Deconstruction: ‘The Last Exorcism Part 2’

• In ‘The Last Exorcism’ opening scene there are many conventions which help signify the genre of the film. Through the use of mise-en-scene, camera usage, sound and editing included in the intro of the film we are able to infer codes and conventions that represent the genre.

• The first point is that in the first few seconds of the film where we the scene is set with dull/grey colours. The establishing shot is an extreme long shot of the house and then a close up of a cacous   in the garden signifying possession as it suggests the presence of an evil spirit, emphasizing the fact that the genre of this film is possession/horror. The pace of the film is also very slow to begin with as each camera shot used lasts for a long time, in addition, the non diegetic music is of a piano that is slow paced and depressive. This would suggest that evil is lurking and that in the opening of the film there is an immediate build up of tension. To show that there are supernatural occurrences there is a medium close up of Jared in bed which allows the audience to see what is going on behind him. From this it shows something moving underneath the covers and him saying “Jesus, you’re freeing” which maintains the genre as being possession because the common representation of evil spirits is that they are cold as they have no soul.

• During the part where Jared runs into the bathroom, the film becomes more energetic and we start to see conventions of action. This has been represented through editing techniques as the shots become more fast paced when Jared gets scratched and the tempo of the film quickens. The sound parallels this by becoming louder, going from low key and slow to high sudden high itched sounds that don’t last long, for example people begin shouting in fear. From this point on the film is seen as scarier making the genre of this film a possession/horror. During this scary scene, the use of silence is a source of tension that makes the film a horror as it creates tension. By this there are diegetic sounds of the evil spirit breathing heavily breathing.

• Another convention which is used in the opening of the film is the use of intensity which is shown when Jared is slowly walking through his house to find the evil spirit. The use of camera angles show intensity as they differ to previous shots as more long shots are used to show the character, as well as the set. This has been used when we see Jared’s entire body and the corridor that leads to the kitchen where the pan is moving. This is done because it proves that the antagonist is nowhere to be seen. The use of editing also shows intensity because the shots last longer but then towards the end they become more fast paced. This is also like the sound effects as the music starts soft but finishes loud. Throughout this part of the opening the music is high pitched singing which has a religious edge to it (choir singing). Tension is released through false climaxes, such as Jared jumping out on his wife.