Similar film research - Joe Sheldon

Research into films similar to my plot summary.

My movie idea revolves around the actions of a serial killer, following him from his teenage years to the eventual killing of his two best friends; his mental illness and prison friends drive him to the conclusion that he is envious of them for their success, despite one having as failing a life as him. Despite there being no films explicitly similar to this plot, films focused on serial killers have become a sub-genre of their own in recent times, developing since the 60s. The following are three films that are similar to mine and what I can draw from them.

Psycho:

Horror/Thriller film Psycho (Dir. Hitchcock, 1960) is often heralded as one of the greatest serial killer movies of all time, going down as the movie that made Hitchcock's career. The film depicts a crazed
motel owner, Norman Bates, murdering a woman who's car breaks down outside. The film's use of score is iconic, with the high pitched string noises during the infamous shower murder scene being immediately recognisable as connoting danger. 

Psycho teaches that shape match editing and the use of hidden identity can be effective in creating a feeling of tension. During the shower scene, there is an edit that cuts from Marion's eyes to blood washing down a plughole, which shows a figure cleaning the scene of the crime; this helps the audience draw a relation. Furthermore, the anonymity of the figure cleaning the scene builds tension as to who the murderer is, which has become a trope of the slasher genre. Certain characters remaining unnamed is crucial to the mystery of any thriller film.

The Silence of the Lambs:

The Silence of the Lambs (Dir. Demme, 1991) is a movie that is exemplary in displaying the importance of dialogue and interaction between traditionally 'creepy' character and the protagonist. The film has various interrogation scenes between Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling, in which she asks him about the manner in which he committed his crimes. Without a doubt one of the greatest assets and lessons from this movie for mine is how to construct a scary character.

Hannibal has various idiosyncrasies, including his constant speak of human remains and his tongue on his teeth, which adds to his aura of fear and danger. This is important when developing my character Charlie as I intend for him to have the same aura, connoting to the audience that he is responsible for the further killings in the movie early on. Moreover, Hopkins' portrayal of the Lecter character is so scary because it is believable. He even elicits sympathy from the audience at points, acting caring toward Clarice. To script my character as equally scary, I must recreate the feat of a believable character who is also unnerving.

American psycho:

American Psycho (Dir. Harron, 1997) is a film that revolves around Patrick Bateman, an investment banker who begins to delve into his violent fantasies while hiding his alter ego from his co-workers. The film, much like mine, delves into the world of a man that wants to begin to explore his constant thoughts of murder. 

American Psycho can teach us how to adapt the slasher genre for a more modern audience, as well as display both the sane and insane side of a serial killer's life. Patrick is shown as speaking and being good friends with various other office workers during the daytime, while also being a mass murderer in the evenings. While making my film, I will have to be conscious of showing the human side of Charlie, especially as he feels remorse for his killings upon his suicide. One way in which American Psycho shows this is by showing Patrick unable to kill his colleague in a bathroom when given the chance. In stage directions in the script, I should direct slight remorse on the expression of Charlie.