Let me in

Let Me In

This establishing shot of a level crossing sets the tone of impending doom. Level crossings are associated with an element of danger and risk, the fact that the trailer starts with this frame could be proleptic of the films course. The frame is shot at night, making the lighting low key creating a mysterious ambiance. Then setting is snowy, suggesting that the weather is cold and it is winter time, during the winter the days are shorter and the nights longer meaning that there is more time for evil deeds to be conducted under the cover of darkness. Additionally, winter is a time when growth is stopped and nature is killed, this could symbolise the in this film some sort of death may take place in the film.

Here the two children are represented as innocent and pure, the snow could symbolise their guiltlessness, however it could also represent a façade, as snow has the ability to hide all imperfections. The use of a high angle shot makes the pair seem vulnerable and like they are being watched.

The use of low key lighting and a slim channel of light in this frame could represent the fact that the man being attacked on has a slim chance of survival. The establishing shot makes the victim look small and vulnerable, emphasising their position as the victim.

The use of choosing to show the emergency services adds to the rising action, it intrigues the audience and appeals to their curiosity as they will want to know what has happened that requires that many emergency services. The use of an over the shoulder shot enables the audience to see the action from the perspective of the person at the window. It also creates an enigma within the trailer as audiences will begin to question why the emergency services are necessary.

According to Freytag’s pyramid this would be a contribution to the rising action, the audience are presented with the puzzle of guessing who the person is who has been abducted and why they have been. The use of a close up could be a way of hinting at the audience to work out who it is, getting a closer look of the person would make it easier for them to work out who it is that has the bag on their head.

The snow is once again used as a symbol for disguise, the young girl jumps from a tree on to her next victim. The snow could be a link between the girl’s true intentions and her façade. A high angle shot is used to make her prey look vulnerable as looks as if he is being observed.

Here, a young girl here is represented as menacing and threatening. This contradicts the typical role of a female in a horror film, usually they are the victims fighting for their lives, but here we see a female trying to take someone’s life, which could be a USP to the film as it presents a different take on the genre. An extreme close up is used so that the audience can see her violent and aggressive expression. This part of the trailer contributes to the climax as the action that is propelling at a fast pace before the audience’s eyes.

Here the audience are presented with an enigma, why is there blood on the door and what does the door lead to? The percussion music, sound of trains and wailing create a confusing state mixed with short fast shots that leave the audience baffled by the chaos.

The title of the film has been placed over ice. Winter is the most dangerous and barren season, this could imply that the film focuses on subjects that result in some sort of danger. The fact that some of the shot is brightly lit and some is lit lowly could represent the binary opposites in the film, a common convention of horror films. The light behind the text looks as if it is in the shape of a knife, a common symbol in horror films, suggesting that there may be some sort of bloodshed in the film.