The Strangers- Opening Analysis (NEW INFLUENCE)

At the start of the film 'The Strangers', we instantly witness the production companies involved in the making of the film. 'A Vertigo Entertainment and Mandate Pictures production' appears in orange writing with a black background which outlines a clear view of what sort of film the viewer is in for. The music being played also adds to the tension and suspension of what genre the film is. The immediate dark background and spooky music adds the fear into the viewer.

 

With the same background and writing, a narrators voice is included into the opening by explaining that the events in the film is inspired by true events. This quote instantly adds the fear as it is placing in your mind that is not false and the following story in the film could happen in real life. It can also let the viewer relate to the story rather than a made up storyline which is unrealistic.

After the narration, we then see 30 seconds of filming in which it just shows a variety of houses which it sounds like is being filmed in a car. This puzzles the viewer as it does not particularly make sense as to what exactly is happening. The spooky music continues to play along with the sound of a car/truck driving, this again builds the tension of the film as the viewers continue to try and figure out what is happening.

The screen then goes black with the sound of a crying women on the phone to a police officer. As she begins to speak we see a shot of two young boys on bikes in the distance behind a car with a broken windscreen in the shape of a heart. As this is happening, the women is saying 'There are people here'. The women begins to panic and as the police officer asks questions, we witness the two boys entering a house. A variety of shots which include a playing record player, a knife with blood on it and blood marks on the walls. The character which seems to be called 'Jordan' says while crying 'Theres blood everywhere'. The screen once again goes black and the Title- 'The Strangers' comes up on the screen in the same orange writing and in all capital letters with the sound of wind. This leaves the viewer in uncertainty over what is going to happen in the film.