Hostel Film Trailer Analysis

The media text I am analysing is a trailer from the horror film, Hostel. The camera, mise-en-scene, sound and editing, all work together to create a suspenseful atmosphere for the audience by showing them the main point of the film and giving the audience clues to what is going to happen.


The use of the camera is an important feature to create a tense atmosphere for the audience. First, there is an establishing shot of the dingy location, this makes the audience think about where it is and what is going to happen. It also creates a scary atmosphere for the audience, before even showing them the rest of the trailer. This is followed by a series of extreme close ups of dripping water, again helping to create an eerie atmosphere and shows the audience that the location isn’t hygienic, which makes the audience feel uncomfortable. Next, is a central shot of a male being tortured. The fact that it is centre framed means that it is in perfect view for the audience to see, almost forcing them to look at the screen. Then we see a high angle shot of some torturing tools. This gives the audience a good chance to see the tools and makes them wonder why they are there. This is then followed by another series of close ups and extreme close ups of people being tortured with tools. The fact that they are close ups means that the audience are being kept involved in the scene, making it more frightening to watch. Also the camera positions are fixed, again controlling the audience.


The mise-en-scene is also important in creating an unpleasant atmosphere for the audience. The establishing shot of the abandoned warehouse is an iconic element of the horror genre and automatically lets the audience know that this is a horror. The colours in the scene are dull and dingy, again adding to the eeriness. The lighting is low-key and there are many shadows. This could imply that there are secrets being hidden. There is a variety of weapons and masks that the characters use, which is again, iconic of the horror genre. A spotlight illuminates the male character being tortured. This shows that his is isolated and exposed.


The sound is another important element in the trailer. At the beginning of the trailer, there is a non-diegetic sound of drums and a low-pitched tone. As the action builds in the scene, so does the music, emphasising the suspense. There are also diegetic sounds such as screams and snipping of pliers, which have been heightened to emphasise how scary the situation is. The only dialogue in the while trailer is the word “Hostel” at the end. This is said in a menacing low tone. The fact that there is only one word of dialogue in the whole trailer, shows that you do not need speech to create a suspenseful atmosphere.


The editing helps create a suspenseful atmosphere. There is a montage of shots giving the audience clues and letting them imagine what is going to happen. The fast editing matches the action in the trailer and could imply the shear panic in which the victims are going through, making the audience relate to the victims. The black and white fades appear just at the right moment, before giving too much of the film away. Strobe effects are used to enhance the action. Negative effects are used to make the audience feel disturbed and uncomfortable.


Finally, the text is important in helping create suspense. The text appears to jump out at the audience, making them feel on edge. The sentences are broken down, so that it is easier to read and doesn’t interrupt the clips of the film. The font is simple and it has an overlay, which is a bit like peeling paint, this adds to the unhygienic setting.