Horror Trailer Analysis: Oculus

Horror Trailer Analysis

Oculus 

There is a green screen which informs the audience the appropriate age range that is able to watch the film. It cuts to the distribution company and the production credits to appeal to the audience as they’re know in the horror genre. There is eerie non diegetic music to give off mysterious feel so the audience become more intrigued because the characters haven’t been introduced yet. It pans right slowly revealing the setting which seems like an attic, there is low key lighting to keep the audience attentive as the antagonist may appear however the high key lighting from the window is natural, highlighting the covered up object. It cuts to a title which shows the audience that the film is made from the producers of Paranormal Activity and Insidious which has an impact on the target audience as they have high expectations on this film. We can hear the diegetic sound of the wind because the items in the attic begin to be moving due to it. The attic seems abandoned because there are leaves and dirt on the ground which may imply that the plot will revolve around a family moving in and discovering the item which is hidden by a large cloth, leaving the audience curious about what’s behind it. The wind blows on the cloth that begins to uncover the mystery then we see a hand figure grabbing onto the cloth making their viewers suspicious however its appearance isn’t revealed suggesting that it may be an antagonist.  There is a voice over that sound like a little girl, this is a convention in a horror films as little children are normally evil and creepy, and the voice informs the audience about the mirror indicating that it’s a part of the mystery because we don’t know what its purpose is. The audience can see the full mirror, it seems like an antique; its old fashion implying that the plot may have something to do with the past, the mirror reflects the whole room, this technique is creative as they have only used this shot. The voice over continues as the girl describe the mirror “face of silver” which indicates that sinister creature/ antagonist is trapped inside the mirror and “frame of black” suggests the evil force is within the mirror. The camera zooms in to make the voice over more effective as it leaves the audience confused about what’s going to occur this scene is in slow motion emphasizing the fear of unknown. “I stare; I can feel you staring back” implies that the voice could be the main protagonist as it’s only her that can sense the antagonist which shows that she’s being targeted. The non-diegetic sound intensifies for a moment then stops as the screen fades to black which may surprise the audience because it becomes dramatic.

The setting changes to a modern setting and the mirror has been moved to the room, we can see that the layout is set up for something because there are cam recorders which are pointed at the two characters who are standing in front of the mirror. Then it quickly cuts to a medium shot of the two protagonist that were standing in front of the mirror, there is low key lighting to indicate that something is likely going to happen. The non-diegetic sound seems to be in sync with the fast faced scenes to build up more tension, in these quick moments the past events were shown. There is a close up of the mirror as blood drips down which may foreshadow future events as the characters may end up dead. The voice over fades in “I hear your voice” implying that she’s getting closer to the antagonist which shows that she may be in danger. A long shot the main protagonist in a warehouse setting then the camera zooms up to a medium shot of two figures underneath the blanket which is enigma code. Then it zooms to a close up of the main protagonist expression which shows that she’s suspicious of what’s behind her however as soon as she faces away the figure moves. The scene returns to the attic setting as it zooms in again but the mirror is covered with blood implying death and danger.

The voice over returns, there are couple of scenes that flashes back to the past then a medium shot shows an older women being dragged across the floor with implies that the antagonist has appeared. There is low key lighting that gives a sinister feel as negative things are occurring to the main characters. The camera zooms into the mirror again as there is blood dripping down it, the voice over “window, portal” suggests that the antagonist enters in their life through the mirror.

There is a close up of the main protagonists face as she holds a light bulb in her hand and her mouth is bloody indicating that she was being possessed; her expression shows that she’s shocked. A quick shot show the antagonists face which may surprise the audience as it suddenly appears, she has a sinister smile which shows that she’s evil. A medium shot of a girl running down the hallway holding a golf club, her expression shows that she’s terrified as she’s crying and trying to defend herself. There is a quick shot of the antagonist chasing her, her posture seems like she’s possessed especially as she’s moving in an animalistic way. It returns back to a close up of the mirror as the blood spells the film name out, this is a creative way of ending the trailer as the audience doesn’t know a lot about the plot which makes them curious on whether the main protagonist dies. The eerie music fades with the black screen, then a medium shot shows the possessed women staring at the audience which is accompanied with a scream, so it has an impact on the viewers.