Which film technique is commonly used to create tension or suspense?

The use of close-ups is a film technique that effectively creates tension or suspense by focusing closely on a subject, often highlighting their emotions, expressions, or reactions in an intimate way. This technique draws the audience’s attention to the details that might signify impending danger or emotional conflict. The intensity of a close-up can amplify the viewer's feelings of anxiety or anticipation, as it allows them to connect more deeply with the character’s experience.

Close-ups can leave little room for distraction, encouraging the audience to focus solely on emotionally charged moments, which is crucial in scenes designed to evoke suspense. This heightened emotional engagement helps to build an atmosphere of uncertainty or peril, intensifying the overall experience of the film.

In contrast, wide shots of landscapes tend to establish context or setting rather than focus on specific emotional details. High-angle shots might suggest vulnerability or powerlessness, but they do not directly cultivate suspense in the same immediate manner as close-ups. Transition scenes often serve narrative purposes, marking changes in time or location, and while they can contribute indirectly to tension, they lack the concentrated focus needed to instill immediate suspense.