Opening Sequence Analysis -What Lies Beneath

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement
In the opening sequence of ‘What Lies Beneath’ the camera seems to be floating through grim, foggy and murky water creating an eerie and creepy feel. A close up shot is used on the woman in the bath as she releases her head from under the water. This shot allows the audience to capture the image of her head underneath the water where her face looks grotesque, patchy and near-death. It also allows viewers to notice the water spiraling around her head before she gasps for air; the circular motion implies suffocation. A long shot is used to show the mise en scene of the bathroom with the woman soaking in the bath. Medium shots are predominantly used, focusing on the female protagonist. The medium shots establish that she is in a bathroom but does not show too much of her surroundings which creates an enigma. The camera zooms in on the protagonist, portraying her significant role in the film. The medium shot shows the woman using the hairdryer on the steamy mirror, the camera then pans to the woman’s face to show her state of frustration when the appliance stops working. A close up shot of the woman’s hand going to switch the plug on/off is vital as it clearly shows the label on the appliance with a diagram explaining that using a hairdryer in a bathroom should be avoided. Consequently, an electric shock is produced. The fact she is using it shows she is careless and prepares the audience for upcoming trouble as well as the fact that she continues as if the electric shock isn’t a problem or going to repeat itself.

Sound
The non-diegetic soundtrack is an orchestral piece which is conventional of a thriller genre. The piano notes played are constant and make the audience feel as though something horrifying may happen. The violins are high pitched, similar to a screeching sound, disturbing the viewer. Also, a howling sound is stimulated to sound ghost-like giving a chilling effect on the audience. Towards the end of the orchestral piece, the sound increases in volume with what sounds like whispers. The whispers aren’t clear to understand which creates tension and grabs the audience’s attention. The diegetic sound of the woman gasping for air after raising her head out of the bath makes people wonder why as it’s quite abnormal for a bath to have that effect on you when usually it is to relax you. She sighs as if she is relieved further provoking the audience to want to know what happened because they feel as though they’re not being told everything. The diegetic sound of the water dripping, splashing and flowing in the bath is heard very clearly and is focused on a lot. It suggests that water will play a great role in the film later as the credits were under water and the woman was shown in the bath.

Editing
Slow cuts are used during the credits of ‘What Lies Beneath’ placing emphasis on the intense music and foggy graphics. The next cut is deliberately long for the viewer to absorb as much of the mise en scene and narrative plot as possible because not a lot is given away. It flows smoothly into the next cut, which is fairly long focusing on the significance of the hairdryer, which is clear when the next cut is abrupt, showing the power shortage. It quickly cuts to the protagonist’s face showing her shocked reaction.

Mise en Scene
There is a murky lake shown during the credits insinuating it could be of great importance in the film later on. This slowly sets the scene for the viewer and puts them on edge already at the beginning of the film. The dark, grim, dreary lighting of the lake scenery contrasts with the bright lighting and white background of the protagonists bathroom. Everything in the bathroom appears to be neat and tidy implying she's an organised and clean person. Other connotations of white suggest she is a pure, innocent stable woman. However, white is associated with hospitals, doctors, and sterility which could be a hint for connection in the later parts of the film. Another implication for the colour white is ghosts which could also foreshadow later events. The steam in the bathroom could possibly suggest an upcoming whilst the hairdryer symbolising the characters fight against it. The bath in which she is in symbolises death as it is coffin shaped and is also a confined space.

Characters
The woman is clearly the protagonist as the camera focuses on her a lot. Her being naked could symbolise vulnerability and her exposure to danger throughout the rest of the film. She seems to generally be associated with danger as she is using an electrical appliance in the bathroom where it shouldn’t come in contact with water.

Locations
The first two minutes roughly, is filmed in one location, the bathroom. The bathroom seems to be a tranquil, calm place until the hairdryer fuses a spark and it alarms the protagonist.

Narrative/Plot
What lies beneath is a narrative based film. We realize this because the audience learns nothing about the characters from the first couple of minutes from the scene, but from the mysterious momentary power out-age and electric shock from the mains switch, the viewer realises that danger is brooding.

Themes
Electrocution, suffocation, lake, suspense, thriller, horror, mystery, bath tub, drowning,

Visual Style
What Lies Beneath has an individual style as the title ‘What Lies Beneath’ is screened in a simmering water effect way.

Genre
It's clear that the genre is thriller because the opening sequence of What Lies Beneath sticks to the conventions of a thriller film and creates enigma. Eg. Naive, vulnerable woman alone.