Conventions Of A Thriller Film

Today the genre of thriller is diversely split up into different sub sections. There are many types such as:

Action Thriller
Conspiracy Thriller
Crime Thriller
Disaster Thriller
Horror Thriller
Legal Thriller
Medical Thriller
Political Thriller
Psychological Thriller
Supernatural Thriller
Techno Thriller

Although they are split up in to sub-sections there are a few things that they still include that can identify them as a thriller film. The storyline in thriller films usually have a mystery, crime or murder that have been committed that the antagonist (the 'baddy') and protagonist (the 'goody') are somehow entwined into.

In the film the protagonist's weak points will be exploited by the antagonist showing them have an experience of near death, usually near the end of the film. There will also be scenes of the protagonist in turmoil where he or she will be degraded to feelin helpless and isolated. They will be seen to overcome it by a miracle or self-strength, which will then lead to them finding the antagonist and defeating him.

The narrative is sometimes used to create false paths and clues, or enigmas that the audience will expect to see resolved at the end of the film. Usually within the narrative little clues are revealed to the viewers that build up to a climax. In the opening sequence, one or maye a series of enigmas are unleashed, showing the audience what the film is about, but also to show what will in fact be resolved at the end of the film.

Mise en scene is used in the thriller films to enhane the persona of good and bad. The mise en scene around the protagonist will usually be bright colours. Conventionally the colour white signifies good and black is bad, but in thriller films today this is mixed up.


This image shows batman, a faous character who is in fact a protagonist, but his face is covered and he is suited in black.



These two images are from G.I Joe. These two characters are also unconventionally suited as the character wearing white is the antagonist n the character suited in black is actually the protgonist.

Props and costumes also help to show good and bad, eg the attire of the character, the objects in the roiomn with the charaters and also the weapons they may or may not carry. Antagonists are usually seen to carry harmful weapons whereas protagonists are not seen with weapons unless defending themselves.

The title of a thriller film will connote to us an aspect of the antagonist or protagonists psychological state. Films like 'Disturbia', or 'Insomnia' demonstrates this.

There are also themes present in thriller films such as identity, voyeurism and revenge.