How is suspense created in the film you watched in class?

The Shining

Suspense is a key feature within a film which grips the viewer making them speculate about what may happen next. ‘The Shining’ does this through many different psychological ways.

The film hints events that have occurred in the past which will later relate to the film, this type of element keeps the audience constantly curious. The flashbacks that Danny sees as he cycles emphasises the mystery story that occurred in the hotel previously. Another key scene is when Jack enters room 237 and notices a beautiful women, this creates suspense as earlier the audience was sure that something horrific will happen as soon as Jack enters. As the scene develops Jack begins to kiss the women when suddenly she turns into a repulsive creature which consumes the viewers with suspense.

Shining hides other various types of suspense e.g. Danny who shares psychic abilities with the hotel's chef who calls it shining also develops tension within the audience. The camera work also has an effect as the frequent use of long shots throughout both the ‘Overlook hotel’ and its garden maze have a disorientating effect on the viewer. The scene where Jack is axing down the bathroom door and Wendy who’s constant screaming builds tension, shows Jacks head poke through the shattered door shouting ‘here’s Jonny’. This scene is arguably the best within the film as the viewer is held within suspense to see what happens next, surprisingly Wendy leaves within any injury.