Film Trailer Analysis

The movie trailer "Mother" conforms to the typical conventions of a psychological horror movie. This idea is reinforced through the setting of the trailer, as it is set in a big house which is typical of films with this genre. This is because it creates a sense of realism for the audience, as it allows them to be able to relate to the normal setting of the film. This therefore increases fear, as the audience may picture themselves in the position of the victims. Asides from this, normal people are used in the trailer, which again allows the audience to relate to the film and draws them in. This links to the personal identity strand of Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifcation Theory, as the audience is able to personally identify with the characters as well as the setting which develops a relationship between them.

The trailer focuses on the everyday life of a couple. It begins with a woman, which is considered to be the protagonist of the film, waking up which allows the audience to be immediately introduced to her followed by her husband. It can be argued that the woman and her husband or partner are portrayed as characters with a happy life at the beginning of the trailer. Although, this does change at the end of the trailer which shows the protagonist screaming, crying and sweating, suggesting a change or disruption in the equilibrium of the film. This is emphasized through the use of editing in the trailer. As, the trailer starts off with long cuts which then quickly changes to shorter cuts with fast paced editing which is used to perhaps create and build suspense and tension. Fast paced editing is also used to display the highly dramatic moments of the trailer towards the end, leaving the audience uncertain and confused which will potentially make them want to watch the film when it comes out. As well as this, the trailer starts off with a linear structure which then progresses to a more non linear structure/narrative emphasizing on the disruption of the equilibrium.

Throughout the trailer, tracking shot is continuously used which allows the audience to develop a sort of relationship with the protagonist and to perhaps be empathetic or sympathetic towards her. The character of the protagonist also changes as the trailer progresses which is reinforced as the dialogue between her and her husband changes. This is exemplified as she starts to ask him a lot of questions, emphasizing on her established curiosity due to the unknown guests staying in her house.

Furthermore, a sense of mystery is created in the trailer through the use of low-key lighting which is very dramatic and mysterious. It is also used to perhaps isolate the protagonist from her husband, as unlike her, he does not seem to suspect anything when the unknown guests turn up at their house. This idea is also encapsulated through the use of music which is amplified as the trailer progresses. The trailer seems to have a melancholic and mysterious timbre, creating a sense of fear and mystery. As well as this, the music and the visuals of the trailer is said to be unsynchronised which has a sort of disorientating effect upon the audience and therefore acts as an enigmatic code. This means that the audience begins to question what they are seeing and have to watch the actual film in order to get their questions answered.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5109784/videoplayer/vi2921576729?ref_=tt_ov_vi