Trick ‘r Treat

Here the audience are presented with a regular Halloween, according to Freytag’s triangle this would be the exposition of the film. The fact that the shot is in black and white could represent a Halloween from the past, showing the audience a contrasting time from the one that is going to be shown in the film. The children here are presented as happy, which will most likely contrast the children in this film as it is of the horror genre.

The female character here conforms to that of typical females in the horror genre, she is alone in the shot making her look isolated and vulnerable and the scared expression across her face makes her appear afraid. She is also very attractive, compliant to the usual convention of the male gaze used in horrors. Here the film also appeals to another type of audience, intellectual puzzle seekers, the audience are presented with an enigma, who is the girl screaming at?

The fast succession of shots and intense stringed music create confusion for the audience, mirror the perception of the character’s in the film. According to the theory of equilibrium, this section of the trailer contributes to the rising action approaching the climax. This establishing shot with pumpkins in the background creates a mise en scene of Halloween, the central character is masked and has their hood up, adding a sense of mystery to their identity, once again appealing to the puzzle seeking audience as they may try to debunk who it is before their identity is revealed.

The fact the house is shown in low key lighting compared to the house next to it that is shown in bright light implies that the house may be where the climactic action takes place. The fact that the tree has caused a division between the two houses could indicate that the house is essentially isolated or unconnected from the rest of the street. The Darkness of the shot and because the house is in the shadows symbolises that this is the place where the horrific action will occur.

The fact that the knife is central to the frame indicates to the audience that it may play a pivotal role in the action. The use of chiaroscuro on the man’s face could show that he has a hidden intension. The use of a two shot establishes the relationship between the pair.

This is the climactic action of the trailer, according to the theory of equilibrium this is the point of highest intensity. The low angle shot and low key lighting create an enigma as the audience is unable to see properly who it is at the top of the stairs causing havoc. The low angle shot also make the audience feel inferior as it makes the central character powerful and in control.

The high pitch stringed music and the quick secession of shots create a disorientating experience for the audience, adding visceral pleasure to the trailer. In this particular still the audience are presented with the stereotypical role of women in horror films, she looks scared and in pain, suggesting that she is being perused by the evil force.

Here the audience are presented with a contradictory representation of children, usually on Halloween children are present as happy and excited, additionally in horror films they are usually represented as innocent victims. However, here the use of low key lighting and dark costumes present these trick or treaters as sinister characters with harmful intentions

The name of the film is shown in traditional Halloween colours. The background looks like a pumpkin due to the two glowing lights, the black text contrasts to the orange background; it’s presented in a font that looks as if it has been written by children, maybe implying that children are the villains in this film, creating other enigma for the audience. The text is blurred and distorted, this could symbolic of the distorted view that the characters may have during the film.