Thriller is a genre of film, that uses suspense, tension and excitement as the main elements. Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods giving them a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and/or terror. Thriller films tend to be adrenaline-rushing, gritty, rousing and fast-paced. There are usually many red herrings, plot twists and cliff-hangers within Thrillers.

Narrative Themes and Conventions.

Cinematography within the Thriller genre can consist of a variety of different camera shots and angles; these camera shots and angles ensure that the audience is continuously being dragged into the narrative and being entertained by the suspense and anticipation.A camera shot that is very common within the Thriller genre is the close-up shot. The close-up shot can be either of an object or person, this allows the audience to see figure expression or detail within the frame. An example of a close-up shot within a Thriller, would be during the opening sequence of ‘Seven’, in which there are close-up shots of tattered book, which indicates importance of the object to the audience. We also see the disturbing pictures within the book in detail, which expresses the psychotic personality and emotions within the narrative.Another typical camera shot within a Thriller would be the POV shot, this is a very emotional shot which shows the intentions of the character through their own perspective. This allows the audience to feel part of the action within the narrative and feel a more personal connection with the character. An example of the POV shot in a Thriller is in ‘Shutter Island’, when Leonardo Di Caprio is searching the island and sees a fiery glow from one of the caves within the cliff. This allows the audience to see what the character sees and therefore be a part of the narrative.

The high and low angle shots are two more typical shots used in Thrillers; the high angle shot allows the character to seem vulnerable and gives the sense of danger to the audience, while the low angle shot makes the character seem dominant to the audience. These are both used throughout the ‘Terminator’ films, in which Arnold Schwarzenegger as the ‘Terminator’ is very often shown as the dominant figure by a low angle shot, and Sarah and John Connor who are being hunted are shown by a high angle shot to express their vulnerability.

Mise-en-scene, which is French for “placing on stage”, refers to the generic conventions that appear before the camera. There are many typical settings for Thrillers, for example they are often urban settings, however, a dark and more sinister side is revealed as the narrative continues. However, they can be completely abnormal settings such as a computer generated setting, like in ‘The Matrix’.

Lighting and colour- With the use of lighting, the audience can assume the genre by the way the lighting is displayed, for example, within the Thriller Genre, there is often grey or a sickly green lighting in order to create an unpleasant atmosphere; for example during the opening credits to ‘Seven’, the lighting is very dark and creates shadows in order to express the dark and dangerous themes within the narrative and also compliments the actions that are shown within the frame, which are disturbing – the cutting off of finger prints.

Costumes and Make-up/Hair - The use of costume and make up make actors appear lifelike to their character, how we present the character reflects on how the audience perceive them. Costume is a style of dress, including garments, accessories and hairstyle. In relation to thriller films, the female character is usually made-up to look fearful and to show tear; smudged make up can be used to display her emotions. An example from a Thriller film of great costumes and make-up, would be in the opening scene of ‘Shutter Island’, as Leonardo Di Caprio is shown as a detective the camel over coat and typical 1950’s detective, (iconography). He also has make-up to make him look ill as he is feeling sea-sick.

Props - Props are object used by the actors performing in a film; depending on the props used these objects can help determine the narrative, identity of character and genre. Iconography can be a typical part of the props within the Thriller narrative, for example a note. An example of iconography/props used in a Thriller would be the note in “Brick”.

Facial expressions and body language - By the use of these elements, we are able to capture the emotion of the characters. This includes the gestures, postures, and facial expressions by which a person can make clear by various physical, mental, or emotional actions. With the non-verbal communication the audience is able to assume characteristics about the character and how they are feeling by not being directly told. For example, in the Thriller genre, we often see characters who are very scared by their figure expression. E.g. in ‘Seven’, when Morgan Freeman opens the box and looks terrified at the contents.

In the Thriller genre, there is not a specific type of sound that we expect to hear; Thrillers can feature both diegetic, (sound that has a source within the frame), and Non-diegetic sound, (sound that has been added during the editing process). An example of diegetic sound within a Thriller, would be in ‘Reservoir Dogs’, during the final shootout scene in which we see all the characters shoot each other, and hear the gun shots. An example of non-diegetic sound, would be the unnerving music played in ‘Jaws’, whenever the shark is about to attack.

However, there are two types of sound that suit the Thriller genre and allow the audience to feel the tension and atmosphere within the narrative. One of these is pleonastic sound, which is sound that emphasises an action within a scene. An example of this would be in ‘Psycho’, when the screeching sound effect has been added to the stabbing motion, in order to emphasise the slicing in the shower murder scene.

There is also contrapuntal sound, which is when the sound contradicts the scene, which makes the audience feel unsettled and disturbed. An example of contrapuntal sound in a Thriller, would be in ‘Reservoir Dog’s’, during the torture scene in which Michael Madsen is cutting off a policeman’s ear while playing ‘Stuck in the middle with you’, which is an upbeat song, which is a juxtaposition to the disturbing action that is being shown.

Silence within the Thriller genre is also greatly effective to create a mood, for example, silence is used in ‘Shutter Island’, when Leonardo Di Caprio is searching a dark prison, which the audience would find scary because of the lack of sound that compliments the scene.

The editing within the Thriller genre can use a huge range of different techniques – depending on how the director chooses to film his movie.

Firstly, Thrillers can feature the graphic match technique, in which the relationship between a couple of shots is similar, which allows the continuity of the narrative to flow easier. An example of this within a Thriller would be in ‘Brick’, in which the address details on a note, fades into another scene of the sign which has the same address details on it.

Another technique that features within the Thriller genre would be the eye line match, in which the camera shows a character looking at something off screen and then shows what he is looking at through their point of view.

The 180 degree rule is also an editing technique used in the Thriller genre. This is when there are clear spatial relations and on screen direction within each shot, there is an invisible line running through part of the scene in which the camera never crosses. This is used in most mainstream films.

Shot reverse shot: To show interaction between two characters, camera shows one person, then the other, usually an associated POV shot. An example of this within a Thriller would be in ‘Shutter Island’, when the detective is having a conversation with one of the members on staff in an interview and the camera jumps from one to the other.

Continuity Editing is key within most genres, however, compliments the Thriller genre perfectly as it allows the audience to watch the film without noticing the cutting from camera shots. However, If the audience does notice the editing, then this is deliberately created by the director who is using this technique to create an atmosphere.

Thrillers are often hybrids or sub-genres - there are action-thrillers, crime-caper thrillers, western-thrillers, film-noir thrillers, even romantic comedy-thrillers. Another closely-related genre is the horror film genre. Thriller and suspense films are virtually synonymous and interchangeable categorizations. They are types of films known to promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension. The acclaimed Master of Suspense is Alfred Hitchcock. Spy films may be considered a type of thriller/suspense film: For example “Casino Royale”.

By having hybrids or sub-genres, it allows the films to reach a far wider audience, for example a couple might wish to go to see a film together, but one of them likes Thrillers and the other likes Westerns, therefore they could go and see a Western-Thriller as a compromise, for example “3:10 to Yuma”.

Typical characters that feature within a Thriller include:

Antagonists – Convicts, criminals, stalkers, assassins, psychopaths. The antagonists’ identity is often hidden, or is a seemingly unnatural being that cannot die or be over powered. Also, they are very often highly intelligent; for example ‘Le Chiffre’ in “Casino Royale”.

Protagonist – Innocent victims, tough hero. The protagonist can often have a side-kick, for example a cop duo; their personalities usually clash but they work well together. Sometimes they have a dark past and are seemingly chasing something. Furthermore, the protagonist can be an ordinary person who is often in the wrong place at the wrong time; for example ‘Max’, in “Collateral”.

The donor/the helper – Helps the protagonist, sometimes gives them something that is essential for the restoration of equilibrium; For example ‘Q’ in the Bond films.

The Victim – The character most threatened and requires help from the protagonist. Usually saved during the climax of the film. Typically a woman or weak individual, for example ‘Solitaire’ in “Live and Let Die”.

The dispatcher – sends the hero on their task, e.g. ‘M’ in the Bond films.

The false hero – appears to be good, but towards the climax shows their darker side. For example; ‘006’ in “Goldeneye”.