Jennifer's Body - Textual Analysis
Here’s
a trailer for ‘Jennifer’s Body’ that will give you a glimpse into what the
movie is about.
Jennifer’s Body
The
film I’m going to be analysing is ‘Jennifer’s Body’, a film directed by Karyn
Kusama which is a spoof of a high school slasher horror movie. The film was
released on the 4th of November in the UK. This could have been done on
purpose as the movie is a horror movie and it’s released a few days after
Halloween, when ghouls and monsters are hypothetically at large. The movie will
become more realistic and make the audience feel more engaged because the eerie
atmosphere of the films is already inside people’s minds.
Narrative
Structure
Genre codes
and conventions
Characters
Jennifer is an attractive stereotypical
cheerleader who always wears small tight clothing. She wears bright clothing so
that she stands out. Her dark hair can connate with the fact that she is evil.
Her body language is nonchalant, carefree and seductive to attract her male
victims. She’s always smiling, is arrogant and swears. She is the antagonist as
she is possessed by a flesh eating demon. This is stereotypical in many horror
movies where the villains or evil entities are female e.g. the exorcist, the
ring, the grudge. There is a role reversal in this film as Jennifer is the
villain in this spoof of a high school slasher movie which goes against the
slasher movie stereotypes, where victims are usually female and villains are
usually male e.g. Scream and Friday 13th. In this spoof of a high school
slasher the victims are male which makes the movie much more interesting. Close-ups
are often used on her face to emphasise her beauty or her supernatural features
e.g. when she is about to eat someone.
Chip is Needy’s boyfriend he has brown shaggy hair and wears average clothing; he also seems to be represented as quite dorky as he plays drums in the high school pep/marching band. His body language is very relaxed and nonchalant, and so is his personality her refuses to believe that Jennifer will attempt to eat him and this leads to his untimely death.
Stylistic
elements
For costumes Jennifer wears tight fitted
clothes to show off her figure and her clothing is much brighter than anyone
else in the entire movie which makes her stand out. Her make-up is simple yet
it enhances her face so that she looks ‘sexy’ with dark eyebrows and red lips. Needy
wears boxy plain clothing, hiding her figure and making her fade in comparison
to Jennifer this was done purposefully to make Jennifer stand out so that only
Jennifer is portrayed as this voluptuous female. Needy wears unnoticeable
make-up, which makes her look like a ‘plain Jane’. When Jennifer hasn’t eaten
humans for a while make-up is used to show her becoming less attractive as a
symptom.
For props a lot of fake blood was used for
example when Jennifer’s victim had died or when she had just finished eating
someone, this adds to the conventions of horror films as usually a lot of gore
and blood is involved in a horror/slasher type movie.
In
terms of cinematography a lot of
mid-shot size shots are used very frequently throughout the movie, this may
have been done to focus on body language, facial expressions and emotions but
to also let the audience see how the characters surrounding are affecting them
and what it is that is affecting them. When Jennifer is in a scene mid-long
shots and long shots are usually used to show her body, and close-ups and
mid-close ups are used to show her face when she is about to eat someone or
just to emphasise her beauty or unattractiveness depending on what scene it is.
Over
the shoulder and P.O.V shots are used quite often when the focus character of a
scene is Needy, this is done to allow the audience to become immersed and
engaged in the story, we feel like we are Needy. These types of shots help to
build tension and suspense as they are usually used when Needy is trying to
uncover something about her best friend so as she is searching for things this
makes us want to know what she’ll find and thus makes us feel tense.
For Editing, the pace of the film is quite
slow and calm; this is done purposefully in order to contrast with the scenes
that involve action and have a faster pace. The slow pace of the film
inevitably builds suspense as the film keeps you waiting to find out when
something supernatural or scary is going to happen. This technique is used in
plenty of thriller and horror movies as the directors want the audience to be
kept waiting and then scare them out of their wits with something big.
For
the scenes in high school alternative
punk non-diegetic music is used, lots of teenagers listen to this type of music
so it adds to the feel of the high school, making it seem more realistic. Sound effects are very important in
this movie, as there are plenty of sounds throughout the movie that aid with
building tension and suspense. Sound effects like wind blowing, doors creaking,
a tap dripping, dramatic silences and breathing make the audience tense, and
aware in anticipation of what might happen next. It also makes the film seem
more realistic as normal sound in a house are emphasised. Non-diegetic eerie
music decreasing and increasing in volume is used so that our ears focus on it
and it makes us feel more engaged which is what horror movies attempt to do,
make the audience engaged so that they can build tension and suspense until
they hit a big climax and scare us.
Detailed
textual analysis
For cinematography, a variety of shot types
are used. Long shot is used to show Needy running through the woods. A mid-shot
is then used on only her leg but this time it’s in slow motion to emphasise her
running. Close-ups are used to show Needy’s scared and worried facial
expressions as she’s running to save her boyfriend and confront Jennifer. High
angle shots are used to show Jennifer attacking Chip in the swimming pool, it
also shows their surroundings, they are inside the swampy swimming pool.
SHOT BY SHOT
CINEMATOGRAPHY ANALYSIS OF SCENE
The
scene starts with a long shot of Needy running in the woods, the camera is
facing towards her so that we see her whole body moving as she is running and
also so that we see her environment, she is running in the woods. This helps to
add meaning to the scene. The following shot is an extreme long shot of Chip
and Jennifer sitting on the edge of the pool, the camera is facing toward their
front so that we see their facial expressions and body language, the audience
may start to sense a connection between them because of this.
The
following 5 shots are mid-close ups from a side angle alternating between both
Chip’s and Jennifer’s sides so that we see the opposite person, this is done to
show how close the two individuals are physically and creates proximity between
them without the having to move closer as the angle makes the space between
them disappear, the shot size (mid-close up) also aids in giving this effect.
A
mid-close up is used from an angle when the two characters are kissing. A
mid-long shot from the adjacent angle is then used to show Jennifer throwing
Chip into the pool, this action has been emphasised as the camera is panning in
the direction to which Chip is being thrown. Panning shots can be used in
action sequences to make them seem more eerie and also it makes the audience
more attentive of what is happening because of both the movement of the camera
and also of the characters.
There
then is a bird’s eye view shot and the camera movement is a twist which makes
the audience force themselves to pay attention to the action, this shot
involves Jennifer throwing Chip deeper into the centre of the pool. Then there
is a long shot from a side angle showing Jennifer swimming like a predator
almost like a shark or a crocodile to her prey, Chip.
A
mid-long shot is used to show Needy running from the waist up, this is used to
remind us that she is running to save her boyfriend, this helps to increase the
tension in the scene. An extreme long shot, tracking shot is used to show the
speed at which Needy is running and to also show her running through the woods,
which emphasises how far she is running to go and save her boyfriend. By using
different parts of her body in isolation in different scenes it creates a
build-up of tension, as we are only seeing separate parts which make the
audience want to see the full picture, all of her body. This then makes the
audience even more anxious and attentive.
A
panning, bird’s eye view, extreme long shot is used again as Jennifer drowns
Chip into the pool by pushing his head underneath the water. As spectators we
feel as though we have a clear view but can do nothing to help Chip, as
Jennifer’s body is above his and they are at a distance to us. Making us as an
audience feel more anxious and tense. A tracking mid-shot is used of only
Needy’s legs as she runs to emphasise her anxiety and need to save Chip. This
mid shot then zooms out into a mid-long shot to reveal parts of her dress and
remind the audience of the quirky nerdy character. This is done so that they don’t
assume that Needy has had a complete change of character, she is still herself
although she is more confident and determined to save her boyfriend now.
A
high angle panning shot is then used as Jennifer pushes Chip to a wall,
asserting her dominance, and emphasising the role reversal. This emphasises the
dangerous nature of Jennifer the succubus reminding the audience that she
possessed by a demon although her costume looks fairly normal. A close up,
tracking shot is used on Needy’s face as she runs this is done to emphasise her
breathing, and also her worried and determined facial expressions. By showing
her emotions the audience has clear understanding of the significance of Chip
to Needy and can therefore sympathize and root for the couple.
A
mid-long shot is then used to show Chip trying to get out of the pool, this is
done at an eye-level so that the audience is more engaged with him, and they’ll
feel as though they are at the edge of the pool watching him. Mid shots are
frequently used because you cannot see a person’s whole body, because of this
you are naturally curious as to what is happening to the rest of their body
making you inevitably more attentive and anxious, enabling the build-up of
tension to be successful.
A
close-up is then used of Needy’s worried and tired yet determined facial
expressions as she is still running. This helps to emphasise the grandeur of
the situation enabling the audience to truly sympathise for or feel anxious
with her. As the shots progress the shot lengths become shorter and shorter,
and the cuts become swifter and quicker building up to a big finish, by doing
this the audience will become completely engrossed as they won’t want to miss
out on any quick significant shots, as they want to see what the big climax
will turn out to be.
A
mid-close up shot is used as Chip tries to climb out of the pool and reaches
towards the camera with scared and desperate facial expressions, this makes it
seem like Chip is reaching out towards the audience which automatically makes
them more engaged as they feel the need to help him out.
An
extreme long tracking shot is then used as Needy is running out of the woods
into a clearing; she then pauses as she spots something on the floor. This
makes the audience even more attentive as she changes her movements, they will
be eager to see if something may happen to Needy before she has a chance to
save Chip. A mid, low angle shot which pans up to her face shows her Picking up
Chips’ corsage that he got for her, reinforcing the two characters emotional
relationship and Needy’s affection for him as she stares at it with her mouth
open, and watery eyes.
An
establishing shot is used to show Needy running towards the abandoned swimming
pool building. This then cuts to a sort of audience, hand held cam, p.o.v mid
shot that tilts up and down to shot the back of Needy’s body as she enter
through one of the windows, using this kind of shot makes the audience feel
very engaged, and almost as if they are there right behind Needy aiding her in
her rescue of Chip. This helps to build tension as we are inevitably more
engaged.
A
long shot is then used from the inside of the pool to show Needy struggling to
land onto the ground inside, this reminds us of her awkward and nerdy
characterisation and is quite humorous, enabling the audience to be reminded
that this film is a spoof. An over the shoulder, p.o.v, hand held cam kind of
shot tracking Needy as she walks deeper into the building shows her staring at
Jennifer attacking Chip in the pool. This then cuts to a mid-shot of Needy’s
face as she’s bewildered and expectant. This is then followed by a mid-long
shot of Jennifer staring into the camera with her c.g.i stretched demonic
mouth, and chip pushed against a pool wall with a scared facial expression.
This is the big climax and will shock the audience as it follows a shot where Needy
has a bewildered facial expression making us subconsciously brace ourselves for
something big. The tension has been built up so much throughout the sequence
that the audience will feel that it’s natural to feel jumpy or scared and so
the effect of the film on the audience will be successful.
Location: Dark woods where Needy is
running through, woods are very spooky as they seem the be isolated places as
there are only trees everywhere this adds to the eerie effect that is needed in
suspenseful horror movies. It is also very dark so we can hardly see Needy
running through the woods which makes us more attentive so that we are then
more easily engrossed in the story. The other location is the abandoned
swimming pool filled with overgrown weeds, algae and mud. It is an isolated
location which makes it seem very spooky and isolated locations are a very
conventional type of location in horror movies because they give an eerie
effect to the scene.
Costume: Needy is wearing a
ridiculously bright dress so that she stands out; she is now going to become
the dominant female in the story as she goes to confront her best friend. It
also adds to the fact that she is a dork and so she’ll wear a really bad dress.
Jennifer is wearing a white dress and her skin is very pale this makes her seem
ghost like as she in no longer a normal human. Chip is wearing a black suit, he
is almost represent as this chess piece in black and white he is just involved
in Jennifer and Needy’s little ‘chess’ game so he doesn’t really need to stand
out.
Low
key high contrast lighting is used
throughout the scene; we see only artificial lights which are pool lights. And
moonlight and a few street lamps are used in the scenes where Needy is running
to the warehouse, the moonlight adds an eerie effect, and the moon itself adds
to the horror and supernatural elements of the movie making the atmosphere seem
even more eerie. Low key, high contrast is used to make the scenes look darker
this adds to the seriousness and cold chilling atmosphere of the scenes.
Editing and Special effects: Cross-cutting is used when
Needy is running in the woods and Jennifer is attacking Chip this is done to
build tension and suspense and to also show that Needy is running to help Chip.
C.G.I is used on Jennifer’s mouth when she roars so that we can see that she is
evil, this is conventional of inhumane horror movie antagonists who can often
be supernatural evil entities.
Jennifer's Body - Review Analysis
The review I’m going to be analysing is an empire magazine online review on the movie ‘Jennifer’s Body’, the review was written by Nick de Semlyen.
The review starts with a sentence on the plot of the film so the reader can have some background information if they don’t know what the film is about. It then starts with a paragraph comparing ‘Jennifer’s Body’ with other horror spoof movies ‘splicing horror with comedy…’ such as Shaun of the dead.
The reviewer includes many references to other things in pop-culture such as bands.
He then goes on to write about how the screenplay writer is very current and popular and won awards for the extremely famous ‘Juno’ showing that he had high hopes for the movie as he does like the screenwriter. The following paragraph is about Megan Fox who plays Jennifer, he states that she had been getting bland roles since she became an A-lister and this movie gave her an opportunity to play a more interesting unconventional character.
The next paragraph is about the use of wit and quirkiness in the dialogue in the movie, he states that this was very prominent and that it was typical of the screenwriter ‘Diablo Cody’ who used this type of quirkiness in her most accredited movie ‘Juno’. The reviewer includes quotes from the movie such as ‘it’s freak-tarded!’ to help with his explanation of the comical and stereotypical use of dialogue.
He then goes on to negatively talk about the CGI and ‘horror’ part of the film, saying that the CGI was ‘shoddy’ and that the scary scenes were not scary enough, he also comments on how the director Karyn Kusama failed to deliver any tension within the film.
He concludes with a paragraph stating that the movie was not as good as it could have been and that he expected more, although the movie was still okay it needed more gore, horror and tension. He rated the movie 3/5.
Overall the reviewer talks about the expectations that the genre, actors, director and writer of the film set-up and then explains why they failed to meet or exceed those expectations.
You can read the review here: EMPIRE REVIEW
Jennifer's Body - Poster Analysis
Layout
The two main actresses names are placed at the top of the poster and are in the colour white so that they stand out against the greyish black background as they are USP’s (well known for acting in American teenage films) and need to stand out so that they attract the target audience. On top of the two names is ‘from the academy award-winning writer of “Juno”’ which is written in smaller text as it is of less importance in comparison to the two actresses names.
The protagonist/antagonist is right in the centre of the poster so that we focus on her and her ‘body’. She is sitting on top of a desk; which seems to be in a dark and abandoned classroom. Her body language is very relaxed; the way she is sitting emanates a relaxed confidence, implying that this female is a powerful or dominant character. Her facial expression seems very seductive and also quite dark; her raised eyebrow implies that she may now more than she is letting on or that she may have something to hide. This sole facial expression adds a sense of mystery to the whole poster and links in very well with the hand peeping out of the desk.
Behind the female there is a blackboard with the phrase ‘HELL YES!’ written in chalk, presumably written by male high school students, this phrase is used to describe Jennifer, the males refer to her body as ‘hell yes’ a stereotypical American jock-like phrase, as she is a very attractive female.
Below the desk the tagline ‘SHE’S EVIL…AND NOT JUST HIGH SCHOOL EVIL’ is presented in white so that it stands out and so people can get a little inkling of what the movie may be about other than what is shown through the images.
Underneath the tagline the movie’s title is presented and is in the biggest font size so that it can compete with the brightness of the actresses’ names and so that it stands out. The movie is about ‘Jennifer’s body’ and so the title needs to be easy to read so that people who see the poster can easily remember what it’s called so they can go to watch it. Also it’s purposefully made very clear and big so that the audience can make a link to the female, the movie is called Jennifer’s body, and Jennifer is showing as much of her body as she can without making the poster seem inappropriate.
Title
The title ‘Jennifer’s Body’ is written in a font that is usually used on American high school varsity jackets, which goes with the high school theme. It is written in red which is stereotypical of horror movies (their titles are often in red or white) this implies that there may be some blood involved or implies that Jennifer’s body is evil. It is placed at the bottom so that we focus on the image of ‘Jennifer’.
Tagline
The tagline ‘She’s evil… And not just high school evil’ implies that she may actually be some sort of supernatural or evil villainous character as she is not simply high school evil e.g. bully. This shows that there is more to the character than what seems to be and this clever use of words will make anyone who sees the poster wonder what kind of evil she may be, making them more motivated to watch the movie. It is also quite playful and emphasises that the movie is a spoof, as in normal horror movies the taglines wouldn’t be unserious and comical, so this shows the audience that there will be some type of spoofy comedy involved.
Target Audience
The target audience seems to be teenagers and young adults, as there is a young female in the poster. The female is in a classroom which means the film may be set in a high school and so the target audience may be students. It can appeal to both genders; to males because there is a good looking female in scanty clothing and to females because she is presented as beautiful with her long wavy hair and pale skin, and is wearing clothing that high school females stereotypically wear, which may make the character seem relatable to young females. Also young females may enjoy the fact that in this movie the female roles are empowered as the villain is a female and that the victims are male.
Genre
The genre of the film is communicated through the colour scheme used; the red and black connote with darkness and evil which implies that the genre of the movie may be horror or thriller. Also the use of the classroom and desk show that the film may be set in a high school and so one of the subgenres could be ‘high school flick’. The High school genre is very popular amongst teenagers and young adults, films such as ‘The Breakfast Club’, ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘Scream’ are films that are set in high schools and are very popular amongst teenagers and students.
Representation of characters
The female in the poster (Megan Fox) is presented as a sex object as she is wearing a tight vest, a short skirt and high heels. The colours red and black connote with darkness and evil which represents her personality she is dark and also evil. The colours also connote with blood and death. She is sitting on a desk with books in her arms, which implies that she is a high school student; the skirt also seems to be a school uniform type of skirt further reinforcing that she is a student. Her hair is dark, and her make-up is very simple making her seem quite evil. She has one raised eyebrow which helps to construct a mischievous facial expression implying that this character may be rebellious or evil. Her skin is also very pale making her seem almost vampire-like this could imply that she is supernatural.
There is a hand that is seen hanging out of the desk which implies that she is trying to maybe hide a body of someone she may have killed.
USP
The unique selling points of the poster are the actresses names ‘Megan Fox’ and ‘Amanda Seyfried’ who are well known actresses specifically for movies with teenagers and young adults as their target audience, so including these household names on the poster will help to draw in the target audience.
The genre also seems to be represented through the poster as an American high school type of movie which can also draw in the target audience of teenagers and young adults as they are probably in high school/secondary school so making the poster seem relatable to the target audience may make them want to watch the film. ‘From the academy award-winning writer “Juno”’ is a unique selling point as Juno is a very popular American high school movie, and teenagers and even people from other age demographics who have watched Juno and enjoyed it will be more likely to watch this film, because the same writer wrote the script for this film.
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