How effectively does the director use cinematic techniques to build tension in ‘The Skeleton Key’?

‘The Skeleton Key’ is a film that was made in 2005. The films genre is horror and the title does suggest to the audience that it is going to be frightening. Iain Softley, the director, brings a devastating darkness to the way it is filmed with his ingenious use of cinematic techniques. The stars of the movie are renowned actors such as Kate Hudson, who plays the naïve, blonde, Caroline, Gena Rowlands who plays the malevolence, elderly, Mrs. Devereux; John Hurt portrays a helpless Ben (Mr. Devereux). And finally the scheming Luke who is the Devereux’s lawyer, played by Peter Sarsgaard. The acting is of a very high standard and actors portray their character in a very believable way and this helps build tension in each scene very effectively.

The general overview of the plot is that a carer goes into someone’s house to look after what is to be believed to be an ailing, dying elderly man, Ben. However, the carer, Caroline is suspicious about Ben and as the story unfolds she finds out the real reason why Ben is ‘sick’.

There are several connotations of the title, ‘The Skeleton Key’. The word ‘skeleton’ suggests elements of evil, darkness and intimidation. This idea sets us up for a frightening journey. Skeletons are usually identified as terrifying creatures that normally jump out and frighten us without warning.  The ‘Key’ suggests the idea that something is unlocked within the film, and that we can find out the answer to a mystery by unlocking the information. As the slogan of the film suggests, “Fearing is believing”.

The main character in the film is the young blonde carer, Caroline. Caroline is from New Jersey and is very different from the citizens of the house. When she turns up at the Devereuxs’ house she is driving a very modern and vibrantly coloured Beetle. In contrast the house is very old fashioned and badly in need of repair. It is eerie imposing and looks very much like a typical haunted house. This immediately gives us a sense that something is going to happen. Caroline is extremely curious about the occupants of the house and the events which occur whilst she is there, however, it is her curiosity which ultimately leads to her dilemma and downfall. This curiosity is heightened as it coincides with the loss of her father.  This is her incentive to stay in the house even when mysterious things begin to happen. All the other carers left as soon as the strange things began happening.

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There are three distinct themes running throughout the movie. The first is the magical art of Hoodoo. Hoodoo is a magical practise; it is different from Voodoo, which is actually a religion. Caroline comes across the magic when she first goes into the attic and finds all the Hoodoo material, but only when her friend explains to her what it actually is, does she really understand the culture of it all. It is considered to be magic mainly because some of the Hoodoo herbs can only be grown in the southern part of America.  People believe that this area ...

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