is matched with the dark, gloomy lighting, it suggests
otherwise. The dark lighting shows that this character is looking through the book in the dark and
therefore signifies that this character could have some kind of obsession. The tattered edges and
the way the book is put together also shows that its not academic and that it is possibly handmade
again showing an obsession or a hobby. Having watched the film we know that this book is the
beginning of John Doe’s diary, however at this point in the sequence the audience is unaware of this
fact and therefore wants to discover who this character is and why they are looking through a blank
book in the darkness. The non-diegetic sound that accompanies this shot sounds like the shooting of
a gun in the distance which brings a more sinister tone. Then a scratchy repetitive sound is played
which connotes danger and creates tension.

3. Then arrives the beginning of the title credits. The creators of this
sequence decided to handwrite part of the credit and use the
Helvetica font for the other part. The sketchy and sharp font tells the
audience that the film could be of the thriller/horror genre. The text
also glitches and shifts around the same spot repeatedly. This could
signify some kind of disorder that makes someone fidgety and
paranoid.

4. The next shot is a close up shot of a
drawing of a distorted pair of hands that
have been stuck down with yellowing tape.
This represents how John Doe is obsessive
with his passion for killing in strange ways.
The distorted hands resemble his tendency
to murdering in psychotic ways which
therefore confirms to the audience that the
film is a horror/thriller.
This shot is then followed by swift extreme
close ups of various metal objects which at
first glance look very sharp and connote
experimentation. They are also iconographic
of psychotic murders and the horror genre.
It tells the audience that the character who
is handling the tools are of a psychotic
tendency and could reveal that the
character shown is the main antagonist.
The extreme close up makes the viewer
concentrate on the sharp, intricate parts of
the metal which emphasizes the sinister
idea of brutal and detailed killings.

5. The next shot is another extreme close
up of a teabag being gently dipped into
a cup of water. This connotes relaxation
and leisurely activities; it also signifies
that the character is comfortable, as
their movements are slow and calm.
When placed after the previous shots of
quite sinister ideas it gives the audience
a small sense of disorientation.
Afterwards comes an extremely short
shot of a photograph of someone who
has been tortured in a monstrous
way; it almost flashes on the screen.
This is iconographic of psychopathic
ideas such as torture for amusement.
The viewer is then returned to the
shot of the tea bag being lifted out of
the tea. The fact that this mental shot
has been placed in the middle of such
a normal action signifies that the
character is completely comfortable
with the morbid side of life: maybe
even enjoys it.
All of the shots used in this title sequence are
either close up shots or extreme close up shots.
They are used to create tension and a personal
insight into the life of this psychopathic
murderer. This is a technique that I will not be
adapting for my own work as this would mean
that I wouldn’t get high marks as I have to use a
wide range of camera shots.

6. With regards to editing, here the shot is repeated
over the top of it’s self. The effect used here is
called ‘ghosting’ and it signifies the idea that this
character may be insane as it disorientates the
viewer. It could connote a medical condition with
regards to mental illness.
Shots of these diaries
with streams of writing
are a common
occurrence throughout
the title sequence. This
tells the audience that
they are a large part of
the narrative and makes
the viewer wonder what
significance they have in
the plot.
Afterwards a shot of the paper he was
writing on is shown. The prop is covered
in very obsessive writing as it covers the
whole page and looks like a continual
stream of words. This again works on the
idea that this character is captivated by
the torture of humans.

7. The hands that are repeatedly shown are all bandages
up. They also look rough and dry which signifies that he
may not take his health and cleanliness into
consideration. This idea of a psychopath is therefore
exacerbated as it shows he is so concentrated on his
passion for murdering and torturing. The bandages look
dirty and over-worn signifying that they haven’t been
changed in a while, again showing he does not care for
his own health. It could even suggest he is so involved
with his obsession that he removes himself from reality
and focuses soully on his murderous goals.
The music that accompanies
these shots is extremely sharp
and high pitched. It is almost
uncomfortable for the viewer to
hear which gives a sense of
disorientation and disgust which
prepares them for the ghoulish
themes within the film.
Parts of the track sound like
sounds a mechanical tool would
make. For example the sound of
a rattling chain being pulled
through something connotes
torture and links to the traditional
means of torturing. The sounds
are stereotypical of the
horror/thriller genre.

8. Various shots of the
character crossing out parts
of a text signify that he is
planning something, or
researching into something.
When these shots are
accompanied with the rest
that I have analysed, is
signifies that the character is
melodic and careful with his
murdering. He appears to
planning something as then,
a shot of a picture of a
human face being crossed
out is shown, which suggests
that what he was doing to the
text was planning for what he
will do to his victims.

9. Various grotesque images of humans being tortured in a variety of different ways
reveals his experimental nature. These disturbing images aim to unnerve the
viewer as they cringe at the idea of it happening to themselves.

10. The Audience
 This film/title sequence is clearly
aimed at people who like horror films.
This group of people is generally
teenagers 16 years old to adults 30
years old. To be more specific, people
who find the idea of mental instability
interesting will find this film intriguing
as it appears to look at the mind
behind the lunatic.
 It is also aimed at people who can
stomach gore and violence, however
not to the point of being so
comfortable with it that the film
doesn’t have any emotional effect on
them. The aim of the gore is to shock
the viewer.
Social Groups
With regards to social groups that
are represented within the title
sequence, the only social group
that is shown is a serial killer. It
looks at the intentions and the mind
of a sadist serial killer.
In the film, another social group
represented is detectives and the
police force as it follows their
pursuit of capturing John Doe.

11.  This film is distributed by New Line Cinema