Would You Rather-Trailer Analysis

The trailer opens with a shot of the main character-Iris walking into an office, the scene is accompanied by non-diegetic suspenseful music. This immediately sets the genre for the movie- horror. The main character is a young girl, who has no parents and has been left to look after her sick brother. This is conventional for horror movies as it is stereotypical for horror movies to have young vulnerable girls being the victim. When speaking about her sick brother the scene cuts to a high-held shot of  Iris giving her brother a kiss on her forehead. This makes the audience sympathise with Iris as she is left alone to care for her brother. This further presents their vulnerability and makes the audience sympathise with the siblings.

When Shepard Lambrick ( a philanthropist) states he can help Iris, the scene cuts to a wide-shot of the dinner party. It shows people in the same position as Iris, an elderly woman in a wheelchair, a middle aged man and a young man stood in the corner drinking. This connotes that they are as helpless and vulnerable as Iris and her brother. When explained the evening will consist of a game Iris replies "A contest?" this shows her innocence and how unaware she is of what is going to happen. The dinner party is set in a manor which is quite lavish and grand but at the same time dark and mysterious.

The non-diegetic music reaches its climax and creates a dramatic and tensed atmosphere, this is further reinforced by the clock ticking. As soon as it ticks the scene cuts to an empty dinner room and this gets the audience wondering what happens to the guests. It then cuts to montages people hiding under the table and bloody hands. The use of close up shows the fear and distress among the guests. The repetition of the phrase 'Would you rather?' emphasises how the guest must make a decision despite the consequences. The build-up of the upbeat and dramatic music represents the panic the guests are feeling. The screen then blanks and then suddenly cuts to screaming as if someone has been hurt. Lastly the trailer finishes off with olden style piano which is relaxed in contrast to the movie.