Genre Research: Tropes Openings

Tropes Openings in Murder Mystery:

In murder mystery films there are some common trope's Openings I would like to look at for making this film. These opening story tropes include Enter the Hero (Meet the detective), Establish Relation (normally the place), Follow Genre. In this research post I will look at 2 examples to get a better idea of making these films

Knives out

This film's Opening uses establish relationship between the murdered and his house. The coffee mug with my house, my rules, my coffee shows the humor and connection between the house and him. Then the eccentric statues litter the halls. This again shows establishes the relationships with setting. Which the establishing of relation is a common trope opening in any mystery genre. 

Knives Out 2019 opening scene

Clue the movie (1985)

This film even though a semi parody of the genre but follows the established tropes of the genre. The starts with establishing the setting of a setting, weather and introducing one of 7 contagionist/"hero". This opening scene gives us a concentrated group and gives the setting. With the uptake of rain and wind this creates a trapped feeling. Along with a mood and tone of an ominous atmosphere. 

Clue the movie (1985)

Similarity 

Both films use Establish Relation with the setting. This allows both films to investigate their respective houses and look for clues for who the murder is. This also, allows us to also be surprised alongside the characters. Along with the music which was discussed in this post: https://theproceduresofmediaandfilm2025.blogspot.com/2026/01/in-film-mystery-films-use-sound-to.html. The music allows use to separate the genre, the strings, and pitch.

Difference

The main difference is the idea of restraint. Knives Out show the death in the first 2 minutes. This is the opposite in Clue the movie with it taking 10 plus minutes to have the body.

Our Film

With the following research presented my group has decided to show relation with setting and causal agent. We will show the body but have restraint when showing the actual protagonist.