Analysis of the opening sequence of "Seven" (1995) Directed by David Fincher

Textual Analysis
“Seven” 1995 David Fincher
Opening Sequence

       The scene opens with a loud trembling non-diegetic sound, whilst shadows flicker in the background. This creates a sinister and tense atmosphere, and builds up a feeling of suspense. The music slowly gets louder, again, building up an ominous atmosphere. The camera cuts to a high angle shot of a picture of a deformed pair of filthy hands, whilst a light slowly moves backwards and forwards. The light constantly illuminates the hands, revealing their grotesque state. This disturbing image builds up the sinister atmosphere, and foreshadows that the events will get worse. The camera quickly cuts to multiple images of an unknown person toying with unidentifiable objects adding a sense of mystery and intrigue. The dark lighting suggests this unknown figure is an incredibly sinister person, and the dirty objects indicate that they will be used for a darker purpose. The music gets increasingly louder, and an image of someone slicing off their fingertips creates an incredibly uncomfortable and confusing atmosphere. Again, the dark lighting and gruesome image foreshadows future events, indicating this person is trying to wipe away all traces of themselves, implying that they are a wanted criminal. Childish screams conjure up frightening images that makes the audience incredibly uncomfortable and sickened. Within a few seconds, the atmosphere has become unbearably sinister and horrifying. The use of fast pace editing disorients the audience, making them confused and frightened. A quick shot of what appears to be a photograph of a dead person, offers a glimpse of the horrors yet to come. This makes the audience anxious of what is yet to occur. Layered images, accompanied by strange music, again disorient the audience, and the quick pace editing creates a feeling of danger, urgency and panic. Illegible, black handwriting, builds up the mysterious and confusing atmosphere, whilst the low key lighting builds up a sense of fear and terror. The shot quickly turns a dark, stained red colour, indicating the presence of blood, implying violence and suffering. This adds to the tense atmosphere and keeps the audience in suspense.  Quick shots of dark, decrepit objects, link to other images of filth and gore, creating a theme of dirtiness, hinting at the vile deeds that will be carried out. The audience is constantly offered clues of what is going to happen, however, the dark lighting and fast pace of editing creates a sense of disorientation, making it hard for the audience to think clearly, adding to their state of discomfort. Scrawled out pictures of people, indicate a vendetta, and the need for revenge, hinting at future bloodshed and other violent acts. Overlapped images of unreadable writing add to the audience’s state of confusion, whilst the eerie music constantly builds upon the dark atmosphere. Quick shots of photographs of violent deaths, again, hint at future gore, whilst sharp items such as pins, indicates a sense of violence and even torture.