What makes this trailer so scary is the building abstract music being heard. It starts quietly with only two layers of sound, and even at this stage creates a feeling of uneasiness. The rushing sound of what sounds like bees and the deep repeating clunk slowly build as further dissonant sounds join one by one, increasing in volume and pitch. This technique builds the viewers fear slowly, dragging it out and making it even more unbearable.
By showing a still image of a hallway as this music is being played, the viewer builds a feeling of anticipation; the music tells them there is something bad happening but they are unable to see what. The emptyness of the hallway creates an eeri and serial atmosphere. As the music nears its peak, red, blood-like liquid gushes violently out in slow motion from the crack of the elevator door. Showing the liquid pour through the hallway in slow motion increases the serial-ness of the trailer, making it unfamiliar and scary. It also suggests to the viewer that the film may be a psychological horror because it is so serial and dream like.
The music then continues to increase in volume and pitch until the blood-like liquid covers the screen leaving a deep red tint to the camera.
This trailer wouldn't work as well as it did in the 80's if it were used now. Audiences now are use to special-FX and fast paced cuts which make trailers like this appear 'boring' or 'unexciting'.However I think this trailer portrays a psychological horror better than any modern trailer I have seen so far.
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