Gothika – Trailer

Analysis By Laura Ireland

Gothika is a 2003 supernatural horror film that was directed by Mathieu Kassovitz and starred Hallie Barrie and Robert Downey Junior.

Film DistributorsThe film is distributed by Warner bros and Dark Castle

Entertainment. Through the partnership of these two companies the audience is able to relate the film to their previous works as well as giving them an indication into the films genre. This can be seen through their other films such as, ‘Orphan’ and ‘Splice.’

GenreThe film opens with a shot of two characters having a conversation in an encaged setting with bars around them. This starts to create the genre of a physiological thriller as well as creating a feeling of entrapment for the audience. The idea of a psychological thriller is later emphasised through the use of an establishing shot introducing a mental institution.

TopographyThe title of the film is written in a white colour before it turns into a blood red creating ideas of the gothic. This is effective as the white acts as an indication for her innocence in the accusation of her murdering her husband and the contrasting red is reflecting of her growing insanity as she become more mentally unstable. The use of typography is written in a harshly etched a scratchy style which helps to convey the film genre of a psychological thriller.

Three Act StructureA complication in the trailer comes with the protagonist waking up “on the other side.” We see her world turned upside as she is shown behind a glass cage reflecting the feeling of entrapment at the start of the film. The use of text over the scenes shows the audience how this woman has progresses from what is “sane” and “rational.”

EditingThe use of a dark filter over the film also helps to create the genre as it is dark and foreboding. This foreboding feeling is also shown through the presence of a ghostly figure which causes the films protagonist to crash her car. This is then proceeded with a medium close up of an obscured figure before the uses of lots of quick cuts are used to build tension and create climax. This tension is concluded with a black out.

The continual use of obscurity throughout the film trailer generates audience intrigue as well as setting up a narrative enigma in which they want to uncover. The disjointed and fragmented editing of the trailer helps not only to convey the protagonist’s mental instability but also gives no clear indication as to how the clips fit together. As a result of this the audience is intrigued to watch the film and solve the mystery for themselves.