The opening sequence of Memento begins with the title screen and opening narration. It then shows a point-of-view shot of a polaroid photograph being held, depicting a dead body with blood on the walls. As the photograph is flickered, the blood appears to move backwards, revealing the sequence is in reverse. Unusual sounds and a creeping score also build tension. This introduction establishes the psychological thriller genre and key themes of death, mystery, and anxiety through its reversed visuals and audio.

1. MementoMemento
An analysis of the openingAn analysis of the opening
sequencesequence
By Anoushka

2. Introduction to the opening sequenceIntroduction to the opening sequence
The opening sequence begins with the title sequence followed by the beginningThe opening sequence begins with the title sequence followed by the beginning
of the narration of the storyof the narration of the story
The titles include the names of the director Christopher Nolan and the mainThe titles include the names of the director Christopher Nolan and the main
characters played by Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantolianocharacters played by Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano
They appear in a blue font over a plain black backgroundThey appear in a blue font over a plain black background

3. The name of the film is then presented and soon overlaps a POV+CU shot of a
photograph being held in a person’s hand
The photograph consists of a
dead person lying on the ground
with blood spilt all over the walls
This instantly introduces the conventional thriller concept of death/murder
in our minds in addition to other themes such as mystery, violence and
goriness
The fact that is it a POV
and CU shot makes the
audience draw attention to
the photograph

4. We understand that the photograph is taken from a Polaroid camera since the actor continuously
flicks it in order for for the photograph to develop. Also, the Polaroid camera is later on used by
the actor, which makes it more clear
What raises questions in the audiences minds is the fact that the colour
of the photograph fades every time the actor flicks it instead of it
becoming more vivid. This adds the ‘mystery’ element to the thriller.

5. This idea is taken forward when the photograph goes back into theThis idea is taken forward when the photograph goes back into the
camera, the blood on the walls travels upwards, etc. This makes uscamera, the blood on the walls travels upwards, etc. This makes us
understand that the motion of this clip is reversed.understand that the motion of this clip is reversed.
This establishes the psychological aspect of this film, thus
classifying it as a psychological thriller in terms of genre.

6. Distressed/anxious
expression which is
conventional in a
thriller
Blood/Injury adds
to the
violence/goriness
of the sequence

7. These shots establish the killingThese shots establish the killing
These frames build up on
thriller conventions that we
as an audience can identify
Bullet Blood stains on wall
Dead person Killer with a gun

8. SoundSound
The background score in this sequence is composed of a slowThe background score in this sequence is composed of a slow
rhythmic tune that gradually fades into a very soft and ratherrhythmic tune that gradually fades into a very soft and rather
creepy score which builds the tension in the scenecreepy score which builds the tension in the scene
The sound effects in this sequence are very significant: theThe sound effects in this sequence are very significant: the
camera clicking the photograph, the bullet rolling, etc.camera clicking the photograph, the bullet rolling, etc.
These sounds become louder towards the end and result in aThese sounds become louder towards the end and result in a
blaring gunshot and scream which shakes the audience. Thisblaring gunshot and scream which shakes the audience. This
adds to the ‘thrill’ effect.adds to the ‘thrill’ effect.

9. ConclusionConclusion
In general, Memento very successfully introduces the keyIn general, Memento very successfully introduces the key
themes involved in a conventional thriller such death, blood,themes involved in a conventional thriller such death, blood,
mystery and anxiety.mystery and anxiety.
In addition to that, the reversed motion concept plays withIn addition to that, the reversed motion concept plays with
the audiences’ minds thus giving them a bit more than athe audiences’ minds thus giving them a bit more than a
regular thriller.regular thriller.

10. ConclusionConclusion
In general, Memento very successfully introduces the keyIn general, Memento very successfully introduces the key
themes involved in a conventional thriller such death, blood,themes involved in a conventional thriller such death, blood,
mystery and anxiety.mystery and anxiety.
In addition to that, the reversed motion concept plays withIn addition to that, the reversed motion concept plays with
the audiences’ minds thus giving them a bit more than athe audiences’ minds thus giving them a bit more than a
regular thriller.regular thriller.