Setting Discussion

   For the setting of our psychological thriller, we chose locations that create an eerie and tense atmosphere. The main location is a Wendy's which starts as an ordinary place but becomes unsettling as the story unfolds. At first the Wendy's feels warm and casual with people talking, eating, and the soft hum of background chatter. The protagonist and her friend sit in a booth talking while a news report about missing people plays on a nearby TV. This detail adds tension without changing the calm feel of the scene. But as the protagonist takes her pills and starts to feel uncomfortable, the mood shifts. The large windows which once let in natural light now feel like a barrier between the inside and outside world. The protagonist’s paranoia grows when she notices a car parked outside with someone watching her and holding a camera aimed at their booth. When the car suddenly disappears her unease increases turning the Wendy's from a normal place into something much creepier. As the background noise fades into silence the scene changes pulling the audience deeper into the protagonist’s growing paranoia. The Wendy's has windows surrounding the area allowing the detective to be seen outside raising the tension.

    Another important setting is the Wendy's bathroom where a key moment happens in the story. The small isolated space makes the protagonist feel even more paranoid especially when she notices a red stain on her sleeve while strange whispers and water sounds echo in the background. The shift from the open social area of the Wendy's to the tight private bathroom space makes the tension even stronger. Also the appearance of a mysterious man who watches the protagonist and talks to someone through a walkie-talkie turns the Wendy's from a public safe place into something unsettling. These locations combined with the sound design and camera shots help build the psychological horror making the audience feel the main character’s growing fear and confusion.

    The final location is the protagonist's home which has a large hallway that connects to the kitchen. The open space in the hallway allows for smooth uninterrupted shots perfect for filming the flashbacks of blood on the walls. With no obstacles like walls in the way this setting creates the ideal environment for these intense moments. Using these locations the Wendy's the spacious bathroom and the open hallway at home helps create a mix of public and private spaces that add to the unease and support the growing tension and confusion of the protagonist.