The Suspense is Killing Her

Matilda

Directed by Danny Devito

   While the book was published in 1988, and the film was produced almost ten years after that, the fact that Matilda still holds as a family favorite truly shows what an ageless classic it is. The story revolves around an extraordinarily bright seven year old telekinetic who uses her powers to deal with her neglectful family and the oppressive school principal. The director, Danny Devito, creates an impactful film with the help of several suspense building techniques including use of disorienting camera angles and the use of dramatic irony.

   Devito's use of disorienting camera angles shots in several instances creates a sense of panic and increasing suspense. He does this in multiple ways throughout the entire scene but more so in the beginning of the clip. The opening begins with Ms. Trunchbull jumping off second floor, landing with a resounding thud. When this takes place, a number of things follow, like books falling from their shelves, and even a chandelier coming undone from the ceiling. 

   In addition to this, the camera shakes and tilts back and forth. By doing this, DeVito manages to make the audience feel like they are within the actual scene itself. Secondly, following that clip, we see Ms. Trunchbull run in the direction of the kitchen, where the audience knows Matilda is hiding. The scene then includes a clip of the camera rapidly zooming in on Matilda's panicked face. The reason this addition is so effective in creating suspense is because it makes the audience feel like its Ms. Trunchbull looking at Matilda, not the viewer himself, thus creating a sense of panic.

   Devito's use of dramatic irony, as well, adds to the increasing suspense in this scene. This particular feature is worked throughout the entire scene but is more prominent towards the middle and end of the clip.

   The first time this is displayed is when the audience knows Matilda is hiding in the kitchen and Ms. Trunchbull suddenly shows up, causing Matilda to duck under the table. Devito creates a sense of rising tension when he shows Ms. Trunchbull's appearance in the kitchen. Suspense is created by doing this because the audience knows Matilda is hiding beneath the table but Ms. Trunchbull doesnt, so when Ms. Trunchbull begins looking around the kitchen, the audience panics.

   Another time dramatic irony is used is when Matilda and Ms. Honey are in the cellar and they are trying to escape through the window but they can't because it's locked. Devito creates a sense of suspense here because he shows the audience that Ms. Trunchbull is coming downstairs to the basement, and this sense of dread increases when she goes in the direction Matilda and Ms. Honey are trapped. Since only the audience knows Ms. Trunchbull is approaching, but Matilda and Ms. Honey don't, the audience feels increasingly anxious.

   With the use of disorienting camera angles, Devito makes the audience feel like they are in the film itself. With the use of dramatic irony, Devito manages to create anxiety in the audience because the audience is privy to crucial information the main characters, Matilda and Ms. Honey, are not. Conclusively, by using these techniques, not only is Danny Devito able to successfully create a sense of suspense, but he also manages to create an ageless classic that many people continue to enjoy watching more than twenty years later.