The Cabin in the Woods Trailer Analysis

The Cabin in the Woods is a very misleading film with a big twist, the trailer is the same. It starts with the stero-typical American horror film characters (loosely based), Jock, Cheerleader, Stoner etc. They all get in a RV and drive to a holiday house in the woods, with upbeat catchy non-diagetic music playing you could mistake this for a romance or a comedy. But the music quickly changes to a more sinister sound as the trailer processes, signalling the characters path into danger. The sound / music is critical in film, it sets the atmosphere and foreshadows events, especially in this trailer. Non-Diabetic music is used very effectively. Some 'found footage' camera work is also used in the trailer, giving the viewer the impression this actually happened, or at least makes it seem a little more realistic.

Long shots are used effectively to help show the surroundings, like when they are driving into the woods. A long show is used to show how small they are in comparison to nature. Close up shots are also used to show the characters faces when they see and enter the cabin, showing clear signs of unease and discomfort. The close up shots along with the sound is key in creating the atmosphere, playing with peoples emotions and creating a tense setting. Then the twist is revealed, showing that the strange occurrences are being controlled by a company who are trying to sacrifice our protagonists. Then towards the end of the trailer, there are numerous jump cuts showing all of the action, blood, death, sex gore, all the things people want to see in a horror film and this rush of action fuels peoples adrenaline and makes them want to go and see this film. It happens in a lot of horror / action trailers, towards the end lots of action scenes are shown. It's sort of foreshadowing, slightly showing whats going to happen, but you have to go and pay to see the full thing. Clever marketing.