A motif in a film is a reoccurring sound/action/prop of which shows absolute

significance in the piece. Motifs usually foreshadow an event or happening, with

a way of engaging the audience as they know that something is about to
happen. Some motifs stay hidden in forms of Easter eggs, yet most them can
represent the film as a whole.
Motif A dominant or recurring idea in an artistic work
THE BABADOOK
In the film The Babadook the book is used as a motif to foreshadow the rest of
the film taking a simple story and turning it into a reality this not only is
shown in the film but the realism is strongly felt by the audience, as well as
acting as a constant reminder of ominous events for the characters and the
audience itself. The scene when the book miraculously disappears makes the
audience feel on edge and worried as the only people in the house are the
mother and her son, as well as this, it creates connotations of untrustworthiness.
The un-expectancy of when and where the book will turn up next foreshadows
the rest of the film, especially reflect the character of the Babadook. The book is
incredibly symbolic as it establishes who the antagonising spirit is, as well as
that, it forewarns the characters in the film that something may not be right. This
is reinforced by the knocking on the door which intensifies the scene and breaks
the silence made. Accompanied by the book, it explains thoroughly who the
Babadook character is even without seeing him, again, going from the idea that
he is a spirit (from a childs book) and he is incredibly unpredictable it makes
the audience think of him as a mysterious and unexpected monster, who has a
strong and interrupting presence which is incredibly chilling to know.
THOR
In the film Thor a motif that is used is ancient/Asgardian clothing and relics, this
symbolises the characters power yet also separates them from the world of
which we live on. The elegant pieces of which are displayed would mesmerise
the audience as well as see them as outcasts in our society. When Thors friends
came to bring him home from Earth, many civilians stop and stare at these
costumes, connoting confusion and irregularity. However, these motifs symbolise
personality and strength in the Asgardian world.
ALIEN
The bleeping sound of which emits from the tracker is an intense motif of which
keeps the audience on edge and it is ominous for the rest of the film. The sound
usually connotes danger as something bad always happens next, for example,
the sound always appears when an alien is nearby and when the audience
hears this, that is what they expect. However, the regularity of the sound is
played on a bit throughout the film. As the director uses it in stages to trick the
audience into thinking that they know what is going to happen next, then, when
an alien doesnt show up, it leaves them on the edge of their seats anticipating
what will happen. As well as this motif, it is exaggerated nearer to the end of the
film when different alarms and buzzers go off accompanied by an underlying
white noise which makes the whole scene very symbolic and powerful to watch.
Through this method of motif usage, the Director wanted to make a small sound
of which usually has no meaning into a catastrophic foreshadowing symbol of

danger, therefore, considering that most build-up in the film is silent to add
intensity, the director uses the whole soundscape as a form of motif.
To conclude, we can clearly see how in different genres, motifs can be similar yet
could make the audience feel completely different in different films. For example,
the motif in Alien develops a tense tone and atmosphere, yet the motifs in Thor
create a sense of mystery and excitement. Motifs in films can change and be
emphasised as well as be something so subtle that it you have no idea that its
staring you right in the face. The audience should recognise the motifs in films,
even if they notice it at the end of the film.