Analysing Horror Genre Opening Sequences - 'Hereditary'

The fourth opening sequence from the horror genre I am going to analyse comes from 'Hereditary' directed by Ari Aster.

The film opens with a slow camera pan accompanied with sinister non-diegetic music which immediately creates an uncomfortable atmosphere and hints at someone potentially watching. The camera movement and editing is very slow (consisting of long takes) further creating tension for the audience. Long takes and slow, creeping camerawork is a typical feature of horror films as the intended effect is to scare and unsettle the audience, creating tension and anticipation by making the audience wait for a reveal.

The camera then slowly dollies-in on a doll's house, a typical prop used in horror films because they are associated with children who are conventional characters types within the genre. This also suggests that some other force is in control of the characters and their lives. As the camera continues to very gradually zoom or dolly-in, further building suspense, the sinister non-diegetic music continues to play throughout, building in volume and intensity. 

As the camera continues to zoom in, the director uses a clever editing transition so that the room in the doll's house becomes the character's actual bedroom, as the father brings in a suit for a funeral. This hints at a common theme within the genre; death.

As the action moves outside, the director continues to use slow creeping camerawork, this time a tilt down, to reveal the mother sitting waiting in the car. Again, as is typical of the horror genre, these slow camera movements give the illusion that the characters are being watched by some malevolent force.

These slow camera movements continue inside the funeral home, as the camera slowly pans around the mother as she delivers her eulogy, and are coupled with low-key lighting and creepy non-diegetic music to reinforce a sense of dread and menace.