Kubrick stare

Malcolm McDowell (in character as Alex) doing a Kubrick stare in A Clockwork Orange. Far Out describes McDowell's gaze as almost "acknowledging the audience’s presence".[1]

The Kubrick stare is a directorial technique used to portray insane or unstable film characters. Named after director Stanley Kubrick, who frequently utilized it, the technique involves the actor staring directly into the camera whilst tilting their head downwards. The stare can create the illusion that the actor is looking past the camera and directly at the audience.

The Kubrick stare has been described as one of Kubrick's visual signatures, but has also been used by other directors, both before and after Kubrick. It has been deemed "one of cinema's most recognizable shots".[2]

  1. ^ Ferrier, Aimee (2023-03-22). "The meaning behind the trademark Stanley Kubrick stare". Far Out. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  2. ^ Collin, Robbie (2023-08-25). "Why Trump's 'Kubrick Stare' mugshot is straight out of the horror film playbook". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-06-29.