I love this high-contrast shot from The Exorcist. Father Merrin is cloaked in shadow against that moonlight-blue background. It’s evocative, graphic, and striking. The blue light behind him cloaks him in shadow, keeping his face almost entirely hidden, making his entrance feel all the more ominous.
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It’s a shot that reminds me that filmmaking is an art form, even in genre filmmaking. There are stories to tell and scares to deliver, but some filmmakers, like Friedkin, Eggers, are also interested in creating beautiful imagery along the way. And sometimes, a single shot like this is enough to remind you of the beauty of the medium.
