1. We need to talk
about Kevin trailer
codes and
conventions
analysis.
By Olivia and
Claudia

2. Part 1: Exposition
• The trailer starts with happy, upbeat music, Buddy Holly, with
the lyrics “everyday things are getting better”. The lyrics fit
the images well as they both play a role in setting up the
couples perfect relationship. Their lives are getting better
everyday as they are a young couple in love who have a baby
and seem content with their lives. This is illustrated through
all the short clips of the couples relationship story and with
them smiling.

3. Part 2: Complication
• The shift from exposition to complication arises when the red ball is
thrown at the young boy, as the amplified sound of the bouncing ball
creates a change in mood and atmosphere. The scene becomes more
tense due to the thumping noise of the ball. Moreover, dialogue is used to
emphases the shift in Freytag’s pyramid. “Shouldn’t he be talking by now”
The audience could be asking themselves questions as to why he is not
talking, creating mystery. We then experience the start of the shift from
complication to raising action as the music suddenly stops parallel to the
amplified sound of the paint splashing on the walls. Highlighting the fact
that the boy is beginning to misbehave more.

4. Part 3: Rising action
Raising action starts when the screen suddenly goes black with a credits of awards at
which the film had one, such as the Cannes film festival. During the black screen there
is a sound bridge of the amplified sound of the bouncing ball again. Creating tension
as the sound of the ball has the connotations of the sound of a heartbeat. Moreover,
the asynchronous, non- diegetic voice over, “just a sweet little boy” contradicts the
images which are being shown. For example, the images are becoming much more
fast pace and darker. Furthermore, the trailer includes a narrative lacuna, there is a
gap in time. Illustrated with a mid shot of the young boy with a bow and arrow to
suddenly the same mid shot, however, the boy has grown up. This could demonstrate
that even though time has past, the boy is still misbehaving and nothing has changed.

5. Part 4: Climax
• The climax then occurs when the sound of the amplified bouncing ball
occurs yet again mimicking a strong methodical beat increasing in tempo
similar to a heartbeat. The images then become much more fast paced.
Including close ups and extreme close ups of eyes. The use of these
camera shot choses exenterates fear within the audience. Moreover, the
dialogue of the father saying “just a sweet little boy, that’s what boys do”
has an eco effect which creates unease as the eco could symbolise the on
going thought running through the mums mind.

6. Cliff hanger
The last shift occurs when the music goes back to the
upbeat, Buddy Holly song. However, the song now has
different connotations then it did at the start. The
music now has an eerie feel to it inviting narrative
enigma, which draws the audience in and influencing
them to watch the film.