'The Number 23' is a mystery thriller film, focusing on what is known as the '23 Enigma' - the belief that most incidents or events have a connection either directly to the integer of 23, or to modifications or related numbers. The title sequence very much revolves around this theory, manipulating it in such a way as to unsettle the audience.
The titles begin by fading into a blank, pale beige screen, creating the illusion of some sort of paper like material. The name of the production company presenting the film, 'New Line Cinema' appears in the corner. Text is emphasised by the abundance of empty space surrounding it, creating a feeling of isolation, as seen above. The font is made to look like that of a typewriter and is written in black, contrasting against the lighter background, meaning it can be read easily, as well as maintaining an overall impression of plainness. The editing throughout the first 20 seconds or so is fairly slow, and is accompanied by a non-diegetic track of soft orchestral music - something highly conventional of the thriller genre, representing what could be seen as the 'calm before the storm'.
This soon changes, however, at around 25 seconds in to the titles. The title of the film is shown in a dark red, emphasising it from the black text surrounding it - multiple repetitions of the number 23. The title then fades in a way that resembles the spreading of blood - another typical convention of films of this genre, thus immediately conveying the film type, and an element of what can probably be expected from he narrative. The title sequence uses the theory of the '23 Enigma' increasingly as it goes along, highlighting it's importance to the film by allocating more and more of the space in the frame to reinforce the phenomenon. This is achieved both through the repetition of the number, as well as the inclusion of facts and historical events which have had some connection with the number - for example, momentous dates in history which add up to 23.
Non -diegetic sound is used at this point to create pace and tension, through layering an edgier, more unnerving orchestral with a fast paced beat. Sound effects are also used throughout, emphasising transitions between frames, and further adding to the feeling of suspense. The synchronous sound of a typewriter is sometimes used as text appears, suggesting that is is being frantically typed as it goes. The creation of this feeling is aided by the increase in the pace of editing as the sequence progresses. Much more sweeping movements and zooms are used in the shots, creating a feeling of uneasiness in the viewer, enhanced by the abundant imagery of blood seeping across the screen. Flash effects are layered on top of the frame, giving the impression of subliminal messaging and reinforcing the importance of the number 23 to the film.
Towards the end of the sequence, the majority of the screen is taken up by pools of blood, with little blank space left in the frame. The editing is extremely fast paced and choppy, and shots flow so rapidly that the text can be quite difficult to read. The usage of bright flashes increases dramatically within the final few seconds of the titles, unsettling the audience further, and fueling feelings apprehension. The strings build to a higher pitched climax, as the music grows louder and the sounds blend, before coming to an abrupt stop. The end of the titles shows the screen being fully saturated with the blood, and a large number '23' in the centre of the frame. The colours blend together into one, and then the red fades into the first scene of the film. We see someone sat in a truck, living life as normal, as the non-diegetic sound of a comparatively softer orchestral piece plays.
I feel that this is a particularly successful opening title sequence, as it clearly conveys typical conventions of the genre, immediately suggesting to the audience what they can expect from the film. It also keeps the viewer in suspense, even before the film itself has started, intriguing them with the usage of facts and figures.
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