You've seen this a hundred times. An odd character appears on screen (The Joker for example) or a disorienting situation happens (someone is drugged or just plain confused) and the camera tilts off kilter. This tilt visually unsettles the image and we know realty no longer applies. This is because naturally we use the horizon as a way of balancing ourselves. When the horizon angles severely it is troubling.

This is a simple trick used to manipulate the audience. We unconsciously register the change and a filmmaker can direct our feelings toward a person or situation with very little effort. An example of the Dutch Angle is below:

Labels: movie watching tip