The Happening Analysis

The Happening is a thriller based in real time that focuses on unexplained yet extremely powerful forces that cause the victims to lose control of them leaving themselves wide open to horrific self harming actions that result in their own death. It has a plot that slowly unravels and reveals both how and why these events are taking place whilst making it extremely clear of the effects. Doing this created a sense of mystery and confusion whilst maintaining both thriller and horror aspects of the film.

As you can see with the shot above, not a lot has been revealed. From first glance you see what appears to be a close family holding on to each other with shocked, scared and upset expressions creating mystery and confusion. The background however appears almost entirely empty

Setting the scene in a town or city, this also adds confusion as the streets of a city are usually filled with pedestrians. Where is everyone? What’s happening?  These are questions that come to mind when I see this poster and because of that it is clear that the right emotions and reactions for this genre have been made apparent to the audience.

The film begins with a stop motion shot of the clouds passing by combined with a non-diegetic soundtrack that connotes sadness and mystery. Both piano and the harp are used to build up tension suggesting, perhaps a bad forecast/omen. The title eventually appears centre screen, in a big, bold white font drawing in the attention of the audience and the sound of wind creeps in. A violin slowly enters creating more tension and layers to the soundtrack which again suggests a bad omen is approaching.

It could also be said that the soundtrack has been synchronized with the clouds which also has a mysterious and eerie effect.

The next shot depicts an entirely ordinary, average day in what appears to be central park. A long shot is used to show the contextual surrounds and makes it clear that, for the moment, the day is normal. The wind is then brought back suggesting that something is about to happen. The camera then focuses on two blondes sitting on a bench talking about there day, everything is still normal until one of the women hears a scream, after this more of these unconventional screams are herd. The shots then become increasingly fast paced and sudden suggesting something’s not right. Reaction shots of the woman depict Confusion and fear to the audience making them feel uncomfortable and agitated. There is then a close up of the other blonde, she has a blank facial expression and then starts to speak, the dialogue is fragmented and unclear adding to the confusion.

The women then reaches for something, a high angle shot is used to show the weapon, the sound of drums are then brought in which seemed like an intertextual death march  creating a sense of fear and terror until eventually she drives it into her neck. This is actually shown as the film doesn’t focus on blood and gore like a tradition horror, it focuses on playing on the viewers emotion and successfully provoking a reaction making it a great addition to the thriller genre.