DF - Technical Analysis

'The Grudge' (Shimizu, 2004)

0:40 - 0:48: Text appears on screen setting up the concept around which the film is based with typography that is conventional to a horror film. The text then fades away leaving one word ("curse") on screen which turns to red before fading away, putting empahsis on it and its implications in terms of the film.

0:48 - 0:54: More text appears for the same purpose as the previous shot, and when fading out the same effect used on the word "curse" is used for the word "death", giving further empahsis to these concepts as well as linking them.

0:54 - 1:03: Again text appears with the fade-to-red effect being used on the word "fury", again empahsising it and linking it to the other fade-to-red words. The use of the text also gives it connotations of legend and myth rather than just a human concept.

1:03 - 1:28: An establishing longshot reveals the location for the film as a modern, urban environment. One character is also shown suggesting that this may be the protagonist.

1:28 - 1:48: Another character is introduced in a medium close-up - a woman - and the dialogue between them tells us they are together. Shot-reverse-shots showing close-ups on the two's faces are then used. The man's non-verbal language suggests that he is not himself and this sets up inital mystery for the film.

1:48 - 2:05: The man throws himself off the building in a medium close-up and the camera switches to a point-of-view shot initially to show his descent while still giving no explanation to his actions, creating further mystery and tension. The woman also shows a shocked reaction with a close-up of her face, empahsising this notion.

2:05 - 2:17: A panning longshot showing the shocked reactions of the locals alongside the non-diegetic soundtrack further increases the mystery as well as creating a sinister tone.

2:17 - 3:42: Titles fade in and out of the screen in red and black colours, connoting blood and death with typography to suit this.