Codes and Conventions of the Thriller Genre in Film

By Sarah Nurse

What is a thriller?

• A broad genre of literature, television and film, which is characterised by the mood it creates in audiences e.g. the feeling of suspense, anxiety or surprise.

• Within these films, information is often covered up, and techniques such as cliff-hangers are used so viewers are left wanting more and are practically on the ‘edge of their seats’ as the plot builds towards a climax.

• Usually, the plot will be villain-driven, whereby the antagonist presents various obstacles that the protagonist must overcome in order to get to the new equilibrium by the end of the film.

THEMES

mind gameskidnappings

investigations

paranoia

psychology

killers

stalking

captivitiesagents

romantic triangles

captivitiesconspiracies

Codes and Conventions:• Tension musicAlfred Hitchcock’s Psycho useshigh pitched music, which helps add Suspense and tension.

Whereas other sub-genres of thrillermay use faster-paced music, to create a different feeling of excitement.

• Low-key lighting (dark atmospheres)Often, low-key lighting, or shadows are used in thriller films in order to create a more dramatic effect because the characters are barely visible and the atmosphere seems somewhat mysterious. Examples of this would be I Am Legend and Psycho.

• FlashbacksFlashbacks confuse the audience and present a feeling of disorientation, which often matches the character’s feelings (e.g. Shutter Island).

• Different camera anglesThriller films use different types of camera angle in order to capture different emotions in different parts of the film. For example, in Shutter Island uses a wide range of angles, based on the parts of the film and how the characters are feeling.

Sub-genres:• Action thriller

• Comedy thriller

• Crime thriller

• Horror thriller

• Psychological thriller

• Supernatural thriller

Iconography:These are some typical symbolic representations you’d expect to see in a thriller film.

Confined/claustrophobic spaces – Buried Shadows – Nosferatu

Knives – Ex Machina Masks – The Purge

Thriller Narrative:Based on Todorov’s theory.

EQUILIBRIUM

DISRUPTION

REALISATION

RESTORED ORDER

NEW EQUILIBRIUM

The first part of the film, whereby everything is balanced and in order.

A problem will arise in the story to disrupt the balance and happiness.

The characters realise that something is wrong in the story

The characters will attempt to fix the problem.

The final part of the story, where balance is restored and the problem is resolved.

Characters:Based on Propp’s theory.

THE HERO

THE VILLAIN

THE DONOR

THE DISPATCHER

THE PRINCESS

Usually seeks something.

THE FALSE HERO

THE HELPER

Struggles against the hero.

Helps the hero or gives them something (magical object).

Perceived as good but emerges as evil.

Sends the hero on their way.

Helps the hero in their quest.

The person that the hero marries.

Evaluation:

Overall, this research that I have conducted about the codes and conventions of the thriller genre has helped me to understand the key elements that must be included in order for the film to be considered a thriller. I have also learnt that these codes and conventions help to make the thriller effective in creating tension for the audience and keeping them on edge.