'Coherence' Full Length Film Analysis

Coherence is a science fiction mystery film directed by James Ward Byrkit

Plot
A dinner party is held between 8 friends, which happens to be on the night of an astronomical disaster, as a comet hits the Earth. The film begins in equilibrium as the characters are greeting each other and exchanging phatic conversation. Disequilibrium then occurs as there are hints towards the disaster as small things begin to go wrong. Following this is the recognition of disequilibrium within the characters, as they become frantic and panicked, then begin trying to solve the mystery. Unlike in the trailer, there is a resolution at the end, however, this is not a conventional coda, as things are not back to normal and the film ends still with elements unsolved and a feeling of suspense. 
This narrative does follow Todorov's theory of equilibrium vaguely, however, it has been adapted slightly to fit the diegesis.

The narrative differs from the trailer in the feature length film as the trailer misses out key details to leave the audience with questions, whereas, the film answers these questions and provides a resolution at the end.

How Genre is Conveyed

Camera Angles, Shots, Movement and Composition

• The film includes lots of close-ups of characters' reactions to allow the audience to see their panic and anxiety, this enhances the overall genre.
• High angle shots are used to make the characters look vulnerable and weak, which helps to convey the genre, as it seems mysterious.
• Lots of long shots are used to allow the audience to see the situation that the characters are in, whereas, in the trailer more is cut out, to make the audience more intrigued.

Editing

• A slower pace of editing at the start of the film created a feel of equilibrium and therefore created a more dramatic feel when the main event occurred.
• The quick cuts between characters created a 'whodunit' feel and suggests that they are all to blame, conveying the mystery genre.
• Eye-line matches were used to allow the audience to get a better understanding of what is going on. This were missed out in some parts of the trailer to leave a sense of anticipation and mystery.

Sound

• Foley is used throughout to enhance prominent moments and make them more engaging.
• Dramatic, fast-paced scores are used to build up tension and suspense, this conveys the mystery genre.
• They use calm dialogue at the start to create a feel of equilibrium which contrasts with the frantic, panicked feel towards the end.

Mise-en-scene

• A lot of low-key lighting is used throughout the disequilibrium to create a mysterious, eerie feel, as it connotes danger and fear.
• They use props, such as a table tennis bat and glow-sticks, throughout as the main theme, this is effective as it makes the film original and interesting.

Unique Selling Point of the Film
Interestingly, Byrkit decided to produce the film on a very low budget, as he wanted to test the idea of shooting a film "without a crew and without a script", meaning that the success of the film was down to the actors/actress' ability to improvise. To enhance this idea, he made sure he casted actors that did not know each other already, to add to the spontaneity. He kept the actors very much in the dark throughout the whole process and threw curveballs and red-herrings at them to allow the film to evolve organically and interestingly. The simplicity of the set allowed all of this to be captured easily. Byrkit stated: