Opening Sequence Analysis of the movie 'Seven'

          
    As our genre is psychological thiller, I have decided to analyse the opening sequence of 'Seven' as it represents the main events that occur in a psychological thriller, in this case a serial killer and his gruesome crimes.
    It establishes the genre of the film by showing the works of the serial killer, the process of him planning his inhuman acts towards his victims. In the video we see him creating a scrapbook of crimes he has committed and crimes he will be committing throughout the movie. The serial killer is clearly the antagonist in the movie and with every antagonist there always has to be a protagonist. The audience immediatley know he is mentally deranged and psychotic.
    In this opening sequence, we are only introduced to the serial killer but not fully as we do not see his face, he is only introduced through his hands and what his intentions are. We see this through a point of view shot as we see through his eyes but we see the corrupt side of his plan whereas he obviously believes he is doing the 'right' thing.
    The story or narrative of the film is established through the opening sequence when significant small details of the serial killer's unlawful acts are shown, for example, when he is glueing graphic images of his victims being tortured or killed, into his scrapbook. We can assume the possible events that will occur throughout the movie, such as grotesque scenes showing how each victim is killed and how the police (protagonists) hunt down this serial killer before he captivates his other victims.
    This creates a suspense mood-like atmosphere for us especially as his identity is unknown. This construsts enigma as the opening sequence continues, persuading us to watch on. Tension is also devised due to the dim surroundings (low-key lighting) and dark colours, specifically black, which could be used to foreshadow the slow, excruciating deaths that will follow, which we can predict from the repulsive images of the serial killer's victims.
   At the beginning of the sequence, the non-digetic sound is slow paced which is building up the impact towards the end of the opening sequence which is more quick paced and alarming. In addition, the camera shots are more longer than in the middle and end of the sequence which is in sync with the sound as they both progress in speed throughout the sequence. The sounds are similar to that of a machine, like heavy steel chains rotating and initiating that creepy noise which usually symbolizes danger.
    The font of the titles shown in the sequence is similar to the handwriting of the serial killer when it shows him writing in his scrap book (at 1:14), it is quite unsteady which could represent how emotionally unstable and demented he is.
    The mise-en-scene in this sequence are disturbing as unhygienic conditions are shown through the serial killer's filthy fingernails and hands, however what is most tormenting is his evil behaviour which is displayed through his wicked scheme by various actions like scraping the skin off his fingernails and flicking through images of victims, one with a iron rod through his head.