Horror - "Drag Me To Hell"

Drag Me to Hell

It is very easy to see that this is a horror film, not only by the name of the film but the use of sound. Also from the fact that a boy gets dragged into a hole in the floor within two minutes of it starting.

There are four characters present in the first scene. One woman who is an exorcist and a family seeking her help. We can tell that the family is poor by their ragged clothes and fathers dirty hands which suggest he is a labour worker. Also is very stereotypical of a horror to have the cursed one as a child.

First shot of the movie is a long shot which sets the scene; it shows nice cars and a big house, the title informs us it is 45 years in the past. While remaining in a same shot a cheaper, run down car pulls up. Two desperate parents carry their child to a women pleading for her help suggesting that whatever has happened is life threatening. While the child is lying down we see the ceiling from his point of view, with shadows dancing above him. The camera then starts to circle him symbolising the scene is literally revolving around him. When demons start destroying the room and slapping the characters the camera is swapping from each character but mainly focused on the young boy. As he runs to the other room we see the wealth of the home through marble balcony. A high angle shot of the boy is shown as he is then dragged into the floor. We feel empathy for the parents who are in hysterics. Finally the screen goes blank then suddenly the title shot appears very abruptly.

Horror films are known for the specific use of sound to build affect; in most cases the music is what scares people the greatest. From the very beginning before anything has happened, creepy music has started playing putting the audience on edge. The boy starts to hear voices but as they are vague it leaves an opportunity for the audience to think about what they imagination can come up with. As chaos has broken lose the parents start to shout in foreign, although we cannot understand what they are saying, we can still sense the fear and upset in their voices. At the very end of the clip it goes silent until the title of the film appears, along with loud intense music which frightens the audience, making them jump and excited to see more.