Opening Credits: Psychological horror:

American Psycho (2000)- Opening Sequence:

I looked at the opening credits of 'American Psycho', a psychological horror made in 2000. I did this due to the fact one of the sub genres of our opening scene is a psychological horror, and wanted to look at it for inspiration and analyse different features of it.

The use of what firstly seemed to be blood droplets falling down against the light grey background (allowing them to stand out),  represents blood, foreshadowing events to come and showing that blood is involved within the film, relating to the theme of death. The use of  non diegetic ominous music playing in the background, along with possibly a sound effect as the red liquid drops to create tension. The music gradually picks up, becomes louder, uses a greater range of stringed instruments.

When the title of the film is presented a droplet splats down onto the table, again possibly blood or something else. However regardless again a representation of blood and death/ future events. Non diegetic music used, lots of stringed instruments

The blood then clears up to show a bold version of the title. The word 'Psycho' is slightly bolder than 'American'. Putting emphasis on it, representing how the main character is a psychopath. 

Another use of the red liquid, again showing blood. Non diegetic music used, classical/stringed instruments.

Now it is clear that the red liquid is perhaps not blood but something else, such as ketchup or another type of sauce. Regardless it is still symbolising blood and representing Patrick Batemans psychotic serial killer character. As it is made clear it is not blood the music becomes slightly more cheery and uplifting.

When the name of the actor who portrays Patrick appears, his murder weapon is shown, foreshadowing events once again. Continuation of cheery music, almost ironic as murder weapon is shown briefly.

Use of the knife cutting up the meat, again representing Christian Bales character killing people. Sound effect of knife chopping meat, as this happens the music becomes less cheerful, another representation of events to come.

Again use of the colour red to represent blood, swell as the use of an everyday food to gain the sense of normality. The music continues to have a darker tone and then begins to pick up and become more playful and joyful.

Diegetic sound of people conversing, again adding to the theme of normality. How the killer is able to blend in within society and not be suspected. Non diegetic music, more cheerful.

The way a thing meant to be pleasant such as a dessert, uses a red sauce as a representation of blood splatters or a pool of blood also adds to this.

The use of the fork plunging into the cake with the red sauce surrounding it, is a subtle representation of a killer murdering a victim.

 

                                              Evaluation:

• Overall the soundtrack used is very appropriate for the genre and creates tension.

• The use of foreshadowing is also very effective, the use of blood and the murder weapon allows for this.

• The colour red is used throughout the opening credits as a representation of blood which amongst the dull colours looks very good.

• Although it is very simple, it suits well to the genre, and has a good use of irony with the classical music playing.