Analysis of the film ‘Psycho 1997’ the shower scene.
This shot is a close up, showing the killer and the weapon used by the killer. The rule of thirds is used here, as the killers face is in the centre of the screen, but is masked by her hair, and the water from the shower hides the face of the killer as well, which adds a sense of mystery as we don’t know who the killer is, also as the lighting is coming from behind him/her, this leaves the killers face completely in darkness, but also adds a silhouette like figure. As the water blocks the killers face, it is like we are seeing it from the victims eyes, P.O.V. (point of view). which makes us feel as if we are ‘there’ as if we are the ‘victim’. The lighting in the shot, completely highlights the weapon (knife) so it will draw our attention to it. Down on the corner of the killers arm, it seems to me that there is blood on his/her, which may be from another victim, which adds tension, and adds more mystery, to add to the whole disguise of the killers identity. The mis-en-scene is important, as the costume of the killer, is very mysterious, and dark to hide the identity of the killer. The golden mean, is used as well, as the knife is highlighted in the left corner. The body language shows violence and aggression as it looks as if the killer has pulled back to knife, as he/she is about to drive the knife into the victims body.
To conclude I think this still can tell the audience a lot about the killer, and what is about to happen, but it also adds a lot of mystery and suspense.
Shower Still. Mid/Close shot and two shot.
This is a mid/close shot, as it shows the face of the victim, but then the top half of the killer in the back ground, which makes this a two shot. You can see the killer behind the shower curtain, buts its not very clear, which once again adds a sense of mystery and tension, as you don’t know what is going to happen. The shot uses the rule of thirds as you can see the victim and the movement of the killer in the background. the mis-en-scene is important as you can see the victim in the shower, and the killer in the background, but the killer is hidden by the shower curtain. The body language of the victim shows that she is innocent and has no idea that the killer is behind her, but as the killer is moving so slowly, and sneakily, this gives the audience a sense of urge as they want to find out who is behind the curtain. The lighting is coming from the top of the shower head, which lights up the victim, but as yet again hidden the killer in darkness, which adds mystery and suspense.
To conclude I think this still can tell you a lot about what is about to happen, such as the killer is creeping up in the background, and the victim has no idea which, adds a tremendous amount of tension, and fear for the victim.
Knife still. Birds-eye shot and two shot.
This is an birds-eye shot of the victim being stabbed by the killer, this shot shows that the victims is helpless, as she tries to fight off the killer. This is also a two shot, showing the killer and the victim. We can see here that the killer has already attacked the victim, and she is in much pain. you could say the the golden mean is used here, as the victim is in the corner of the shot. Once again the killers identity is hidden, mainly by the hight of the camera ‘shot’ but also by the shower curtain rail, this once again adds mystery as we still don’t know who the killer is, even when the murder is being committed. How the victims, holds onto the killer’s hand, gives us a sense of struggle, as there may still be some life, in her to fight back. Mis-en-scene is very important, as we can see the knife being driven into the victim. The body language in this scene shows violence and aggression, and that the killer, is going all out to do the job properly. The body language of the victim, shows that she is fighting for her life, literally. Which adds to the suspense of the scene. This is one of two birds-eye shots, which really shows the audience how weak and powerless the victim is. The lighting of the shot, is coming from the ceiling, so basically where the camera is, which highlights the whole of the bath tub, and everything that is going on in it.
To conclude i think this still can tell you a lot about how weak and helpless the victim is compared to the killer.
To conclude, I think that this particular scene, has a more horror like sense to it than a thriller, as it is quite bloody and shocking. I think that the scene really does well in hiding the killers identity, which adds to the suspense and mystery. Which is the thriller part of the scene. Overall having watched this scene, i think the rest of the movie, does well, in fitting the thriller genre.
