This document analyzes the mise-en-scene techniques used in trailers for the horror films The Resident, Gone Girl, and Prisoners. It discusses how the trailers use lighting, costumes, facial expressions, settings, and props to create suspense and unease in viewers. Specifically, it notes the use of dark lighting, casual costumes, angry facial expressions, settings like homes and forests that undermine feelings of safety, and props like hidden cameras and guns that imply danger and increase tension. The analysis suggests these mise-en-scene elements are effective at heightening fear of the unknown and inspiring a sense of vulnerability in viewers.

1. Mise-en-Scene Analysis
Horror Trailers

2. • The Resident (2011)
• Gone Girl (2014)
• Prisoners (2013)
Chosen Trailers

3. Lighting
Top Left and Bottom Left are screenshots from a
trailer for ‘The Resident’, the left middle is a
screenshot from the ‘Gone Girl’ Trailer and bottom
right is from ‘Prisoners’. All images show a setting
with very little natural light, illuminated only by
artificial light from lights or torches. This heightens
the sense of suspense and inspires a fear of the
unknown.
The use of harsh lighting amongst dark
surroundings in the bottom right screenshot alters
the colour of the figure in the light to a high
saturation and exposure level which makes the
character appear more unnatural and therefore
scary.

4. Costume
Prisoners (2013)
The ‘prisoners’ screenshot shows a figure trying to
keep his identity secret using a hood, this instantly
portrays him as a possible antagonist opening up the
opportunity for potential a misdirection in the
screenplay. ‘The Resident’ trailer screenshot shows
clothes bloodied after the protagonist has been
attacked by the villain, this shows the vulnerability
behind the character. The ‘Gone Girl’ screenshot
shows a male character dressed in casual clothes,
this presents the scene as being somewhat relaxed
and non-threatening, which could be an effective
misdirection if a violent scene was to follow and
catch the viewers off guard. Casual clothes also
reinforce the belief that everyday people could be
subject to the horrors on screen.
The Resident (2011) Gone Girl (2014)

5. Facial Expressions & Body Language
The top left and bottom left screenshots show two
male characters looking angry and frustrated to the
point of outburst, these expressions heighten the
tension within the scene and leads the viewer to fear
an outburst of violence.
The immediate left screenshot shows a male character
appearing suspicious and cautious in movement which
leads the viewer to believe there is something to fear
in the character’s immediate surroundings; ensuing a
sense of uneasiness in the viewer.
The bottom right screenshot shows a woman recoiling
in shock after a window is slammed down in front of
her, this facial expression simply recognises that the
occurrence was unexpected and brings shock value to
the scene.
Prisoners (2013) The Resident (2011)
Gone Girl (2014)

6. Setting
The above 2 screenshots are from ‘Gone Girl’ and display the inside and
outside of the protagonists home, the fact that the protagonists house
is a primary setting for a horror film leads the viewer to question that if
they are not safe in their own home is anywhere safe from danger? The
bottom right and left screenshots from ‘The Resident’ employ the same
technique.
The images on the left are screenshots from ‘Prisoners’ and capture an
outdoor setting with heavy emphasis on large trees and forests. The fact
that the trees are so huge in comparison to the figures inspires a sense
of vulnerability that we feel for the characters . Forests also provide lots
of cover and potential hiding spots for antagonists which furthers the
feeling of vulnerability in the protagonists whilst pushing suspicion of
the unknown upon the viewer.

7. Props The two screenshots on the left are from ‘The Resident’ trailer. The top
one shows a discreet camera that was formally hidden amongst books
before being uncovered. The fact that the camera has only just been
uncovered on screen leads the audience to believe that it has been
there for some time previous and that it has captured footage of all
goings on, this furthers the sense of unease and leads the audience to
question if they are being watched in their own homes. The PC monitor
pictured middle left shown after the discovery of the camera presents
technology as potentially being used by the antagonist to uncover
information on the protagonist and exploit this to the protagonists
detriment. The bottom left screenshot is from the ‘Prisoners’ trailer. A
gun being picked up by the protagonist takes centre stage in the image
which leads the audience to believe it will be put to use later in the film
meaning danger is to come.
The bottom right screenshot is from ‘Gone Girl’ and shows a man
examining a photo of a missing girl under torchlight. The fact that the
photo is similar to ones the audience will likely have of themselves or
family members furthers the sense that horrific events like those being
depicted on screen can happen to everyday people.