In Osgood Perkins’ “Longlegs” (2024), Agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) recoils in horror from satanic serial killer Longlegs (Nicolas Cage). It’s a directorial decision that reads as a delightfully creepy homage to Agent Clarice Starling’s (Jodie Foster) similarly visceral response to cannibal murderer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in Jonathan Demme’s “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991). Welcome to the world of reaction shots, where a look of terror, a small smirk, or a “Surprised Pikachu” expression can speak volumes. Let’s explore the technique and its ability to pack a powerful punch.
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A reaction shot is a type of shot that cuts away from the main scene to focus on a character’s response to it, often revealing their internal state and dynamic with the world around them. Unlike a primary action shot, which depicts the main action or a character speaking, this shot captures the emotional ripple effect of the main action, making it an incredibly valuable storytelling tool in filmmaking.
Different kinds of reaction shots
- Close-ups focus closely on a character’s face, capturing subtle changes in expression that can convey plenty of emotion.
- Mediums include some background elements and may show more of the character’s body language, making them a great way to show the physicality of a character’s reaction.
- Over-the-shoulders show the character from behind another character, emphasizing their reaction in the context of an ongoing action or to whom they are reacting to.
- Group shots capture the responses of multiple characters simultaneously in ensemble scenes. This allows the audience to see how different characters react to the same situation, revealing their differences and commonalities.
Provide context: Functionally, these shots contextualize a scene’s major players. In dialogue scenes, they establish who a character may be listening or reacting to. Without them, the audience might become confused or miss key information about the story.
Emphasize emotional moments: From sorrow to joy, anger to peace, admiration to disgust, and across the entire spectrum of emotions, a character’s reaction can reveal more complexity and nuance than the scenario itself.
Build anticipation: Filmmakers often cut away from the action to show how a character feels about what they expect will happen next, thus increasing tension for viewers. For instance, a knock on the door in the middle of the night becomes much scarier after a cut to a terrified protagonist.
“The Godfather” (1972, dir. Francis Ford Coppola): The transformation
Civilian-turned-Mafioso Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) nonverbally shifts from innocence to cold determination just before he pulls the trigger on drug kingpin Sollozzo (Alfredo Lettieri) and corrupt cop McCluskey (Sterling Hayden). His reaction is rooted in the anticipation of everything that has happened in the film leading up to this moment.
“Lost in Translation” (2003, dir. Sofia Coppola): Karaoke connection
The most potent cinematic moments of emotional connection are often conveyed silently. In this scene, the camera pans between Bob (Bill Murray) as he watches Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) sing karaoke and vice versa, revealing a shared sense of longing and connection.
“Inglourious Basterds” (2009, dir. Quentin Tarantino): Suspicions confirmed
Tarantino is a master at crafting suspenseful scenes, such as the nail-biting moment (age-restricted video; watch on YouTube here) that Gestapo major Hellstrom (August Diehl) realizes his suspicions about American spy Hicox (Michael Fassbender) were correct.
“The Office” U.S. (2005–2013): Pregnancy reveal
The hilariously cringe workplace comedy is chock-full with the classic “Jim look” when his colleagues do something outrageous. However, in this example, Jim (John Krasinski) becomes overwhelmed with emotion upon finding out for the first time that Pam (Jenna Fischer) is pregnant—no words necessary.
“The Banshees of Inisherin” (2022, dir. Martin McDonagh): Quiet devastation
In this scene, the simple farmer Pádraic (Colin Farrell) becomes visibly upset after his long-time friend Colm (Brendan Gleeson) says he doesn’t like him anymore. The camera perfectly captures Farrell’s subtle but brilliant facial expressions and body language as he reacts to the situation.
1. Plan it out. Create a shot list, keeping in mind the ways that different types interact. Shooting coverage of a character throughout an entire scene and not just their lines will ensure you capture those reactions.
2. Collaborate with actors. Discuss the emotional beats of the scene with your actors. If you want a scene to focus more on a character’s reaction to dialogue rather than the language itself, be sure to bring this up.
3. The eyes have it. Eyes are windows to the soul. Ensuring that an actor’s eyes are well lit and in clear focus allows you to capture even the most nuanced emotional shifts.
4. Use natural reactions. Sometimes, the best reactions come from unexpected moments. Create an environment where actors can react naturally or even improvisationally, and be prepared to capture them.
5. Keep it simple. A cluttered background can distract viewers, while a shallow depth of field keeps the focus on the character.
6. Try different angles. Think about the camera angle’s emotional impact—a high angle can make a character seem vulnerable, while a low angle can convey power or menace.
7. Consider timing and pacing. The duration should align with the scene’s emotional rhythm. Hold the shot long enough to let the feeling resonate but not so long that it breaks the scene’s flow.
8. Edit thoughtfully. Be selective in the editing room, choosing moments that best advance the story and deepen the audience’s connection to the characters.