Motifs in thriller films: Isolation

Common motifs in thrillers are often themes of revenge, obsession and most importantly murder.


Steven King thrillers, in this case both Misery and The Shining, often not only just contain these themes, but will 
also use an overriding theme to present them. In Misery and The Shining this motif is Isolation.

 The Shining(1980)

Based on the novel by Steven King, directed by Stanley Kubrick.

The overall theme presented using isolation in The Shining was murder.

Surroundings:

(These shots clearly present the vastness of the desolate surroundings used in the film)
The desolate and vast area surrounding The Overlook Hotel in The Shining make it the perfect setting for this dark thriller film.
The isolation in this film is presented through the surroundings and allows for the horrific events that go on inside, the murder and revenge, to seem inescapable. The theme of isolation is commonly used in thrillers in various ways, for example in Psycho isolation is presented using the juxtaposition of the busy city around the characters. However in The Shining it is very clear how Steven King used this isolation to create a sense of fear and panic for the audience.

( This shot shows the moment at which Wendy realises that hope of contact with the outside world is diminished)

Various scenes throughout the film refer to the isolation of the hotel to give a feeling of panic and fear. For example, whilst Jack is trying to kill his wife Wendy and their child Danny, Wendy finds a radio telephone and attempts to contact the outside police force, this gives the audience a sense of hope although, after a few minutes of trying, we find out that the phone lines are down due to the snow. The lack of contact with the outside world gives the perfect setting for something awful to happen, the audience now know that Wendy and Danny are completely alone against Jack, the isolation again gives the film this sense of being trapped that thrillers so often use.

Another example of the motif of isolation used in surroundings could be when Wendy and Danny are trying to run from the house, but can't quite manage as the snow is too thick. This 'almost' nature of the film keeps audiences on their seat and at the same time reveals the vastness and isolated nature of the surrounding scenery.

Character:

(Danny and his imaginary friend, presenting his isolation with the rest of his family) 

Each family member is fairly isolated from the other, Jack is obviously isolated from Wendy and Danny after he begins to turn mad although we see other themes of isolation between characters before this. 

For example, Danny's gift of The Shining puts him in a position of isolation from his family, in the beginning Danny can read the janitors mind without even having to talk out loud. Later on in the film this is a huge advantage as Danny can call for help, although again here we see the 'almost' nature again. This theme of isolation within the family contributes hugely to the sense of looming fear that is already felt due to the surroundings, and gives another factor that Stanley Kubrick could have used to keep tension high.

The isolation Danny experiences is also reflected in the twin girls, the use of lonely and isolated children is often used in thriller films and allows for directors to present a certain unstoppable madness whereby audiences can't escape.  

Misery (1990)

Based on the novel by Steven King, directed by Rob Reiner.

The overall theme presented using isolation in Misery was obsession. 

Surroundings:

(Again these shots present the vastness of the isolation between the characters and the rest of society, and present how alone they are.)

Surroundings are huge in presenting isolation in Misery. Snow is a common theme in both The Shining and Misery and is used in both to allow the antagonist to keep the victims trapped with them.

In Misery, Annie Wilkes keeps her biggest idol Paul Sheldon(a famous writer) hostage at her house after a car crash he had. She uses his injuries and the desolate isolated surroundings around her house to keep him there as long as she can. For example, after Paul realises that he is being kept by someone fairly psychotic, he attempts, just as Wendy did in The Shining, to call someone for help. This time he finds the phone has been disconnected although Annie uses the snow as an excuse for why the phone wont work. 

 The theme of isolation here keeps the audience on edge the same way that The Shining does.

 

There is also a different way in which isolation is presented in Misery than The Shining, as in Misery, the whole state is trying to find Paul, the theme of frustration and being almost free, keeps the audience wanting to know what happens whilst simultaneously creating a very strong sense of loneliness through the juxtaposition of the  amount of people out looking for him. This is clearly presented when Paul looks out of the window and sees a police helicopter flying overhead, and also when the police come to interview Annie and Paul is hidden with no way of him telling the officer where he is. The isolation keeps the same 'almost' nature that The Shining hold and gives the film an on going feeling of tension throughout. 

The theme of isolation may be important to our thriller opening, as it is a prominent feature of most thriller films, we may need to include a location or character that presents this. Not only does isolation help to keep the audience feeling on edge, but also helps to create a realistic scenario- without background noise or movement characters are the focus and because it's not a busy surrounding there seems to be no escape or help.