Thriller analysis

Flightplan

The title of the film is introduced which is embedded into an image of a yellow train and an unknown woman. High key lighting is used to highlight to the viewer that she is in a significant place. The yellow train serves an important purpose; it connotes that she has just arrived from somewhere or is possibly heading to a specific destination. The yellow colour also contrasts with the dark, bleak surroundings of the train station, perhaps symbolising the last remaining shred of positivity or hope left in her life. The train station in this scene is completely secluded, this is unusual and so leads the viewer to ask further questions. Furthermore, she is wearing black, which epitomizes the thriller genre, suggesting a dark secret or possibly a death. The shot used in this image is a mid-shot of her back which introduces mystery and suspense into the scene. This also suggests that she has turned her back on something that is bothering her, perhaps implying that she is trapped in a harmful situation. The fact that her back is turned could possibly suggest that she isn't willing to face what is bothering her yet.

The opening of the film goes on to switch between the scene at the train station and a scene at an unknown hospital. This creates further suspense and leaves the viewer wondering why the location is constantly altering, again linking with the typical theme that runs throughout the thriller genre: mystery. Non diegetic sound used in this scene includes slow music to contribute to the mysterious atmosphere.

As the opening progresses, the camera pans to the woman inside a house; the camera pan is included to suggest that she is being watched. Within this scene, the woman wishes to sleep with her child and share a room: implying her fear of upcoming danger and her apparent desire to protect her child, she is clearly living in fear. The woman strokes her hand over her child's face; marking protection and defence. Outside the safe, warm surroundings of the house, the view of dark pavements soaked with rain, lit only by street lights can be seen from the bedroom window. This use of pathetic phallacy contributes to the already dark atmosphere. Low saturation and low key lighting is used throughout the opening.

Limitless

The opening scene commences with a close up of a metal door and diegetic sound of loud banging against it. The door is damaged showing aggression and violence. The scene opens with dramatic noise in order to immediately grab the viewer's attention and leave them wanting more. The camera then pans across a room where men are lying motionless on the floor in suits: implying that they are injured or dead. This immediately adds mystery to the scene; the viewer is instantly left wondering what happened to them and is eager to find out more. These factors effortlessly contribute to creating the typical atmosphere of a thriller film. The men are shown in suits to represent power and authority, showing them as possible business men or entrepreneurs.  

After this, the camera pans up a high scale building; suggesting that the location is a city and establishing the surroundings for the viewer. The camera continues panning until it finally fixes on a man standing at the very edge of the building, his feet dangling off. This engages the viewer and adds further mystery to the scene; the viewer is left wondering why he wishes to jump. The low key lighting within this shot focuses on just one side of his face; perhaps suggesting that he has something to hide and is not entirely pure. As the camera focuses closely on the man's face, the viewer can also notice his red, bloodshot eyes; suggesting that he may have been crying, possibly portraying his frustration or sorrow. The diegetic sound within the scene includes dialogue coming from the man at the edge of the building. Police sirens can be heard from down below, extenuating the sheer danger of the situation, then the sound of gun fire can be heard as the camera pans to a smashed window, this shows the ongoing threat within the scene.

Then follows a POV shot from the man's point of view as he throws himself off the building. Typical city surroundings can be heard and seen below such as lit windows in apartment blocks and the sound of sirens and ongoing traffic. The title of the film is then shown and is embedded into an image of a typical city street: taxis, shops, skyscrapers and pedestrians. The camera then pans through a row of taxis, cars and people until it reaches an entirely new destination, away from the previous city scene. The new location tells the viewer that the film is progressing onto its next chapter where many questions will be resolved.