How Tension is created in 'Detachment'

By viewing ‘Detachment’ I personally found tension was successfully created throughout this thriller and the suspense was strongly built. ‘Detachment’ underlines an argument between a husband and wife to add tension and stress to a violent mans environment. We seek the unknown throughout and this video leaves the audience considering many matters and questioning the story. The directors use many methods to help build tension, for example:

 

The directors firstly introduce the thriller with close up shots of the characters facial expression to allow the audience to see his personality. The character stereotypically wears a hoodie and dark clothing; the audience could associate this with a dangerous or suspicious act. His facial expressions and gestures are powerful and directly intimidating towards the audience. His slow movements imply clear everyday routine, however suspiciously he doesn’t get changed properly and he doesn’t have breakfast. For the character himself, he treats his possession, for instance, the gun as a normal object and is not frightened by it or re thinking a decision. I personally found the audience automatically knows what’s going on inside his head from his strong gestures and facial reactions.

I feel the lighting used in this video is mostly at a low status, however sometimes the light increases, shadowing the characters facial expressions or his few possessions. The lighting implies distinct isolation and coldness to highlight the characters mood and inner emotions. The effect of lack of lighting is to make the thriller more intense and to create a sinister atmosphere.

The director uses many sounds effects throughout the thriller; for example, the argument between the husband and wife increasingly grows as their threatening tones become deeper and stronger, this is effective and builds tension as we can guess the argument is coming from another flat above or below the characters. The effect of the audience hearing police sirens, dog barking and cars driving past can highlights he lives in a noisy, unsettled environment and stress levels can progressively develop within the flat. The use of the low-pitched hip-hop song adds danger and uncomfortable pressure. By the directors demonstrating no sound from the main character, we don’t get distracted and can focus clearly on his movements and reactions.

 The location is very basic and simple, but the props are very beneficial as they could clearly be highlighting his personality or status. For example, as he only has few objects, this could show he doesn’t have much money or is unorganized. His flat is messy and many objects surround him.

From viewing this, I clearly understood the levels of tension and suspense within the atmosphere and the characters. The titles are subtly placed at appropriate times involving clear words but cleverly not distracting us from the main sequence. I felt the directors successfully achieved this and I liked the unknowing after plot as many members of the audience consider crimes. I individually believe he is going to commit a crime involving someone or something on the street. When I come to making my own thriller, I will be inspired by this particular film because of its successful tension.