Suspense is a vital part in creating a tense, on edge atmosphere, in which the viewer is watching on with anxiety and uncertainty. Suspense and its corresponding emotions are what makes the film “The Shining” what it is.
A prime example of this is as Jack is beating down the bathroom door with an axe, and we, as viewers, expect the worst for Wendy, but at the same time we doubt it’s a foregone conclusion. This means that during the period of him first digging his axe into the door, and finally leaving, we are on edge, overwhelmed with curiosity regarding the outcome of the situation.
Suspense is created in this scene through the actions of both Jack and Wendy. Jack’s psychopathic persona along with Wendy’s terrified, constant screaming figure.
A heavy screeching sound plays over as it reaches a climax (the axe piercing the door) to heighten the suspense and fear instilled into the viewer.
A famous film cut is the close up of Jacks head as he pokes it through the door and announces, “here’s Jonny!” This along with the post Wendy screams create a pivotal villain that the viewer, even if only seeing that cut, can establish.
The camera shows the axe breaking through the door from both the sides of it, in what is called a match cut. This shows us what both Jack and Wendy can see, but most of all adds a shock factor when the axe breaks through the door, when shot from inside the bathroom.
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