Blog post #10: Film Opening Research #1 - Knives Out

Knives Out

The second movie I have decided to analyze is the opening sequence for was the Knives Out (2019) directed by Rian Johnson. This is also one of my favorite movies solely because of the plotline. I love movies with the "who done it?" plotline because I love having to think and come up with who did it. This movie is about A wealthy older writer named Harlan Thrombey who is found dead in his mansion and an investigator named Benoit Blanc is chosen to investigate the case. Throughout the entire movie, his own family members and his staff around the house are all seen as suspects in the death of Harlan Thrombey. 

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? 

This movie is different from "Guardians of the Galaxy in which it only included one title throughout the entire opening sequence. "Knives Out" only included the name of the movie instead of the traditional name of the director, cast, and crew. 

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? 

In the opening sequence, a large mansion which we are led to think is Harlan's and would be the setting for the movie is prioritized. The house is seen to be in a dark forested area with fog and gloomy weather. The next image would be a mug that has "My house, my rules, and my coffee" on it which may bring a bit of humor to the gloomy and mysterious introduction. After images of antiques and old dolls are used which may show a little bit of background as to what's in the house and the type of person Harlan was by what he surrounded himself within his home. The next images are books written by Harlan which shows that he is an author. The last image would be Harlan's dead body.

What connotations do the images carry? 

All of these images carry very mysterious and odd connotations. The first image was the house which brings a very ominous theme to the beginning of the movie. The house itself is very dark and the surroundings of it are very gloomy as well. The fog and cloudy weather carry over a very mysterious uncertainty. Next, the mug carries a lighthearted humorous connotation because it gives us the first taste of who Harlan was and the type of humor he might have had. Later the various artifacts and dolls that are shown also carry a mysterious tone because as the audience we are unsure if these items hold significance to the plot or characters. As well as they are just very random. Lastly, seeing the image of Harlan's dead body definitely brings a negative and confusing connotation because the audience did not know anything about him before he died.

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? 

As for the opening scene, the audience isn't given much information about the characters or plotline. We are more given the setting, a potential suspect, and various items from around the house which I think reinforces the crime and mystery genre of the movie. The music playing in the background is calming classical music. A similar movie in this genre would include more fast-paced, eerie music to go along with the opening sequence, but hearing this music may be very confusing to many. Since you wouldn't think to hear it in a crime or mystery film. Low-key lighting is also used in the film to evoke a mysterious theme. The type of lighting allowed the scenes to appear to be more dramatic. The various close-up shots further establish that mysterious feeling and the panning shot provides the audience with a concept of the setting. We are able to see his bedroom, living room, and study using panning shots.

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? 

I think using unique strategies such as not including many titles and using a different form of the opening sequences, in general, helps appeal to its target audience. "Knives Out" has a scene in slow motion at the beginning to create suspense also it includes fast-paced rapid shots of items around the house to demonstrate Harlan's odd and quirky personality through his room decor.  Another genre this film is under is comedy and we get a taste of the humor that might be included in the film through the close upshot of the mug. Other opening sequences may opt to include more information about the plot or characters, but "Knives Out" didn't leave any information for the audience to grasp. We as the audience are not given any further information than what we see in the first 2 minutes of the movie, which truly helps the movie embody the mystery in the film. 

How has technology been used effectively? You might want to consider camera angles, transitions and editing techniques. 

Yes, the technology was used effectively. There is an establishing shot at the beginning of the opening sequence to introduce the setting and create a theme that will be used throughout the entire movie. With the addition of the fog and leafless tree branches, we get a somber, ominous vibe from the setting. As previously stated, we are next greeted with countless close-up shots of the room decorations around Harlan's house which range from small dolls to statutes. A wide shot is then used to show off the living room and give us another taste of the setting. The wide shots allow us to follow a character we see that we don't know who they are yet. By seeing her with a tray we might think she is a maid. The over-head shot allows us to see what she is bringing Harlan which gives her a motive for walking around his house. A panning shot is used in Harlan's bedroom to show that he isn't in his bed where he is supposed to be. This may make the audience suspicious of what might have happened to him. we are next to hit with a close-up shot of the character's face to see her facial expression completely change after seeing Harlan's dead body.