Thriller Conventions

A group of us mind-mapped the conventions and codes of Thrillers and this is some that we picked out.

A Thriller story normally includes these conventions:

• Tension and suspense is built up throughout the whole film.
• The lighting is normally darkened and muted, to give a sinister and eery effect.
• Non diegetic soundtracks that add to the tension of a film, use a number of instruments normally heavy strings.
• Setting and atmosphere is in a dark place.
• There is normally a vulnerable victim, most likely to be a female or a child.
• A serious villain that carries the tension of the film.
• There is normally a twist in the plot that throws the audience to what they think the outcome will be.
• A crime at the core of the narrative (often murder, rape or kidnap).
• Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations.
• Narrative enigma.
• Themes of mirroring and forshadowing
  
• Protagonist with a problem which is exploited by the antagonist is a common theme where the Protagonists have to solve it.
• 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.
• Likely to leave a few cliff hangers to keep the audience "on the edge of their seats"
• In other genres, the antagonist is not normally identified but in thrillers the antagonist is often known throughout the film.