Forms and Conventions of a Thriller

Forms and Conventions of a Thriller


- A build up to the action
- Creation of fear/apprehension/unsettling feeling/confusion/doubts over a character.
- Dark, shadowy atmosphere (use of light and dark images).
- Establishing mood and atmosphere (use of light and dark images).
- Establishing mood and atmosphere throughout the film.
- Delay in showing the face of a significant character, or the action of an important event by first showing the hand of the character for instance or a reaction of someone watching the event.
- Creation of suspense using soundtrack music- eerie innocent music?
- Morally ambiguous central character - film noir (Seven)
- Murder encouraging suspecting audience.
- Realistic setting to create a sense of 'the unusual' occurring within a normal setting.
- Flashbacks
- Hero(ine) in situation of threat or struggle.
- Red Herrings (Hitchcock movies)
- Twists and unexpected turns (The Usual Suspects)
- Making and keeping the audience tense and on the edge of out seats.
- Making the audience think throughout the film; confuse them.
- Villain driven plot
- Fast pace.
- Digetic sounds (door creaking).