Simple Suspense

The films being made today are losing the art of suspense. I love old suspense movies and am disappointed they no longer make them the way they used. Today they make horror movies instead. With horror the films scare and surprise with disturbing and shocking images. In suspense the excitement is built up from situation and circumstances.

One of the most suspenseful movies I have ever seen was Wait Until Dark starring Audrey Hepburn. It has been so long since I have seen it but remember literally jumping out of my seat. It was a simple plot: a blind woman locked in her home with two crooks. There was no shocking violence, you saw everything before it happened and it still leaves you tense throughout.

We cannot discuss suspense without mentioning Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense. One of my favorite Hitchcock films is Rear Window. Once when watching it—I had started it alone—my roommates and a neighbor came in and the movie briefly became background to the conversations. The skill and suspense of Hitchcock gradually yet quickly took over the attention of everyone in the room. For two in the room it was the first time seeing it.

They were tense and jittery, and those of us who have seen the movie were enjoying watching them. They would nervously inch to the edge of the seat then rock back, rise to a half stand then fall back into the sofa, raise their hands to the tops of their heads then back down all the while stone silent. Even their gasps were silent. How did Hitchcock accomplish all this? With the turn of a glance, the silent click of a phone and the flick of a light switch.

Suspense films used to be simple yet effective. Today they have to be grand and extravagant to be effective.