The effect of openings

Narrative enigma is a question that underpins a story and will usually be answered at the conclusion of the film.

Narrative enigmas, especially doubled with psychological thrillers would, in my opinion, make an interesting film. Although the product is an opening, and what the conclusion would be has not been decided, the opening sequence achieves to create enigmas from the very beginning:

• Who is that man?
• Who is that woman?
• Why is she doing that?
• Why is he being tortured?
• What are their relationship?
• Where are they?..
• Why?

There could still be more to ask, but more importantly, the opening should set the narrative of what is expected to happen or what has happened.

Todorov's theory of equilibrium, disruption and resolution gives a balance of a thriller. However, setting the disruption first within the opening makes it more likely to attract audiences and concerned with the narrative.