Why is Alien/Aliens so claustrophobic?

Alien Movies Forum Topic

IO

MemberOvomorphMarch 20, 20123440 Views10 Replies

In the thirty years I've watched and absorbed these movies and novels, I cannot figure out why I get so damn claustrophobic before or after I watch or think about them. Other space movies or sci-fi doesn't do that, only this franchise, especially the first two. Is it Giger's otherworldly, nightmarish somewhat perverted biomechanics? Is it being trapped in outer space? The haunting smphonic music? Too much weed and acid? I don't know, but other input may help me figure out why Alien/s scares me in all ways that I sometimes actually avoid it.

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Replies to Why is Alien/Aliens so claustrophobic?

burt
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March 20, 2012

Lots of tightly framed shots close to the actors, very little pulled back shots showing too much at any one time.

Scottie
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March 20, 2012

Burt's right. No other movie I've seen keeps the characters so close to the camera. that, plus the sets. The largest in A L I E N was the Space Jockey's set which was later converted to the egg room. After that, everything else was in-tight and 'in-your-face'.

Famished
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March 20, 2012

Confined spaces dictated by environment. Life is dependent on some very tangible variables. Nowhere to run.

Automatic_Python
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March 20, 2012

Alien was a classic boiler room horror movie, and keeping the camera close to the characters makes us identify with them more

brego
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March 20, 2012

Fantastic Editing, Great Atmospheric lighting, Tight Script and not too much bastardry by executive producers. Truly one of the most claustaphobic films ever made.

av3nger
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March 20, 2012

Buried.

Lord Ennio
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March 21, 2012

As others have said, it's due to the manner in which the film is shot. Again, both films re-visit the "Ten Little Indians" idea. As we've seen, in a haunted house, everything is closed in and threatening. So here these folks are inside this web with nowhere to go.

brego
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March 22, 2012

The Descent. Some bad acting, but V Claustrophobic.

alteredstate.
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March 22, 2012

its great if your Agoraphobic lol

SabotAndHeat
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March 26, 2012

To add: After watching the Anthology Supplimental material Mr. Cameron talked a little on the British director of photography (?) and his issues with how dark the sets were. If I remember correctly, that guy was replaced because he kept over-lighting the sets which was counter to Mr. Camerons wishes. Most of the claustrophobic shots are 50% darkness. I think the lack of visual information really adds to the feeling. Then throw in the scene where Bishop gets into the pipe and crawls his way to the Comms dish...yikes...! ! ! !