Compare the individual and the crowd
Look at how faces, silhouettes, and repeated movement are used. A single figure invites a different kind of attention from a mass seen at a distance. Describe that shift before assigning a symbolic meaning.
Observe the environment
Empty streets, enclosed rooms, and cluttered backgrounds can structure the sense of threat. Ask how the setting controls routes, visibility, and the viewer's knowledge of the scene.
Keep interpretations specific
Connect an interpretation to a visible choice in the image or film. Avoid treating every example as an illustration of one social theme when its framing and tone suggest something different.