by Ros Tibbs
In this essay, I shall be arguing that mise-en-scene plays just as an important role, or even a higher one, as sound in creating tone and emotional response in spectators with reference to the film ‘A Quiet Place’. I will do so by highlighting specific aspects of mise-en-scene, such as lighting and setting, presented in key sequences of the film and analyse how they function to communicate a predetermined tone and emotional response in the audience. I will then offer explanations as to how these said aspects hold an equal or greater amount of success in crafting these effects to that of sound, which is an element that the film is heavily praised for.
First, one sequence to ‘A Quiet Place’ which uses mise-en-scene as a way of creating a specific tone is when the character Evelyn wakes up in the self-made sound proof basement and discovers that one of the creatures in also there, dangerously close to her new-born child. The overarching mise-en-scene aspect of this scene is lighting, which heavily serves in creating an atmosphere of tension combined with danger. To elaborate, the scene is that of hard lighting as there is a sharp edge to it but is coated with a display of flashing red (1&2), caused by Evelyn switching the normally neutral light bulbs to this colour as a signal for help and this works to create chiaroscuro which communicates the seriousness of the sequence. As a result of this, an undertone of threat and stress has been created because of how such a bold shade of red connotes to a warning of danger, which is extremely appropriate for this scene as Evelyn is seemingly trapped with a ferocious creature that is close to her sleeping baby. Therefore, mise-en-scene is working to build the objective tone of tension and fear, the audience then experience the emotions of terrifying anxiety because of how the lighting has been used to emphasise how the characters are no longer safe. ‘Film Art: An Introduction’ refers to the idea of how “an unexpected change in lighting may enhance a dramatic effect” which is present in this sequence, the change of lighting from neutral to red emphasises the dramatic effect of danger suddenly taking over.
The switching between states of safety and danger is consistent in the film to elevate the horror genre conventions and is mostly done so with sound, such as alteration between eerie background music and then suspenseful silence, all to communicate tone to execute to the audience. However, here I have outlined how mise-en-scene serves the same function and can arguably overpower sound especially in this sequence. Lighting has a stronger presence than sound here and captures spectator’s attention; it acts as an emotional signifier of fear which is executed to spectators successfully, alerting them that this sequence of the film will not be one where the characters included are comfortable and out of harm’s reach.
In addition to this, mise-en-scene also crafts tone alongside creating an emotional response within the element of performance. One sequence which I felt executed this strongly was the character Lee Abbot’s sacrifice of his life in order to save his children Reagan and Marcus, who are being attacked by one of the creatures. John Krasinski’s performance in this scene is unarguably the most prominent feature in terms of successfully building the scene’s tone, mostly because of how the emotions his character undergo during are captivated by his expressions and gestures and completely hold the spectator’s full attention. Firstly, the character uses sign language to tell his deaf daughter “I love you and then “I have always loved you", this creates a heavy affectionate tone which interrupts the film’s centre atmosphere of tension and suffocating suspense, therefore impacting the spectator a great amount because of this intense change in mood.
However, it holds bittersweet elements as this gesture of the character is being done because he is about to give his own life to protect his children’s and this will be the last time Reagan will see him sign this affectionate phrase. The addition of “I have always loved you” is just as impactful given the narrative context of Reagan feeling as if her father blames her for the death of her younger brother in the film’s opening, here Lee shows that this is not the case and the bittersweet tone is emphasised as Reagan has discovered this liberating truth too late. Krasinski elevates this further using his facial expression which can be described as a combination of tender and doleful, demonstrated by his tearful eyes, a hint of a smile and intense stare (4). Even small acts such as closing his eyes when he signs the word “always” convey the intensity of his love which adds to engendering emotional response and creating tone. These emotions are projected onto the audience due to how much focus is granted to the performance and they experience a feeling of melancholy towards the characters and situation, therefore the performance in this sequence is assisting in conveying the heart-breaking tone. Overall, Krasinski’s advanced performance in this scene serves to build a tragic atmosphere by expressing the character’s heartbreak at what he has to do for his children, the soulful piano music in the background communicates these emotions but performance is assisting and playing just as an important role by capturing spectators’ attention therefore making it significant.
Furthermore, the choice of setting in ‘A Quiet Place’ is another element of mise-en-scene that is steered to produce and execute the film’s tone, most notably the fact that the setting can connote the idea of isolation. The film’s plot spends a vast majority of its time in the forest, except for a completely abandoned town in the opening, the setting of the forest can convey the lonesome atmosphere the films holds as it emphasises the family’s seclusion from civilisation and the normal procedure of interaction with others. Therefore, the film’s undertones of survival and a strong family dynamic has been highlighted because the setting of a forest as their habitat underlines how they need to depend on each other. The audience can connect to this secluded atmosphere and experience the feeling of existing outside of a normal society, demonstrating how mise-en-scene holds significance in establishing the tone of ‘A Quiet Place’ as well as the objective emotional response in spectators.
In addition to this, setting can also distinguish the separate tones of security and danger. This can be strongly identified in the sequence which shows Lee and his son Marcus sitting by a waterfall which secludes any sound they are making in that one area, making it safe for them to speak, consequently the previous mood of apprehension towards the creatures attacking that comes with being outside in the film’s universe has been eliminated. By placing the characters in such a protected environment, the film has now relocated the film from a plight where no sound can be made by the characters as the creatures can pick up on it, to a more secure atmosphere as loud sounds have been omitted by the waterfall. Consequently, there can be a significant juxtaposition between this scene and others based around the setting. For example, the sequence that takes place in the house where Reagan breaks a lamp which causes a loud noise and there is then an intense moment of waiting to see if the creatures are nearby. The silence serves as a key element in building suspense however the setting of the family home demonstrates the idea of the family being trapped which contributes to the atmosphere of danger, the setting of the waterfall allows safe verbal communication and therefore contrasts with the setting of the house in terms of safety and danger. The audience also experience this shift in tone and allow themselves to indulge in the tranquil atmosphere generated by the setting of the waterfall, therefore mise-en-scene is operating to project the characters’ state of minds of peace onto spectators. This conveys how the mise-en-scene of setting crafts tone in ‘A Quiet Place’, mainly the contrast between safety and endangerment, like how lighting does so in the basement sequence. I would argue that setting is working alongside sound in this sequence instead of overpowering it, because of how the two elements coincide with one another in highlighting the soothing tone. The setting of the waterfall serves as a sanctuary and allows sound to liberated as Lee and Marcus are given the opportunity to communicate their inner thoughts that are important to the film’s narrative; Reagan feeling as if her father blames her for the death of her brother. Therefore, the combination of sound and setting are being crafted to engender a guarded tone and relaxed emotional responses, however, I feel as if sound may receive more attention for causing these effects during this scene so here, I have argued how mise-en-scene is just as important in doing so.
Moreover, mise-en-scene plays a huge part in creating tone and emotional response during the sequence in which Evelyn is trapped in the basement with one of the creatures immediately after going into labour. This scene relies on the mise-en-scene aspects of setting and performance to accomplish the appropriate mood and execute it to spectators, sound is also rather important however I feel that the functions mise-en-scene present are just as adequate in crafting tone. Emily Blunt’s performance serves to successfully invoke emotional response, mostly sympathy from the audience. The character’s position during the scene is one of extreme struggle since she is experiencing the pain of labour as well as trying to hide from the creature to avoid death. Blunt conveys the emotions of distress and fear using her facial expressions and body; her eyes are wide, and her breathing is harsh as well as her face covered in tears and her mouth biting down onto her sleeve to prevent her cries of pain. These characteristics have the effect of causing the audience to feel sympathy as well as their own fear for the character, therefore mise-en-scene in the format of performance is elevating an emotional response in spectators and I feel, has a much stronger presence than sound. This is because Blunt’s performance captures spectators’ attention more than sound due to how advanced and central it is, although sound is an important element considering the character must remain silent throughout the scene, but it ties in mostly with the performance.
The setting of the sequence, the house’s basement, captivates the feeling of imprisonment because of how it underlines Evelyn’s restriction of a safe location. By placing the scene in the small basement, it works to engender an atmosphere of panic alongside danger, mostly because of how the setting of the basement is rather closed off and this has the effect of a severe lack of safety in the sequence. This also emphasises the audience’s triggered emotional response of fear and anxiety, alongside performance, because of how the audience can be placed in this claustrophobic feeling and the situation of being hunted down in a closed off location. Consequently, the alternation between safety and danger is once again present in ‘A Quiet Place’ as well as tone being established, all through an aspect of mise-en-scene.
To conclude, sound in ‘A Quiet Place’ does hold significance in crafting tone and creating an emotional response, however aspects of mise-en-scene such as lighting, setting and performance should be acknowledged a great amount. This is because of how these elements combine and cooperate to communicate a determined tone to specific sequences in ‘A Quiet Place’. The aspects such as setting, and lighting can comply with each other effectively, for example the sound proof basement sequence which demonstrated hard, colour coded lighting combining with the setting of a flooding closed off location in order to create a scene full of tension and causing spectators to undergo emotions of fear and worry. Sound is still an important addition to carrying out the same functions as mise-en-scene, such as the consistent silence highlighting the altering moods of suspense and tranquillity, however, lighting and performance are just as effective in doing so.
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