Why the opening scene of JAWS is a defining moment in horror

When it comes to capturing the true essence of horror storytelling, the key is to grab your audience as early and as vigorously as you can. If the film starts off too slow, or too plodding, you’ll likely lose the attention of those who are expecting a good scare. Sure, there’s something to be said for lulling someone into a false sense of security before giving them a good adrenaline jolt, but there’s nothing more satisfying as a moviegoer than to be awed within the first few minutes.

In this realm, there’s no movie that digs its claws into the viewer within the first few minutes more than Jaws. Director Steven Spielberg wastes little time in introductions, because in the long run, you don’t have to get attached to these characters to be affected by what happens. When we see the careless young friends celebrating by a fire on the beach, it doesn’t matter that we don’t know who they are, or what their stories may be. By the time the pretty young woman catches the eye of one of the partygoers, who trots off down the beach in pursuit of her, we’re invested enough in what’s happening to not even notice the lack of dialogue.

We get a brief exchange between the two and find out that her name is Chrissie (played by Susan Backline), and she’s eager to dive into the ocean for a nighttime swim. While her new friend struggles to drunkenly get his clothes off, Chrissie is already nude and happily splashing away. That’s when the mood (and music) quickly shifts to instant dread, making it clear there’s something sinister under the water. As Chrissie is thrashed around by the unseen assailant, we get John William’s famous score, accompanied by her frantic and chilling screams for help.

That’s what’s most terrifying about this scene. Help is just a few feet away. She isn’t alone on this beach, there’s plenty of others around; most notably the unnamed man who’s lying nearly unconscious on the beach, unaware of her fight to escape the clutches of the shark that has her in its grasp. We never even see the shark, but in this case, the impact is more terrifying that way. The absolute horror and panic that Chrissie exudes in this vulnerable moment is heart-stopping and traumatizing, and just as quickly as it begins…it’s suddenly over. The screaming ceases, the water calms, and the silence of the night returns.

In terms of horror sequences, this delivers the most gut-punching scenario imaginable. It’s one thing for a character to make careless decisions that ultimately cost them their life. We’ve all witnessed the person on screen who opens the door that clearly should stay shut, or someone who goes down the dark, foreboding path that screams danger, or the group of shortsighted teens who split up instead of staying together. It's another scenario all together to see someone who is playful and innocent being the subject of such unexpected wrath.

Chrissie was simply looking for a bit of reverie on a summer night. The town of Amity, as we quickly learn, is a small village that relies on tourism to stay afloat. It isn't a place where crime or violence is a factor, and that may be the most heartbreaking, and terrifying conclusion of this entire sequence. In just five minutes, the emotions of the viewer are accelerated, and then swiftly extinguished, much like the life of the young woman who just simply wanted to go for a swim.

Words by Steph Cannon

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