Location and Lighting in Thrillers

Great Gatsby
In the film 'The Great Gatsby'-US-Baz Luhrman-2011, Big cities are used to show urbanisation as a theme. Gatsby and the other main characters live just outside of New York. The screenshot shows a pact Times Square and shows how there isn't any space in the city, so it feels claustrophobic and hints that it is inescapable. The idea of a thriller being set in a city, signifies and suggests the idea that there is a lot of crime, which relates to the iconography of guns, knives and the greed of money. This idea relates to the film because Gatsby started out being poor, but because of his greed for money and the use of going against the law, he was able to gain a lot of money. However, this is sinful and then foreshadows the idea that these characters that sin must die because they are doing things wrong. The high key bright lights is a contrast to the deep black sky in the distance, hinting that although the bright lights make it seem like a great place to be, the black connotes the danger of being in a city. It also shows the difference in characters lives in the city, some have a good life and live in a rich place, others live in the dark by hiding secrets which adds to the mystery of their true identity.

Dark Knight Rises:

The chiaroscuro lighting used in Batman's bat cave hints at the his mysterious life and how he has a secret identity and the suspense in a dytopian world (Gotham city) . This identity hides him away from normal society and creates an element of tension between them as he can't blend in. Again, a packed city hints at the idea of crime and how everyone is involved with it in one way or another. In the scene where batman and bane fight, the water falling from the sky hints at the idea of rain which is symbol for pathetic fallacy. This gives the suggestion that this world is full of hate and corruptness. The rain also produces a reflection and shows that his secret identity is scandalous and twisted. The low key lighting also adds to the effect of it being a crime thriller and adds to the suspense of what will happen in the future of their lives. The setting of the fight takes place in an isolated place which reflects the idea that they are outsiders on society trying to do right.

Skyfall:

An isolated setting is used in Scotland to show the isolation of the house and how there is no help around. The old building creates a sense of mystery because it is old and could be haunted. The murky colours create a sense of a gritty world and the idea that we should be cautiousness around this area because it seems insecure and dangerous.