The Mystery of Films

Mystery Film Genre:

    Mystery has been a well-known genre since the 1900s when the character Sherlock Holmes introduced the film world to it. Several silent movies were about mystery. Mystery films focus on solving a crime or a puzzle solved by detectives or a group of citizens. This genre is often mixed with other types of genres. It usually targets older teenagers to middle-aged adults. This is because the film can take on a challenging plot to understand. Many don’t aim at specific genders, but when it comes to the crime mystery, men usually enjoy it more. 

Content:

    Mystery films often contain similar content. As the movie goes on, suspects are shown with motives but don’t actually commit the crime. Many of them show clues to the audience that aren’t available to the main character. The suspense intensifies as the protagonist gathers evidence, investigates motives, and often discovers a clue that gives everything away. The culprit is caught by a trap, whether it be physical or mental. There are various settings that a mystery film can take place in, the most common ones include remote towns, large cities, country houses, and warehouses. 

  Clue (1985)

Technique:

    In mystery films, various techniques are used to create suspense. Close-up shots or extreme close-ups help convey emotions like fear and anger, while high and low angles change the perception of characters—making victims seem vulnerable or showing the culprit as strong. Costumes and props are matched to the film's time period to enhance authenticity. Fast-paced music combined with dynamic camera movements builds tension throughout the movie. The settings often feature familiar, everyday environments, while low-key lighting adds a sense of mystery. Non-diegetic sound, such as shifts in music, signals changes in tone. Unique editing styles, including frequent fades to black, intensify the suspense of the unfolding dark plot. 

 Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

Marketing Techniques:

    Mystery films are often marketed by focusing on suspenseful stories. Trailers typically reveal key moments that leave the audience with questions, making them eager to discover what unfolds. Posters often use dark colors and shadowy imagery to evoke a sense of curiosity and tension. Social media campaigns engage fans with puzzles or clues related to the movie, pulling them into mystery even before its release. Overall, the marketing strategy emphasizes the film's ability to keep viewers guessing until the very end. 

 

Samples: 

 

Knives Out (2019)

In "Knives Out" (2019), the film perfectly embodies the mystery genre by blending classic elements with modern characteristics. The story is about the mysterious death of a wealthy author, with a detective connecting clues from a unique family of suspects, each with their own motives. As the plot unfolds, viewers are shown clues that the characters often miss, which builds suspense and keeps everyone guessing. The film uses various techniques, like close-up shots to highlight emotions and low-key lighting to create a sense of intrigue. Set in a grand country house, the familiar yet isolated environment adds to the mystery. Fast-paced music and clever editing heighten the tension as the detective uncovers the truth, leading to a satisfying reveal. This movie has been reviewed to fit right into the mystery genre with all its conventions. 

Missing (2023)

"Missing" (2023) introduces a modern take to the mystery genre by using a digital format (found footage) to tell the story of a young woman searching for her missing mother. Unlike traditional mystery films that rely on physical clues and classic settings, this movie unfolds through screens—text messages, video calls, and social media—making it feel connected to today's audience. As the protagonist investigates, she meets many suspects and hidden secrets, building suspense with every discovery. Close-up shots show her emotional journey, while quick editing keeps the tension ongoing. “Missing" is considered to reinvent the mystery genre for a new generation. 

More Examples:

Murder Mystery (2019)

Nancy Drew and The Hidden Staircase (2019)

    Death On The Nile (2022)

The Guilty (2021)

   

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Gone Girl (2014)

Representation

    The popular mockumentary The Office features a variety of unusual people and their relationships while playfully exploring life in a typical workplace. The show known for its clever writing and emotional moments, presents important themes regarding race, gender, and sexuality. By examining how it portrays various identities, we can observe the show's representational strengths and weaknesses. 

The Office's representation of gender is subtle, especially in the roles of Angela Martin and Pam Beesly. Beginning as a receptionist with dreams of becoming an artist, Pam struggles to be taken seriously in an environment where men dominate. Her experience is representative of the difficulties many women encounter in achieving a balance between their own goals and the norms of society. However, the idea that a woman's greatest joy comes from romantic involvement may be underlined by the fact that her character arc frequently focuses on her relationship with Jim. The construction while showing her character is shown by multiple high-angle shots when not in the typical documentary shots. Angela, on the other hand, represents a distinct aspect of femininity; she is independent and strong-willed, yet her conservative beliefs and focus on family also represent traditional gender roles. Although these characters provide a range of perspectives on women, the program sometimes makes the mistake of portraying them through their romantic experiences   

 

There has been controversy around The Office's representation of race and culture, especially with Kelly Kapoor's character. An Indian American character named Kelly frequently provides comedic relief by personifying stereotypes of loud, talkative, and exaggerated people. Although her image gives Asian Americans more visibility in the workplace, it can also result in exoticizing representations that minimize her ethnicity to its most basic characteristics. Characters like Stanley Hudson, who frequently moves about the office with a sarcastic humor that emphasizes the ridiculousness of office culture, are another example of how the show handles race. However, racial stereotypes are often used to characterize his character and others, which can take away from his identity and experiences.