Mis en scene refers to all the visual elements of a film that establish its time, place, and story, including setting, costumes, makeup, props, and staging of actors. These elements help set the tone and engage the audience. For example, in a horror film the setting would be dark and spooky, costumes and makeup would look scary, and lighting would create tension. Together, mis en scene establishes the expectations and emotions crucial to the story being told on screen.