Director
David Slade
Leading Actors/Actresses
Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson
Supporting Actors/Actresses
Sandra Oh, Jennifer Holmes, and Erin Kraft
Genre
Thriller
Language
English
Awards
N/A
Date of Release
April 14, 2006
Producer
Rosanne Korenberg and Paul Allen
Setting and Context
The United States during the present day
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person point of view
Tone and Mood
Violent, Solemn, Brooding, and Tense
Protagonist and Antagonist
Hayley versus Jeff
Major Conflict
The major conflict occurs when Hayley tries to torture Jeff in the hope that he admits to his heinous crimes or kills himself.
Climax
The climax occurs when Jeff finally realizes and accepts the person he is after hours of torture.
Foreshadowing
The missing persons photo of Donna that is shown early on in the film foreshadows Jeff confessing to her rape and murder.
Understatement
Hayley's cruelty is understated in the film.
Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques
N/A
Allusions
Allusions are made to the T.V. Show 20/20, popular culture, film noir, and the films Valley of the Dolls, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Fatal Attraction, and I Spit on Your Grave.
Paradox
Hayley is a seemingly innocent child yet acts in a way that is characteristic of a mentally disturbed adult.
Parallelism
The torture and suffering Jeff's victims go through parallels the torture that he must endure.
