THRILLER

Genre research

PLOT

Generally thrillers show good and evil fighting against each

other, with suspense throughout the films. Usually the antagonist

interferes with the plot and creates a series of events that entail

danger. The identity of this character is known in the film. As a result

the protagonist must intervene with their plans.

NARRATIVE

The story line is mainly shown through the protagonists point of view, and due

to them having to intervene with the antagonist it follows events that they must

overcome. By doing this it allows the audience to become involved with the

sequence of the events and situations. However it can be angled at a different point

of view and this can be shown by the use of the antagonist and protagonist. This

enables us to see how they react and behave in different situations. Additionally

flashbacks can occur from the villains past experience and this helps the audience

empathize as to why they have the evil role.

CHARACTERS

The protagonist and antagonist are usually in distance of each

other. Heroes in thrillers usually have danger related jobs. For

example, policeman, fireman etc. or a normal person who has been

selected from daily life to be the one who tackles the danger and tries

to defeat it. Villains are stereotyped as men. They have a masculine

physique, with an atmosphere around them which creates uncertainty.

They are usually isolated from society and work alone.

CLOTHING

The types of clothing are usually stereotypical of that particular character. A

villain usually wears clothing to enhance his/her power. E.g. leather clothing and

usually the colour black is used. This to create the feeling of fear and also to link

with their personality. While innocent looking characters wear lighter colours to

connote certain aspects of themselves. The villain is contrasted to the hero and

made different. However there clothing is often kept in mystery and you usually

don’t see it until later on in the film towards the end. Occasionally red may be used

to draw attention, this to make them stand out from the main people. On the other

hand casual clothing

PROPS

Guns and knives etc., are usually the main props in a thriller, this to create

suspense in the film. The use of props can distinguish the antagonist or protagonist

depending.

Many other props within a thriller film uses aspects from other thriller films

such as the shiny knife, the white shower curtain, the dripping bathroom/kitchen

tap and blood (fake blood). Thriller films such as ' Psycho' , ' The Stepfather' and '

What Lies Beneath' borrow aspects of proms from each other. Also sometimes they

use usual props to make the audience be wary or question the use of them.

LOCATIONS

Thrillers take place mostly in ordinary suburbs and cities, however

sometimes they take place wholly or partly in exotic settings such as

foreign cities. This makes it more scary as it makes us believe it could

happen in our own homes or cities.

For example, ‘seven’ which was taken place in new york city.

‘sixth sense’ which was set in a typical town in America.