Todorov Theory states that all films should have a narrative. A narrative is where there is a connection between events, such as a beginning, middle and end. There are five stages the narrative can progress through.
Firstly, a state of equilibrium (all is as it should be). In our film we can see a state of equilibrium because the first few scenes show Donald and Shelly talking by the lockers about their plans for that following evening. However, we can also see Sandra (Donald’s stalker) looking in on the conversation distressed, as she clearly wants to be the one going to Donald’s house. The next few scenes of Shelly entering Donald’s house keeps the state of equilibrium.
However a disruption starts to occur, as the viewers see Shelly entering Donald’s house, in the back of the shot we can see Sandra standing outside the house. This is the second stage of the narrative process. The following disruption that occurs in the middle of the film is where Sandra kills Shelly in the bathroom.
The third stage of the theory is where there is a recognition that the disorder has occurred. This can be shown when Donald goes to the bottom of the stairs looking for Shelly and instead sees Sandra at the top of the stairs with a knife; covered in Shelly’s blood. This shows that Donald has realised what has happened and that there has been a disruption in the equilibrium.
As this is only the opening sequence we cannot reach the full five stages. However if we continued the film the stages would have been completed because in an attempt to restore the damage of the disruption caused by Sandra. Sandra would have to pay for what she did to Shelly. Therefore there would be a slow restoration to a new equilibrium which could have been Donald moving on with his life.
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