10 Mysterious Movie Openings That Left You Begging For More

There are no two ways about it, A Clockwork Orange is a damn weird film. Not surprising, given that the source material is one of the most bizarre novels to ever be adapted to the screen, but such a transition was executed to perfection.

Dystopian futures are nothing particularly special in cinema anymore, with countless being the basis typically for young adult stories. Whereas the likes of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Elysium give at least some explanation and exposition, A Clockwork Orange did no such thing.

The opening shot of Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 thriller focuses on Alex DeLarge. As if the costume wasn’t weird enough, as the camera moves further away from the character’s unblinking, sinister gaze, it brings into view so many more aspects that ask so many more questions.

Alex’s droogs and their milk, the bizarre mannequins, other people seemingly standing guard, and Alex’s voiceover fully utilising the language created for the novel by Anthony Burgess gave the movie one of the most unique opening sequences in movie history. It was strange, and it was unknown, but it certainly drew audiences in for more, going on to earn itself the status of cult classic amid controversy and backlash.