foil

i'm having trouble with how to use the word foil:

Another similarity is how the shot direction and editing in each sequence aids the viewer in interpreting the overall themes. Finally, I propose that those overall themes serve as foils against(?) each other.

would you say foils against? or foils for? or something completely different?

-thanks for your help-

Foil here in this sentence is a noun, meaning that each theme was a foil to the other as in a hindrance or setback to the other.

Foil is also a verb as in "she foiled (thwarted/hindered) my plans".

I don't think you can say "foil against" or "foil for" to mean some kind of action.

Hope that helps👁 Smile :)

steph123 said:

I'm having trouble with how to use the word foil:

Another similarity is how the shot direction and editing in each sequence aids the viewer in interpreting the overall themes. Finally, I propose that those overall themes serve as foils against(?) each other.

Would you say foils against? or foils for? or something completely different?

-thanks for your help-

In this context, I would say foils for each other.

Why?
Checking out the various OED definitions of foil, I find:
5. a. A thin leaf of some metal placed under a precious stone to increase its brilliancy or under some transparent substance to give it the appearance of a precious stone.

... leading to:
6. Anything that serves by contrast of colour or quality to adorn another thing or set it off to advantage.

So, shot direction and editing serve as foils for each other, each enhancing the quality of the other.