How opening sequences create enigma/mystery

I will be analysing two opening sequences from different genres to establish how they create enigma/mystery.

Baby Driver, drama/crime film released in 2017:


Enigma/mystery is created by:

• A close up of all four characters at the beginning, with no closure or conversation to show who they are. No personal identity is achieved.
• As they walk into a bank wearing black with large bags, one can assume they are about to rob the bank, however, the driver remains in the car listening to music. This creates mystery as the actor playing the driver is not who you would expect to play a getaway driver. This fact alone creates enigma as the audience is interested to learn about this.
• The motive behind this robbery is unknown, and a plot does not develop throughout the opening sequence, creating mystery.
• The choice of music is unlike what you would expect to hear during a high adrenaline police chase.
• The main plot elements throughout this opening sequence raise questions as to how the storyline is going to develop.

Divergent, utopian and dystopian genre, released in 2014:

Enigma/mystery is created by:

• Desolate and destructed buildings and features are a main focus at the beginning, establishing the enigma code as the audience starts to wonder what happened
• People are only seen in the middle of the opening sequence, and they are all wearing certain colour clothing, creating mystery.
• As the sequence progresses, a woman begins speaking, describing who each group of people are, but deliberately excluding why they are living the way they are and what happened.
• The clear constructed representation makes it more relatable to the audience, and very futuristic.
• As no clear description or storyline is developed throughout the opening sequence, the audience is left in mystery.