Oftentimes, in horror movies – or any type of movie for that matter – we as viewers can determine who dies and in what fashion. Rarely are we fully, truthfully surprised when a character dies. Subtle clues and buildup, changes in mood and music, foreshadowing – all of these combine to give us at least a vague sense of what’s in store for film characters.
However, Damian McCarthy proves that knowing exactly what happens at the end of the film has no impact on the emotions you can foist on an audience during the film, provided that the editing, acting and cinematography are exquisite. Impressively enough, he does this with apparently no budget. The result is He Dies at the End.
By using pools of darkness in the frame to mirror the vague nature of the questions our character is asked, and the vague location he is in, and the vague purpose for his actions, McCarthy preys on a universal fear: the unknown. Constantly keeping the camera tight on our sole character makes us feel as isolated and alone as he is. The effect is more agoraphobic than claustrophobic – we feel as if anything could be out there waiting for us. Importantly, waiting for us, not him. The rumbling, mysterious soundtrack keeps the tension at a boiling point. Because of all this, the body of the story outweighs the knowledge of its ending. And with a decidedly silly ending, McCarthy puts emphasis on that body of work, making an interesting point on how to create high-level suspense with minimal effects and money.
Watch here: He Dies at the End
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