Thriller narrative

1. Conventions of
Narratives in
Thriller Films

2. The Narrative
As stated earlier in my research, not all thriller
films do follow the same conventions and
narrative structure as each other. Having said
this, there are some techniques and some
conventions that are commonly found in the
thriller genre. This is due to the fact that thriller
is a long standing genre that actually
originated from thriller literature. As a result
there are literary features that are carried on
into the film narratives.

3. Stream of Consciousness
The term was coined by psychologist William James and refers to a narrative
method in which the narrator tries to discover and unpick the emotions and
thoughts that go through the characters mind. It is used to try and reveal
more into the characters personality.
Thriller novelist, Gillian Flynn, who also wrote the novel Gone Girl, wrote
Dark Places using elements of ‘stream of consciousness’ through an indirect
monologue speech style that allowed the reader to gain an insight into the
thoughts and feelings of many different characters in the book.
This narrative style has been replicated in the thriller film genre and it has
allowed for the audience to understand deeply into the thoughts and feelings
of the characters. This style is used specifically in psychological thrillers as
these specialise in manipulating the audience and making them question the
morals of the characters shown so by allowing them to understand the
characters thoughts, the audience is able to become more engrossed and
infatuated in the film narrative.

4. Back Story and Complex
Character
In many thriller narrative, in particular
psychological thrillers, the protagonist and
antagonist characters tend to have complex and
deeply revealing backgrounds that are left to be
unravelled as the film goes on. This entices the
audience as they become intrigued to know what
it is that has caused the characters to be how
they are. This is often because many characters
seem to be mentally ill or in need of help and we
find out why this is the case as the film unfolds.