Saw 1 Trailer Analysis - Horror Movie Research

In this trailer, there is a slight link with Todorov’s theory of narrative, but overall it isn’t very clear. There is no period of equilibrium or a moment of disequilibrium in this trailer; it goes straight into the disequilibrium. However, with this disequilibrium, it adds more of a fear factor to the trailer and having a more intense and fearful feeling in the audience. In the trailer, we are shown some newspaper articles that are going at a fast pace, to increase the intensity, but this indicates the equilibrium in the trailer, also tells the narrative at the same time. Just the same as other trailers, this trailer has no new equilibrium, and the audience does not know what happens at the end, leaving them on a cliff hanger, making them want to go and see the film. This trailer also complies with Barthes Enigma Code by allowing the trailer to exit as a mystery, increasing the target audience and raising questions, making them want to know more and find out how it ends.

Also shown in this trailer is Props character theory, this is portrayed through the innocent victims being helpless and scared, which has an effect on the audience as we start to feel nervous as we are waiting to see what happens to the victims. The protagonist in the trailer is the police officer which linking to the character theory, he is the helper, as he tries to help and solve the mystery of what is happening to the victims. The masked puppet, named Jigsaw, is the antagonist, and linked to the character theory, he is the villain. Due to being behind a puppet, it keeps the true identity of the antagonist a mystery and draws the audience into watching more of the films, as Saw is a sequel.

Throughout the trailer, there are various different shots, editing techniques, camera angles and different ranges of non-diegetic and diegetic sounds that create a scary atmosphere in the audience.

Diegetic and Non-Diegetic sounds have been used in a variety of ways in the trailer. The high pitched rumbling noise of the non-diegetic sound is used to help build tension in the audience and also to build up the fear factor as well. The sound of chains in the trailer is the diegetic sound, also other sounds such as screams of innocent victims and clocks ticking adds the scare factor to the audience and giving it an eerie atmosphere. The unrecognisable voices in the trailer, which are not clear and understandable creates a fear of the unknown, making the audience want to watch the film, finding out more about the voices.

There are various different jump cuts in the trailer, these are used to create the suspension in the film and this makes the audience feel disorientated. Throughout the trailer, there is a lot of black screens which are on for a long time. This would make the audience feel uneasy as they have no clue what is happening and this create tension and suspension. It would also make the audience feel vulnerable and involved in the trailer.

Also, in the trailer, there are a lot of canted angles. These types of shots help create an alarming, uneasy atmosphere amongst the audience. As well as these shots, there are also a lot of close up shots which show the emotions and instability of the characters in the trailer, giving the scare factor to the audience, making them want to learn more and empathize with the characters.