Thriller
Genre Conventions - Content
The thriller genre typically revolves around high feelings of tension and suspense, with the purpose of keeping the audience at the edge of their seats throughout the entire duration of the film. In these productions, the main character's life is usually at stake because they are involved, knowingly or unknowingly, in a dangerous situation. They are fast paced and can include lots of action to progress the narrative.
The narrative of the film generally contains one main objective the protagonist must fulfill. The concept of a secret is crucial to forming the story because it creates anticipation for the audience as they wait for the big reveal. The stories are complex, and may involve multiple story lines with the addition of plot twists that change the direction of the narrative. There is a grand build up to the climax which is designed to make the audience want to keep watching. Cliff hangers may also be utilized to amplify the suspense, often occurring at the end of a chapter. Flashbacks are yet another plot device that may be used to provide a backstory to the characters.
Common themes within the thriller genre include: kidnapping, murder, captivity, ransoms, investigations, conspiracy, obsession, psychology, pursuit, and terrorism.
Genre Conventions - Production Techniques
In terms of the mise-en-scene, the costume design is never over the top since thrillers tend to convey a more realistic tone. The villain is usually wearing darker colors such as black to symbolize their wickedness, whereas the victim will be dressed in brighter colors such as white to display their innocence. Low-key lighting and shadows may be utilized to create an eerie tone for the film and make the villain seem more frightening. A darker color palette may be present to create a gloomy atmosphere.
The non-diegetic sound could include a slow orchestral score to assist in building up tension, along with fast paced music to create a feeling of anxiety. On the other hand, the diegetic sounds that can be associated with this genre are heavy breathing, foot steps, and slamming doors.
Institutional Conventions - How Is Genre Marketed
Thriller films target both males and females, mostly around the young adult age. In terms of marketing, the trailers for these films use similar techniques to create anticipation in the viewers, such as fast-paced cuts and ominous music. The central mystery of the story is introduced with minimal detail to influence the audience to go out and watch the movie. They may also end in a some form of a cliff hanger. Additionally, thriller movie posters are usually filled with dark colors and typically show the protagonist(s) of the film in low-key lighting.
Horror and thriller films share similar characteristics, but the main aspect that differentiates them is that horror films market fear, while thriller films market suspense.
Film Example - Psycho
Alfred Hitchcock’s
Psycho is a psychological thriller, with a storyline centered around a young woman traveling to California and checking into the Bates Motel. The common thriller theme of murder is present, as the woman is killed by a man with two personalities. The film has scenes in which the murderer is psychoanalyzed at the end of the movie explaining the rest of the story, which is filled with various plot twists. Common motifs in thriller films, such as shadows and mirrors, are heavily used in this film as well. The entire film is suspenseful due to the build up to each of the murder scenes, and the mystery of the murderer’s character.
Film Example - Gone Girl
David Fincher’s
Gone Girl involves a married man whose wife went missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. His innocence is questioned as media outlets begin to believe that he was involved in her disappearance and possible murder. Flashbacks are efficiently used to show the early days of the two main character’s romance, along with each of their backstories. The film is centered around the investigation of the case and includes plot devices common to thrillers, such as plot twists, suspense, and red herrings. The color palette is dark and cool to represent the coldness/bleakness of the disturbing narrative.
Gone Girl intrigues the audience from start to finish, with a big twist occurring halfway through the film which takes the film in a completely different direction, making the viewer question everything.
Other Thriller Movies
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| The Silence of the Lambs, 1991 |
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| Black Swan, 2010 |
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| Get Out, 2017 |
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| Memento, 2000 |
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| Seven, 1995 |
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| Zodiac, 2007 |
Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho is a psychological thriller, with a storyline centered around a young woman traveling to California and checking into the Bates Motel. The common thriller theme of murder is present, as the woman is killed by a man with two personalities. The film has scenes in which the murderer is psychoanalyzed at the end of the movie explaining the rest of the story, which is filled with various plot twists. Common motifs in thriller films, such as shadows and mirrors, are heavily used in this film as well. The entire film is suspenseful due to the build up to each of the murder scenes, and the mystery of the murderer’s character.
David Fincher’s Gone Girl involves a married man whose wife went missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. His innocence is questioned as media outlets begin to believe that he was involved in her disappearance and possible murder. Flashbacks are efficiently used to show the early days of the two main character’s romance, along with each of their backstories. The film is centered around the investigation of the case and includes plot devices common to thrillers, such as plot twists, suspense, and red herrings. The color palette is dark and cool to represent the coldness/bleakness of the disturbing narrative. Gone Girl intrigues the audience from start to finish, with a big twist occurring halfway through the film which takes the film in a completely different direction, making the viewer question everything.
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