Case Study of Conventions

Case Study 1: Gone Girl (2014, David Fincher)

• Keeps the audience on edge through restricted perspective (we only see Nick and Amy’s view).

• Close-ups and silent or eerie music make tension feel real.

• Audience feels uncertainty and suspense.

• Explores social issues: media manipulation and people presenting a false “perfect” image.

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Case Study 2: Black Swan (2010, Darren Aronofsky)

• Story is told from Nina’s perspective as she loses control, creating psychological tension.

• Dark sets, mirrors, tight shots make viewers feel trapped in her mind.

• Sound (heartbeat, music) increases anxiety.

• Shows real-life pressures: perfectionism and career-related stress.

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Case Study 3: The Girl on the Train (2016, Tate Taylor)

• Uses an unreliable protagonist to keep the audience guessing.

• Fast cuts, flashbacks, and visual cues create suspense.

• Tension comes from the story and character perspective, not action.

• Explores relatable social struggles like trauma and addiction.

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Common Conventions Across All Three

• Suspense & tension: audience doesn’t get all the info at once.

• Restricted/subjective perspective: story is seen through the character’s eyes.

• Psychological focus: tension comes from the mind, not action.

• Moody settings: shadows, dim lighting, tight spaces.

• Sound design: music, silence, or amplified sounds create unease.

• Twists/open endings: keeps audience thinking or unsettled.

• Social representation: real pressures like career, relationships, trauma, or societal expectations.