‘In Medias Res’ in Action Films: Why Every Car Chase Feels Like a Cold Open
In action films, the first moments are crucial in setting the tone and grabbing the audience’s attention. One of the most effective ways directors achieve this is by using a technique called ‘In Medias Res’—starting in the middle of an event or action, instead of slowly building up to it.
Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the high-octane, heart-pounding world of car chases. Whether it’s a high-speed pursuit through city streets, a dramatic escape on a winding mountain road, or a wild race through narrow alleyways, car chases are often the first scene to explode onto the screen. And they almost always feel like they’re part of a larger story—one that we haven’t yet seen but are immediately invested in.
So why do these sequences feel so intense right from the start? And how does ‘In Medias Res’ contribute to the adrenaline rush of a car chase? Let’s break down this powerful storytelling technique and how it enhances action films.
What is ‘In Medias Res’?
To understand why ‘In Medias Res’ works so well in car chases, we first need to revisit the basics of the technique. ‘In Medias Res’ is a narrative device where a story begins in the middle of an action or event, instead of starting from the beginning or with long exposition.
The idea is simple: throw your audience directly into the thick of the story. Rather than build up to a moment, you open with a scene that’s already in progress—leaving viewers eager to figure out what led up to it, and what will happen next.
In action films, car chases are often one of the most effective ways to use ‘In Medias Res’, as they start with explosive action and gradually reveal the circumstances behind it.
Why Car Chases Work So Well with ‘In Medias Res’
Immediate Action
Car chases are the epitome of fast-paced action, and when they kick off right from the start, there’s no waiting around. In Medias Res drops the audience right into the heat of the chase—speeding vehicles, screeching tires, and narrow escapes. You don’t need a build-up; the tension is inherent in the scene. The audience can feel the urgency of the situation without any context, and that feeling keeps them on edge.
Take ‘The Bourne Identity’, for example. The film opens with an intense car chase where Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is on the run, being pursued by armed assassins. We don’t know who Bourne is at first or why he’s being chased, but the high-speed pursuit immediately grabs our attention. The thrill of the chase overrides the need for initial explanations, pulling us into the story right away.
Building Curiosity
One of the hallmarks of ‘In Medias Res’ is its ability to raise questions without immediately answering them. In a car chase, you’re thrown into the middle of the action—who is the person being chased? Why are they running? What’s at stake? These questions add to the tension. As viewers, we’re desperate to know the answers, so we stick with the film to discover more.
In ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, the opening car chase doesn’t waste time explaining the world or setting up the plot. It’s a thrilling, high-speed escape, and only as the chase progresses do we begin to piece together the chaotic, post-apocalyptic world that Max (Tom Hardy) is a part of. The lack of immediate context doesn’t lessen the impact of the chase—in fact, it enhances it by keeping the focus on action and mystery.
A Global Sense of Urgency
Car chases in action films often take place in high-risk, high-reward environments—think of narrow streets, speeding through busy intersections, or dodging other traffic. These settings amplify the tension, and the fast-moving action helps establish that there’s no time to waste. Starting the story with such a tense, fast-paced event immediately sets the tone for the rest of the movie: this is a race against time.
In ‘Fast & Furious 7’, the movie opens with an exhilarating sequence that feels like a continuation of the chaos from earlier films in the series. From the very beginning, the pace is frantic, and the audience knows that this world is full of dangerous, high-speed thrills. Starting with a car chase lets the viewers know exactly what kind of story they’re in for.
How ‘In Medias Res’ Shapes the Storytelling of Car Chases
Thrills Before Details
When a car chase begins ‘in medias res’, the action takes center stage before any details or backstory are provided. It’s all about the rush of the moment, and that intensity is what draws the viewer in. Unlike traditional storytelling, where there might be a build-up to a car chase, using ‘In Medias Res’ means you can deliver thrills right out of the gate.
For example, in ‘The Italian Job’ (2003), the movie opens with a high-speed getaway, instantly throwing us into a tense situation. As we watch the chase unfold, we’re not immediately given information about the characters or why the chase is happening. Instead, the action carries the story, making us stay engaged for the answers.
Implied Stakes and High Tension
The stakes of a car chase are often implied through the urgency and chaos of the situation. By the time the chase starts, we can tell there’s something important happening, even if we don’t fully understand why yet. This adds layers of excitement, as the audience knows that this pursuit is critical, even if they don’t know how or why.
Take ‘Drive’ (2011), for example. The opening car chase is so slick and tense that you feel the stakes without needing an explanation. The driver (Ryan Gosling) is being pursued, and while the scene is not heavy on exposition, it sets up a feeling of imminent danger that underpins the rest of the film.
Building the World Through Action
In many action films, especially ones that rely heavily on car chases, ‘In Medias Res’ can also serve as a quick way to establish the rules and dynamics of the film’s world. A high-speed chase in a futuristic city or a post-apocalyptic wasteland says a lot about the environment, the culture, and the resources available. Through these fast-paced moments, directors can show rather than tell—highlighting the grittiness, the high stakes, and the constant sense of danger without needing to explain every detail upfront.
In ‘John Wick’ (2014), the movie opens with a short but intense action sequence that quickly shows us the danger in the world Wick inhabits. We don’t need an elaborate introduction; the action speaks for itself, immediately establishing the tension and fast-paced rhythm that will define the film.
The Power of ‘In Medias Res’ in Action Films
In action films, car chases are more than just thrilling moments—they’re a way to start the story with energy and mystery, immediately engaging the audience and setting the tone for what’s to come. By employing ‘In Medias Res’, filmmakers thrust the audience into the middle of the action, building curiosity and ramping up the stakes from the very first frame.
For directors and screenwriters, using ‘In Medias Res’ in car chases ensures that viewers are hooked from the beginning, eager to understand the who, what, and why behind the chaos they’re witnessing. In a genre where pacing and tension are everything, there’s no better way to get your audience on the edge of their seats.
So, next time you’re writing or watching an action-packed film, pay attention to the way that car chases are used—they might just be the best example of ‘In Medias Res’ in action.
—Silviya.Y
