Textual analysis of thriller sequence 1

The Number 23 (link)

The narrative techniques used in this sequence is linear narrative and there are uses of restricted shots for example where Jim Carey the main protagonist see's the knife which the audience didn't know was there. The use of restricted shots also create enigma because it makes the audience feel intimidated about what's not actually shown in the scene. The Mise en Scene of the film is conventional of a thriller because of the use of dim lighting which creates a sense of mystery of what will be shown next. In the scene Jim Carey is shown in shadows connoting that there may be a presence of evil about him. This scene is set in a house in the city, this is set in the city because the audience can relate to reality and normality in which makes the audience feel more intimidated because the setting is nearer to them, for example this scene there are strange occurrences which takes place in an house.

The make-up worn by the protagonist Jim Carey were casual clothing like a t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms which again the audience can relate to because of the normality of the character. The sound in this scene links to the thriller genre because when the protagonist walks through the hall in to the kitchen the audience can hear faint non- diegetic sound like chanting which sounds like a church choir maybe implying something unholy may happen which then runs through. The sound then thumps when the light is put on this may misleading the audience making them think something make pop out and scare him. when the glass in Jim Carey's glass falls and he glances at his hand the music slowly builds up when he is standing alone in the shadows in which the audience see that he is about to stab his wife or girlfriend. The props used in this scene is a glass cup and knife. a knife usually connotes danger, death and violence. The camera shots used in this scene are mostly mid-shots, close-up shot, eye line shots and low angle shot. Mid-shot in this scene is used so that the audience can have enough understanding about the surroundings in which the protagonist is in. The close-up shots were used to see the state of Jim Carey's hand when it is bleeding. The camera focuses on his hand but the audience can also see his face in the background, this shot emphases that what has happened to his hand is important and link to the next scene from this shot the audience also see's a low angle shot giving the impression that he is superior and in control which makes the audience look up to him. there is an eye line shot used when the audience see Jim Carey turn and look at the knife and then we can see through his eyes which make the audience feel involved. The camera movement used in this was tracking where the audience follow him to the kitchen. The editing in this scene is continuality where everything is follows up from the last scene. There is also a jump cut in this scene where the audience see the protagonists cut his hand which jump cuts to a close-up of his hand.

Jim Carey being male is stereotypical of the thriller genre, he is represented as the protagonist because of his visual codes for example his casual clothing, however there is a red herring because of the use of dark and dim lighting which makes the audience feel that he is a antagonist making him seem villainous and evil when he glances at the knife. The film plays with the representation confusing the audience which leads to suspense questioning if he is a protagonist or an antagonist.