Thriller Research: Conventions

A thriller film needs to stick to a certain set of conventions; this way it will keep the viewer watching and on the edge of their seat. These conventions include:

• Suspense and tension needs to be built up throughout the film to keep the viewer guessing what will happen next.
• Each film will usually have a victim for the view to sympathise/worry about throughout the film; usually a women or child.
• The beginning of the film will usually foreshawdow what is going to happen later on in the film.
• The lighting is normally darkened and muted, to give a sinister and eery effect.
• A narrative enigma
• A sinister villian adds extra tension to the film.
• Usually a crime for a core narrative to film to keep it dark.
• Usually over the top and extraordinary events occur.
• Set in atmospheric dark places.
• A twist throughout or at the end that will throw the viewer completely of track.
• A protagonist with a problem can be exploited by the antagonist and the protagonist must solve it.
• Non diegetic soundtracks add suspense to a film which can nerve rack a viewer.
• Title sequence sometimes reflects on the character's psychological state.
• There is often a scene near the end of the film where the protagonist is in danger and this makes the audience wonder if the protagonist or antagonist will win in the end.
• Antagonists are predominant through the genre of thrillers.
• Sometimes films are left at a cliff hanger to leave the audience on the edge of their seat.