Analysis of Rihanna - Disturbia (using Goodwin's Ideas)

The video I will deconstruct is 'Disturbia' by Rihanna as it shares the genre of pop with my chosen track ('Lollipop') and shares the video genre of performance. Though my video will not resemble 'Disturbia' in terms of concept, prop use or lighting, there are particular visual ideas from the video which I would consider replicating.


The video begins with an uncomfortable (off tune bizarre sounds) intro of the song, which sounds like it is drowning out and echoed. This is accompanied by the dark under lighting creating shadows on the characters faces insinuating a dark song; sound and vision work nicely here.


In addition the use of props adds to the Gothic idea of the video as the scene looks as though it is a torture room with its devices. This video reads beyond realism as the video slightly romanticises torture in the sense a female victim/torturer (rather than a male) looks glamourous rather than vicious; even though in reality torture is an unfortunate occurrence. The name of the video 'Disturbia' is instantly picked up as we see a woman struggling with her hands tied assuming she is disturbed from the torture. We see fast movements within the character as she makes jerky movements. This effect is created by cutting frames from a sequence which the human eye cannot establish the 'gap' in the sequence.

During the first verse of the song, we understand that Rihanna is confused and this is illustrated in the video as we see images of Rihanna in a cage, often shaking her head vigorously and 'going insane'.


The idea of Rihanna being a prisoner is related to the song's lyrical message as there are many hints in the lyrics that she is in fact paranoid and disturbed and this mirrors the images shown to the audience. They may not be as literal as the lyrics may read e.g. a thief at night coming out to grab you, this is not literally seen, though we see the symbolism and metaphorical meaning behind this line. We then see a conflicting side of Rihanna as we see her taking a dominating role where she pats the head of a man. It conflicts with the idea of her being the prisoner being tortured initially, then seeing her being the torturer. This could be Rihanna's alter-ego where she plays both roles of victim and torturer and so the role switches back and forth, therefore the performance iconography intentionally contradicts the meaning of the song (which its lyrics may be subjective to either victim or torturer).

Torturer? (@ 1:55)

Prisoner? (@ 0:42 & 2:09)

Rihanna's dance routine is a reference to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' routine, where the moves are very sharp, static and robotic due to the frames being cut. There is also that element of horror and Gothicism similar to 'Thriller's.

Rihanna is heavily promoted as she is the main star of the video. This hidden promotion is represented by routine close-ups of her face, flattering or unflattering (due to the concept of this video). There are many close-up shots of Rihanna's face which connects a sense of intimacy with the audience and with Rihanna, but towards the end, a particular close up questions our sympathy for her as the close-up is not as 'friendly' as the others. Her eyes are nearly rolled up in the back of her head, and the slight vindictive smile she has gives her away, and immediately we remember the torturer role she plays.

Notice the soft lighting coming in from the side - It gives the impression as if she is the victim, and we feel her pain.

The harsh under lighting here contradicts the previous close up - We see a dark side to Rihanna, she does not look like the victim here, more like the torturer. (Supposed alter-ego?)