I always like looking for clues in movies. I believe that there is something in every frame that serves a purpose in telling the story. This could vary from character traits to a prop that emphasizes the setting. Other instances are showing something that ties into another movie or universe. In my opinion, everything in a shot means something. I tend to look for things in shots or scenes that could indicate foreshadowing.
I dislike spoilers, but I do not consider foreshadowing to be the same. It is one thing if someone blatantly spoils a film’s ending to someone who has not seen it yet. However, if something lies in the film as you are watching it, then that’s different.
There have been a few instances where foreshadowing ruined an ending for me. For example, Secret Window (2004) rolled downhill from the very first shot. Johnny Depp looks at the camera while we hear his thoughts. I connected that scene with the plot of the film. [SPOILER ALERT] From that moment on, I knew that everything that happened would occur in his head. John Turturro’s character randomly turning up and telling Depp that he stole his story is only a figment of his imagination. I mean, if the twist is the characters being figments of one’s imagination, maybe the film should not have started with Depp having a voice in his head. [END SPOILER ALERT]
I will be using “SPOILER ALERT” a couple of times in this article because I would be hypocritical if I didn’t. As previously stated, I don’t like when people spoil things without warning, so I thought it would be fair to warn you.
The foreshadowing in Secret Window happened way too early in the film. It should have happened in a later scene, maybe when the viewer is already absorbed in everything that already occurred. Perhaps the film would have worked then.
Now I want to share a couple of great uses of foreshadowing in film. Nothing that gives away anything crucial, but still effective. These relate to well-known film characters.
In The Dark Knight (2008), Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) interrogates a thug in an alley. The thug tried to assassinate the mayor, which rubs Dent the wrong way. Dent also wants to know the whereabouts of The Joker, who is the mastermind behind the attempt. Dent takes a darker approach in interrogating by being in an alleyway with a gun. He attempts to scare the thug by flipping his signature coin in a “head or tails” chance on his life.
As the scene progresses, you might notice that one side of his face is lit, with the other darkened. The lighting foreshadows his transformation into Two-Face. When Batman stops the whole thing, Dent eventually comes to his senses, and we now see both sides of his face again. This scene is well-directed, acted, and shot.
Another movie that uses lighting to foreshadow a character’s transformation is Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005). Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan Kenobi are about to part ways when Obi-Wan leaves for a special mission.
You will notice that Anakin stays on the ship and out of the daylight, remaining in a darkened area. Obi-Wan is out of the ship and into the sunlight. This staging foreshadows Anakin’s turn to the dark side and his transformation into Darth Vader. Obi-Wan even says, “Goodbye, old friend,” which also signifies that this is the last time they talk as friends.
The following uses of foreshadowing do contain spoilers to the endings of their films.
The Sixth Sense (1999) has one of the most mind-blowing twists I have ever seen in a film. I remember watching it a second time looking for clues of how the ending could have been possible; there are several.
One of them is when Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) walks into a restaurant to meet his wife for their anniversary dinner. He sits down in front of her, not moving the chair to make room for himself. The chair is already out from under the table. Also, the wife does not look up at him at all when he enters. She only looks up when she is signing the bill after the waiter sets it down. The waiter does not even notice Malcolm, nor does he set the bill in front of him.
[SPOILER ALERT] All of this foreshadows the fact that Malcolm is dead but does not know it yet. His wife must’ve set the chair out so that she can have a moment to pretend that he is there. She morosely says, “Happy anniversary,” and leaves. Malcolm thought he made her mad by being late, but she was already sad since it was their first anniversary after his death. [END SPOILER ALERT]
The final moment I want to share is in A Christmas Story (1983). This movie is about Ralphie (Peter Billingsley), who wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. After trying to persuade his mother (Melinda Dillon), teacher, and even the store Santa Claus, Ralphie feels dismissed after they all tell him that he will shoot his eye out.
Near the end of the film, the family gets up and opens their Christmas gifts. Everyone seems excited, except for the dad (Darren McGavin), who appears to be hungover from the night before. His mother forces Ralphie to try on the pink bunny suit from his aunt. Ralphie reluctantly leaves the room to do so. The scene cuts to the mom giving Ralphie’s brother, Randy, a gift. In the corner of the shot, you might see the dad walking back to the couch from behind the tree. His demeanor before implied that he is too weak or lazy to get off the couch.
[SPOILER ALERT] After the embarrassing bunny costume display and opening the gifts, Ralphie feels sad that he did not get his BB gun. However, the dad points to something behind the desk next to the tree. Ralphie pulls out a long, wrapped box and opens it to find the BB gun inside. [END SPOILER ALERT]
I watched this film many times before noticing the dad up and around in the corner of the screen. After I did, I almost shouted, “Of course!” This framing is genius and could almost fool anyone watching it the first ten times, at least, I like to hope it would.
Foreshadowing is a fun cinematic technique. I like to think of it as a gift to those who pay strict attention to the films they are watching. Of course, it wouldn’t be fun if it were blatantly obvious. I’m still mad about Secret Window.
Happy watching!
