The most dramatic settings in movie history

How many different genres of film can you name? From comedies to dramas and everything in between, the industry is a vibrant one with producers all around the world vying for a chance to make their most memorable work. No matter which genre they select, however, everyone is trying to accomplish the same thing: to help viewers feel something.

Movies that evoke an emotional response from viewers are often the most memorable and successful. But what kind of situation is most effective at capturing viewer attention? This article explores the settings in films that often lead to the most tense and dramatic scenes.

Casinos

First up on the list, casinos are the perfect backdrop for more serious situations. As classic films like The Gambler (1974) and Molly’s Game (2017) show, the setting is highly variable and is just as effective at producing tension and drama whether the movie in question is almost stiflingly serious or has a bit of levity.

From players shouting in the background to the relative crush of humanity present in them, there’s a reason casinos rank as our top pick. If you’d like to understand casino films a bit better, do some research into money payout platforms and examine how they work and what are the most famous casino platforms on the internet.

Hospitals

This one almost feels like cheating! Hospital scenes are among the most dramatic in cinema history. Few places in real life can evoke dread as effortlessly as the hospital. Whether you’re visiting a family member or have a simple doctor’s appointment, anxiety is a big part of the medical experience for many people.

From mental health facilities to your run-of-the-mill health evaluator, films like While You Were Sleeping (1995), Steel Magnolias (1989) and Black Swan (2010) show just how effective the setting can be at producing dramatic and tense scenes.

Abandoned roads

When filmmakers really want to amp up the drama in their films, they often add an abandoned road scene to the mix. There are a few reasons this setting is so effective. First, empty roads are eerie. We’re used to seeing them filled with noise and people, so when they’re empty and silent, it feels alien to us. They’re also perfect for chase scenes, which are some of the most emotionally harrowing in the industry!

Films like No Country for Old Men (2007), The Road (2009) and Chernobyl Diaries (2012) perfectly illustrate why the setting can be such an unsettling one.

Cemeteries

Similar to hospitals, cemeteries are inherently emotional, with most people having either a very strong aversion or a peaceful enjoyment of them. The idea of walking on top of hundreds or thousands of people who have passed is a sobering one, and whether you find them peaceful or concerning, cemeteries have a way of capturing your attention and pushing your emotions into overdrive.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) is a perfect example of this. You might immediately categorize the film as a horror movie, but the truth is that Night of the Living Dead — the original, at least — is much more effective at setting the mood than it is at delivering explosive scares.

Are you interested in tense and dramatic cinema? Any of the settings above will help you find the perfect scene. Whether you want a horror movie, a fantasy flick or something that runs uncomfortably close to life, start at the top of the list and work your way down to find the one that means the most to you.