Analysis of "Zodiac" Thriller Opening By Harry McHale

Zodiac

The Male Character is probably not the protagonist

She Supports the femininity stereotype

Enigma building up for the spectator

The thriller opening begins with an establishing shot and non-dietetic sound. There is a cut to a scene where the character appears to be in a car which is driving along a street as you can see a series of houses pass by through the car window. The lightning is very dark which is suitable for a thriller opening, however at this point in the sequence it isn't clear that it's a thriller. The car stops outside a house where we are introduced to the first character. The character is male and various aspects of his clothing are dark however his costume as a whole doesn't suggest that he is a protagonist. He runs over to the car (MS) and the two characters exchange dialogue (on-screen dietetic sound). There is a shot/reverse shot between them which allows us to view the female character. She supports the femininity stereotype as she has blonde hair, is wearing makeup, attractive, and her clothing is suited for a female stereotype. Her body language could be portrayed as suggestive and sexual as she is inviting the male character into the car with her.

The car pulling into a very isolated and dark setting.

The camera pans the car as it drives away and there is a cut to the male and female characters approaching a restaurant, the non-diegetic sound is replaced by diegetic sound such as foley sounds of car horns beeping as the environment they're in becomes busier. The female character seems to become uneasy and uncomfortable through her body language and facial expression whilst driving through the restaurant car park which creates the mood appropriate for a thriller text as it builds enigma for the spectator as they wonder what is suddenly wrong with her.

The spectator and characters are both shocked.

The female character behaving in a flirty manor.

The scene cuts to the car pulling into a very isolated and dark setting. This is an appropriate setting for a thriller genre because it gives a sense of a spooky atmosphere and hints that something sinister could happen here as its very quiet with no one else around. Diegetic sound of music in the car is playing, and the characters exchange more dialogue where the male character says to the female character "You seem weird", and there is a shot/reverse shot sequence. This constructs an appropriate mood for a thriller text as the female character isn't acting normal by pulling up in a dark, isolated setting and the male characters facial expression looks confused and slightly scared. There is a cut to two other cars nearby and there's diegetic sound coming from them. The fact that there are other people create suspense and a sense that something sinister could happen which builds to the enigma and leaves the spectator waiting for something to happen.

Male character is angry as he directs abuse at the culprits

The female character is portrayed quite provocatively through her body language as she is touching the male character in a flirtatious manor. This is another stereotype of women being over sexualised. The fact that the male character is acting uncomfortable towards the female characters behavior suggests that she is not acting normally, changing the mood and atmosphere for the spectator as they can sense that there is a reason for her odd behavior, building enigma.
Suddenly, fire works appear at the car window with on-screen diegetic foley sound to go with it, making both the characters and the spectators jump. This is appropriate in thriller sequences to create the mood and to shock and surprise the spectator as they don't know it's coming. The male character's facial expression is shocked and angry and he shouts abuse at the people in the cars (on-screen diegetic sound) which leaves the spectator fearing for the male character that the group of people who set the firework off will retaliate, building suspense; however they drive off and the characters laugh together (on-screen diegetic sound).
The opening works because it includes the ingredients needed to make a thriller opening such a iconography. Suitable iconography has been used in this opening of 'Zodiac'. Also, elements of mise en scene such as dark lighting/coloring and dark, isolated settings have been used to create the atmosphere and mood for a thriller. Other elements such as facial expression, and body language with the use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound have been used to build enigma for the spectator through-out the opening.