Openings research

Hey everyone! So, choosing the right genre for my film was a bit of a debate. At first, I was stuck between drama and thriller, both are genres that really passionate me and let me get creative with storytelling. Drama is all about deep emotions and personal struggles, while thrillers keep you on edge, waiting for the next big twist. I love both, but after thinking it through, I realized thriller is the way to go. There’s something about the suspense, the tension, and the way it keeps audiences hooked that really excites me. I want my film to grab attention right from the start and make people feel like they have to keep watching. To get a better idea of what makes a thriller opening stand out, I decided to analyze three different films. I looked at how they introduce the story, build suspense, and set the tone for what’s coming next.

1. A Quiet Place (2018) – Directed by John Krasinski

This movie wastes no time pulling you in. The opening scene is completely silent, except for soft whispers and the sound of footsteps. Right away, you can tell that sound is dangerous in this world, and the tension is already there. The setting: a deserted town with empty shelves and scattered belongings, tells us everything we need to know without a single line of dialogue. The use of close-ups on the characters’ faces makes their fear feel real, and the slow, careful movements build suspense. Then, just when you start to settle into the scene, a sudden, tragic moment changes everything. This is a perfect example of how a thriller should grab the audience immediately and make them desperate to know what happens next. I really like this example because it’s what I want to do with my film and it inspired me to get the idea that I have for it.

2. Gone Girl (2014) – Directed by David Fincher

This opening is so simple yet so unsettling. It starts with a soft, calm voiceover as we see a husband lovingly stroke his wife’s hair. At first, it feels like a normal romantic moment, but then the dialogue takes a dark turn. He talks about wanting to “crack open her skull and see what’s inside,” and suddenly, the whole tone shifts. The music is eerie but quiet, the lighting is cold, and the wife’s expression is unreadable. Right away, it makes the audience question what’s really going on in this marriage. That’s what I love about thriller openings, they don’t need action or jump scares to create suspense. Sometimes, just a simple moment can feel deeply disturbing when done right.

3. Se7en (1995) – Directed by David Fincher

This movie was actually recommended to me by my dad, when I told him I was doing research on thriller movies he told me straight away to watch this one. The opening credits of Se7en are one of the most disturbing yet fascinating introductions in a thriller. Instead of a simple title sequence, I was thrown into the mind of the killer, watching as he obsessively puts together notebooks filled with unsettling images, scratched-out writing, and eerie photographs. The grainy, flickering visuals and quick, jarring cuts make everything feel chaotic and sinister, while the unsettling music only adds to the unease. What makes this opening so effective is that it doesn’t give away too much but still leaves you uncomfortable and wanting more. It makes you question who this person is and what they’re planning. This is a perfect example of how a thriller can immediately set the tone while still incorporating the credits. It’s funny how it was recommended as a suggestion but ending up being my favorite and I really learned a lot from it. 

What I Learned for My Own Film:

Watching these openings made me realize how important tone and atmosphere are in a thriller. It’s not just about what’s happening, it’s about how it’s shown. Silence, music, lighting, and camera angles all play a huge role in creating suspense. For my own film, I want to make sure my opening immediately pulls people in and makes them feel like something big is about to happen. I still have a lot to figure out, but I’m excited to take inspiration from these movies and build something unique.

Side note: All this research I've been doing really makes me want to think about if I want to do something related with film in the future career wise. I’m really enjoying all these steps I have to do just to make a 2 minute movie opening, I can’t imagine how I'm going to feel once I start filming.