Codes and Conventions of Codes and Conventions of Thriller FilmsThriller Films
By Nathalie OsadaBy Nathalie Osada
Thriller films usually include:Thriller films usually include:
Dim lightingDim lighting A sense of violenceA sense of violence Eerie charactersEerie characters
The main character being in dangerThe main character being in danger A story plot which is designed to scare and A story plot which is designed to scare and
make the viewer think make the viewer think Sadomasochism Sadomasochism
Sadism Sadism
List of Thriller filmsList of Thriller films
Panic RoomPanic Room Memento Memento Hard CandyHard Candy Man on fireMan on fire Red EyeRed Eye
Flight planFlight plan PsychoPsycho
Example of Thriller openingExample of Thriller opening
Name of the institution e.g. DreamWorksName of the institution e.g. DreamWorks Name of the productionName of the production
Name of the director/producerName of the director/producer Name of the most famous actor/actress Name of the most famous actor/actress
starring in the thriller filmstarring in the thriller film Title of the Thriller Title of the Thriller
Examples of Thriller Openings Examples of Thriller Openings
Panic Room:Panic Room:
Institutional context at the beginning of the Institutional context at the beginning of the openingopening
Eire music is then introduced, which starts to Eire music is then introduced, which starts to build the tension build the tension
The location is established (Times Square New The location is established (Times Square New York)York)
The characters are introduced The characters are introduced
Examples of Thriller OpeningsExamples of Thriller Openings
Red eye:Red eye:
Institutional context (DreamWorks)Institutional context (DreamWorks) Creepy musicCreepy music
Establishes actors/actresses names, special effect used Establishes actors/actresses names, special effect used makes the audience feel like they are being pulled into makes the audience feel like they are being pulled into
the filmthe film Title of the film is shownTitle of the film is shown
Establishes character, however there is a sense of Establishes character, however there is a sense of mystery surrounding her and the locationmystery surrounding her and the location