Thriller Genre Analysis

Genre ConventionsThe creation of tension and suspense within the main part of the film, leading up to a climax is critical in Thrillers. This helps to build excitement within the audience whilst they are watching. This is done by:

Diegetic breathing sounds

Suspense filled music – starting off slow but speeding up.

Eerie sound effects

The design of the storyline often causes the audience to think that it is something that could happen to them – building fear and anxiety.

Low key lighting

Jump Cuts

The Beginning of the GenreOne of the earliest Thrillers to date is ‘The Lodger’ (1926) by Alfred Hitchcock, a Jack the Ripper style

story. The film is about a mysterious man who become the lodger of a family in London, who is suspected of

being ‘the avenger’, a serial killer that is loose in London.

Modern Thriller‘The Woman In Black’ directed by James Watkins is a

well known modern Thriller. This film is about a widowed lawyer who is sent to settle the affairs of a recently

deceased woman, only to discover the vengeful ghost that haunts her house.

Genre FactsThe highest domestic total grossing Thriller film was

Fatal Attraction at $156,645,693. This film also earned a worldwide total gross of $320,145,693. Fatal

Attraction is about a married mans one time affair that results in his mistress becoming increasingly obsessed

with him to the point of putting his, and his families lives in danger.

Genre FactsThe top three overall grossing Thriller movies are:

1. Fatal Attraction

2. Sleeping with the Enemy

3. The Hands That Rock the Cradle