Nocturnal Animals is a movie that was released in 2016, directed by Tom Ford. It tells the story of a woman named Susan, who is struggling to come to terms with her past and the choices she has made. The opening scene is a powerful and suspenseful one, and it sets the tone for the rest of the movie. In this article, we'll explore the opening scene of Nocturnal Animals and how it sets the scene for the rest of the movie.
The Opening Scene
The opening scene of Nocturnal Animals starts with a shot of a woman, Susan (Amy Adams), who is walking through a dark and lonely road. We then see her driving in her car, clearly in a state of distress. The camera then follows her as she drives through a wooded area, and eventually pulls into a gas station. As she's walking out of the station, she hears a strange noise and turns to see a mysterious figure in the shadows. This figure is revealed to be Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal), and he quickly becomes the focus of the movie.
The Symbolism of the Scene
The opening scene of Nocturnal Animals is filled with symbolism. Susan, who is driving through the wooded area, is clearly in a state of distress and anxiety. The dark, lonely road she's driving on is symbolic of her inner turmoil and her struggle to come to terms with her past. The mysterious figure she sees in the shadows is a symbol of her unresolved issues and the choices she has made in life. The fact that she is driving through a wooded area is also symbolic of the idea that she is on a journey, and that she is searching for something.
The Music in the Scene
The opening scene of Nocturnal Animals is also set to a hauntingly beautiful score. The music is composed by Abel Korzeniowski, and it is both eerie and strangely beautiful. The music helps to set the tone of the scene, and also serves to add to the suspense and mystery that the opening scene creates. The music also helps to build the tension in the scene, and as the scene progresses, the music becomes more intense and dark.
The Cinematography in the Scene
The opening scene of Nocturnal Animals also features some stunning cinematography. The camera follows Susan as she drives through the wooded area, and the shots are both eerie and beautiful. The shots of the wooded area are filled with shadows and darkness, which helps to create a sense of isolation and unease. The shots of Edward in the shadows also help to add to the mystery of the scene.
Themes in the Scene
The opening scene of Nocturnal Animals is also filled with themes of regret, guilt, and loss. Susan is clearly struggling to come to terms with her past and the choices she has made in life, and the opening scene serves to set up these themes for the rest of the movie. The themes of regret and guilt are also explored throughout the movie, as Susan struggles to come to terms with her past.
Conclusion
The opening scene of Nocturnal Animals is a powerful and suspenseful one, and it sets the tone for the rest of the movie. The symbolism, music, cinematography, and themes all contribute to the feeling of unease and suspense that the scene creates. The opening scene also serves to set up the themes of regret and guilt that will be explored throughout the movie. It is a powerful and captivating opening scene that will draw viewers in and make them want to watch the rest of the movie.
