PRIMARY RESEARCH - FILM SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

PRIMARY RESEARCH - FILM SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

FILM TITLE: The Ring

SEQUENCE TIME CODE: 47:20-53:20 

SOURCE: DVD 

(Image 1) The mother is in the bedroom of her child whilst the minor music and rain can be heard in the background. This foreshadows the appearance of  Samara and the child being found watching the tape. 

(Image 2) As the water is poured, the rain continues in the background, symbolising danger involving water. After the water has been poured, the shot lingers and continues to focus on the jug strengthening this theory. Water occurs in some Asian myths and can be linked to spirits such as Onryo aka the vengeful spirit. The phone also reminds the audience of the danger as that is the origin of the threatening voice which says seven days.

(Image 3) The choking on the water shows the impending threat from Samara, who is seeking revenge for her drowning in the well. The shot following this emphasises the glass of water. Comment on the link to Dark Waters film.

(Image 4) The electrode of  an old EEG was pulled out of Rachel's throat during her choking session. The electrode is one that was used on Samara when she was alive and this is her way of seeking revenge, by inflicting her suffering on others.

 

(Image 5) The water begins to dribble out of the phone as a warning that Samara is nearby. Also, the phone combined with the water is linked to the voice that says seven days and it is linked to Samara herself.

(Image 6) Samara appears in the child's bedroom and this symbolises her hunger for revenge by forcing the boy to watch the tape. The water around her is to indicate that she has come  from the well in which she died. Her appearance reminds Rachel of her impending doom.

(Image 7) The animal-like and supernatural behaviour causes the spectator to feel scared because the behaviour is inhumane and therefore unpredictable. The patches of rotting flesh remind us of the fact that Samara is dead and tat she spirit remains vengeful.When her arm makes contact with Rachel's, she plants memories of her suffering in Rachel's mind.

(Image 8) Rachel wakes up believing it is a dream but is reminded that Samara has supernatural powers which left an animal-like mark on her arm. After realising that it was real, Rachel remembers the danger and rushes to check on her son who is sat watching the tape after being forced by Samara.

(Image 9) The faces of the characters in the photos have now blurred to symbolised that they have been cursed as a direct result of seeing/experiencing Samara's spiritual hauntings.