Film Analysis

Rape-revenge films make up a subgenre of the exploitation genre, often exploring or exploiting the trauma of rape through the catharsis of revenge. In recent years, the subgenre has undergone re-evaluation through academic work as well as through newer rape-revenge films. The critical consensus is that the subgenre relies too…

Fargo, like many movies, a high proportion of caper films and an even higher one of Coen Brothers projects, is full of details that look different on re-watch. But one in particular seems able to transform with every viewing. Before the film begins, Jerry pitched a parking lot project to…

Jordan Peele is clearly never one to shy away from cerebral, cryptic messages in his films, and Nope is no exception. Peele’s latest only serves to deepen his roots in the social horror/thriller genre. Beware, spoilers ahead! Nope begins with a bible quote from a lesser known book in the…

After writing about how the racial dynamics of Ed’s character in the show affect his choices, it got me thinking about the interracial romance dynamics set up between Ed and Stede. (This is a little more Stede focused than Ed since I already wrote about Ed at length) Unlike some…

Man’s struggle with God can almost be as endearing yet painful as his struggle against man. If there is one way to sum up the excellent film, ‘First Reformed’, that would be it. First Reformed (2017) focuses on the environment, one’s faith, and the struggle to find hope when things…

Finding oneself is a pursuit often associated with adolescents or young adults. High school and college are often cited as places young people should seek out new experiences and take the time to define themselves. As one author astutely pointed out, part of “growing up is choosing what your life…

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and the Satisfaction of Unknown Desires of Twistedness For the longest time, I did not know the name for the visual style that existed with vague attraction in the corners of…shreyasharma.substack.com For the longest time, I did not know the name for the visual style that existed with vague attraction in the corners of my mind. It comprised purple hues, dark, distant silhouettes, and tilted lines. It was ostentatious about its eeriness, how I imagined homes of creatures wanting to be…

Film noirs are widely known for their iconic dark style and themes so it’s only fair that the characters that grace our screens also live amongst the shadows and darkness that are staples of this genre. For films like Stranger on the Third Floor (1940) and Detour (1945), moral ambiguity…

This is the first installment of a film analysis series in which I narratively and technically analyze a short opening scene from a film. In Edgar G. Ulmer’s 1945 classic film noir, Detour, pianist Al Roberts finds himself at odds with lady luck after a series of unfortunate events that…