The opening scene establishes the genre as an action/thriller through a man surrounded by fire. Gunshots, footsteps and other diegetic sounds create tension for both the character and audience. Non-diegetic music also builds tension. Medium shots show the deserted setting while close-ups focus on the unknown killer to build suspense. Fast editing and mise-en-scene like ropes and boats add mystery about the plot while intriguing the audience to watch more.

1. The Usual Suspects

2. Genre
Right at the beginning of the opening
scene we see that there is a man lying on
the floor surrounded by a fire starting
around him. This immediately gives off the
impression to the audience that the film is
an action/thriller.
Throughout the opening scene, we see
that guns, murder and and unknown
character are involved. This tells us that
these 3 items are the main focus of the
film.

3. Sound
In the opening scene, the audience as well as
the character in the movie comes across the
diegetic sound of gun shots, chimes, metal
staircases being hit against and heavy
footsteps. This immediately creates tension for
the audience, but more so for the character
although he does not seem like he is in the
right state of mind to realise what is about to
happen.
There is also non-diegetic sound, it is music
which gradually becomes louder but then dies
down, and then becomes louder again. This
creates more tension for the audience as they
do not know what will appear on screen and
the character cannot hear the music therefore
cannot connect fear with the character.

4. Camera/Camera Time
There were a lot of medium wide shots used to
show the audience a clear image of the setting and
a small idea of what type of film it was. The shots
introduced mystery to the film as the scene was set
at night in a deserted area. The close up shots were
of what seemed to be introduced as the main focus
of the film. There was a lot of camera time on the
body of the unknown killer to bring suspense to
film. This was done at the beginning effectively to
bring attention to the audience.
There was a low angle looking up to the unknown
killer implying that this person has power in this
scene, in addition to the fact one is standing up and
the other is on the floor weak.

5. Editing/Mise en scene
The director adds some fast pace shots in order
for the audience to fit the pieces together to
discover or have a small inclination of what the
short clips represent. This creates mystery and
suspense for the audience.
The setting is easily established due to mise en
scene when ropes, metal bars, port windows
and boats are shown. This adds detail to the
story line. It is effective and intriguing to the
audience as they wonder what all these items
mean, therefore makes them want to watch
more.