Suspense

What is suspense? Suspense is where we feel uncertain about something but we show excitement, fear or nervousness towards it. Sometimes it can be predictable and cliché. However, it isn't always like this.

In the film 'North by Northwest', there is a famous scene where the main character, Roger O. Thornhill (played by Cary Grant) is standing alone on the side of a deserted road. Alfred Hitchcock, the director of the 1959 film, wanted to think outside the box and use suspense. He didn't want to use clichés but he wanted to get audience thinking. In the short clip below, Roger is standing alone waiting for the bus at a bus stop in a deserted area; the audience’s first instinct is that he will get shot. Hitchcock also states this. He also states that he’s chosen an unusual setting because again he doesn’t want to go for something cliché like a town or city.

       



At 0:24 Roger sees a plane in the distance dusting crops

 

At 1:55, a mysterious car turns up. The audience expected reactions is “Something bad is going to happen.” A man then gets out the car. Maybe he’s a murderer? Suspense is built because we think something bad is going to happen. In the end, we are put at ease. The guy is just a genuine guy that’s catching the bus. He has a little conversation before the bus comes and picks him up.

 

At 0:25 in the second video, the plane can be seen again. Roger looks into the distance, oblivious to what’s about to happen next.

At 0:30, the plane gets closer and closer, the gets the audience on the edge of their seats. The plane then swoops down and attempts to wipe out Roger.

This plane is the supposed “cliché”. It’s different and no one expects it. This is what makes it unpredictable and makes the audience not only watch but think at the same time