The others essay The atmospheric thriller “ The Others” directed by Alejandro Amenáber is an incredible example of how to build tension and suspense in the modern media. In this essay we will look at three key scenes in the film that are perfect examples of how tension is built. The scenes are aa follows, the opening credits, I am your mother and the book of the dead scene. In these scenes we will look a how tension and suspense is built and used through the variety of methods and how that contrasts with the movie. ‘The others’ is about q family finding the dark truth about themselves after intruders appear and a strange trio of servants do as well. The opening credits Suspense and tension is first built in the opening credits. In the opening credit’s, non-diagetic sound is used incredibly well to build suspense and tension. The backing track and the voice over contrasts very well together in effectively in creating uneasiness and thus build tension. In the opening scene lighting (an example of mise-en-scene) as its lights foreshadows scenes and tells us that this will be a dark film. This is how Amená creates tension and suspense so effectively as he creates scenes that contrast and work so well together, like with the music feeling out of place and the light being lit by a dim candle. Little things we wouldn’t consider or even focus on work so well together in creating the suspense and tension and thus providing a much more enjoyable and creepy film for the audience. ‘I am your daughter’ scene In the ‘I am your daughter’ scene Amenáber uses two key elements of mise-en-scene. The first element used is in the custom that is used in this scene Ann is in an old dress and begins to play with her toys with eventually adds to building tension as the old lady then appears in the dress. This builds tension as the old lady sounds and speaks like the daughter (Ann) when she has physically changed. This works to creating and building tension and suspense. The second element of mise-enscene used is the lighting as the room were this scene takes place. In the room there is only one light source that illuminates the old creepy lady in the dress by having the light seem through parts of the dress to make the old lady visible. This builds tension by keeping the room dark and having only thing/object visible being the creepy old lady. Which helps to build tension by making the only thing visible in the scene something nerve-racking and downright creepy. Diagetic wound is also used very well as it builds tension and suspense with Anns humming and singing. The singing and humming makes for the scene to feel uncomfortable and is very creepy and unsettling manner. These three things I have discussed have all contrasted incredibly well to build and create tension and suspense at such a level, I would argue it to be one of the best scenes in the film. ‘The book of the dead’ scene In ‘The book of the dead’ scene Amenáber builds suspense and tension well. This done through mise-en-scene and with non diagetic sound. In this scene non-diagetic (sounds not on set) is used very well in the scene when building up tension in the background and this tells us that she may be in some kind of danger but as Bertha walks in it climaxes and the re-builds as she’s in the scene. This contrast with the rest of the scene exceptionally well in building tension and suspense. In this scene lighting an element of mise-en-scene is also used very well to build tension and suspense. Lighting in this scene is used to focus our attention on the book. This and the sound contrasts to create and build tension and creepy out the audience. Conclusion 1. The thriller ‘The others' by Alejandro Amenáber builds tension and suspense, beautifully and creates a film that is both enjoyable and nerve-racking. ‘The others' us about a family dealing with intruders until a massive twist reveals the truth about their family. To sum up all I have said this was a well created film that built and created suspense and tension incredibly well leaving the audience satisfied.
