The 3 Essential Elements of Suspense Explained: How Fincher, Carpenter, and Refn Create Tension on Screen

Have you ever found yourself holding your breath, muscles tightening, barely able to look at the screen during a particularly suspenseful movie scene? That’s the magic of suspense in filmmaking, and today we’re going to dive deep into how masters of the craft like David Fincher, John Carpenter, and Nicolas Winding Refn create those edge-of-your-seat moments.

Introduction: The Anatomy of Suspense

Before we delve into the technical aspects, let’s break down what actually creates suspense. At its core, suspense is generated when we anxiously await something to happen. But it’s not just about waiting – it’s about how we wait and what we’re waiting for.

There are three key ingredients that make up the recipe for suspense:

1. Time: How long do we wait for the conclusion?
2. Stakes: What gives the outcome weight?
3. Uncertainty: What informs our level of anticipation?

While these elements are typically established in the script, it’s the filmmaker’s job to elevate them through formal elements like sound, editing, and cinematography. Let’s explore how each of these technical aspects can be used to crank up the tension and keep audiences glued to their seats.

Chapter 1: Creating Suspense with Sound

Sound design is an often overlooked but incredibly powerful tool for building suspense. It can be just as compelling as visual elements, if not more so. Let’s look at two contrasting approaches:

The Power of Silence: Drive (2011)

In Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Drive,” there’s a masterful scene that demonstrates how a lack of sound can be just as effective as a cacophony of noise. The scene in question involves a seemingly simple robbery, but the way it’s presented aurally puts us on edge.

As Ryan Gosling’s character, simply known as Driver, waits in the car, we’re surrounded by an eerie quiet. The sound designers, Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis, make us acutely aware of every tiny sound:

• The rustle of clothing
• Chirping birds
• Soft footsteps
• Distant traffic
• The low rumble of the car’s engine

This minimalist approach to sound gives us no indication of what’s happening inside the store, maintaining our uncertainty. The ticking of Driver’s watch serves as a constant reminder that time is running out, ramping up the tension.

When an unexpected car arrives, there’s no musical cue to confirm the danger. Instead, we hear the tightening of Driver’s leather glove – a subtle sound that speaks volumes about the raised stakes.

As the scene reaches its climax, even the ambient sounds fade away, leaving us with nothing but the ticking watch. This near-silence sets us up perfectly for the explosion of sound that follows, as the tension from the robbery erupts into a thrilling chase.

By focusing on these minute details of sound, or lack thereof, the filmmakers create a palpable sense of suspense that keeps us on the edge of our seats.

Chapter 2: Building Suspense through Editing

While sound sets the mood, it’s the editor who truly controls time in film. They decide how long we wait and what happens in between. Let’s examine a scene from John Carpenter’s “The Thing” to see how editing can drive suspense.

Pacing and Anticipation: The Thing (1982)

In this iconic scene, a group of Antarctic researchers must determine which among them has been infected by a shape-shifting alien. The stakes couldn’t be higher – if the creature escapes, it could mean the end of humanity.

Editor Todd Ramsay employs several techniques to ratchet up the tension:

1. Claustrophobic Shot Sizes: The scene prioritizes tight close-ups of three elements – the petri dishes of blood, the wire being heated, and the men’s faces. This creates a sense of confinement and focuses our attention.
2. Consistent Framing: By giving each character the same close-up treatment, Ramsay maximizes uncertainty. We have no visual cues to guess who might be the alien.
3. Stretched Time: For the first test, Ramsay uses 13 cuts over 30 seconds to delay the result. This makes the wait feel even longer than it actually is.
4. Repetition and Anticipation: As each test comes back negative, our anticipation grows. We know the reveal is coming, but we don’t know when.
5. Misdirection: Just when the tension is at its peak, a character speaks up, momentarily distracting us before the big reveal.

By controlling the pacing and what we see, Ramsay keeps us locked into this intensely suspenseful moment, building to one of the best jump scares in horror film history.

Chapter 3: Amplifying Suspense with Cinematography

Last but certainly not least, let’s explore how cinematography can be used to generate suspense. The visual composition of a scene can dramatically affect how we perceive tension.

Light, Framing, and Movement: Zodiac (2007)

In David Fincher’s “Zodiac,” there’s a masterclass in suspenseful cinematography during the basement scene. Cinematographer Harris Savides uses several techniques to transform an innocent situation into a nightmare:

1. Lighting: The scene starts with even lighting, but as tension builds, high contrast lighting accentuates the growing fear. The basement is lit with naked bulbs, creating deep shadows that heighten uncertainty.
2. Framing: As the situation turns, the framing becomes more claustrophobic. We see close-ups of the protagonist with the potential threat looming behind him.
3. Camera Angles: Low-angle shots of the suspect make him more imposing, while similar shots of our protagonist make the ceiling feel like it’s closing in on him.
4. Camera Movement: Slow, creeping camera movements draw out the time and increase tension. Quick pans and tilts match the protagonist’s growing panic.

Through these visual techniques, Savides creates one of the most suspenseful scenes in the film without a single act of violence occurring on screen.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Suspense

Creating truly effective suspense is about more than just a good script – it’s about how that script is brought to life through sound, editing, and cinematography. By manipulating these elements, filmmakers like Fincher, Carpenter, and Refn can make us hold our breath, tighten our muscles, and barely look at the screen.

Remember, at its core, suspense is about three things: time, stakes, and uncertainty. The most effective suspense scenes balance these elements perfectly, using technical skill to amplify what’s on the page.

So the next time you find yourself on the edge of your seat during a movie, take a moment to appreciate the craft behind your discomfort. Listen for the subtle sound design, notice the editing choices, and pay attention to how the scene is shot. You might just gain a deeper appreciation for the art of suspense.

As the great Oscar Wilde once said, “The suspense is terrible. I hope it will last.” And with these techniques in their toolkit, skilled filmmakers can make sure it does.